The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The cost of the original programme that replaced Parliament\u2019s copper wire telephone system with voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony, including the Microsoft Polycom handsets, was £8.3 million. It was necessary to update the telephony as the previous telephone system was end of life and can no longer be supported or maintained.<\/p>
Members and other Parliamentary users with visual impairments can use speech recognition software to use Teams. Support is available from the Parliamentary Digital Service for anyone requiring help to use the system. As part of implementation of a new telephony solution for Parliament in the first half of 2024 the Voice Programme team is exploring options for more user-friendly telephone handsets including accessible solutions for visually impaired users.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2506", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-19T13:55:18.263Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "204"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parliamentary Estate: Telephone Systems"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the cost to public funds of replacing the Siemens telephone system on the parliamentary estate with the Microsoft Polycom system; and what plans they have to replace the standard desk telephone sets with ones which are easier to use by those with impaired visual capability.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1854", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Marlesford"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Marlesford"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1470890", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1470890/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have introduced the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill into Parliament. This Bill includes a provision to reduce the number of pet dogs, cats and ferrets that can travel in one non-commercial movement from five per person to five per vehicle, or three per person if they are a foot passenger.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Bill also includes a power to make regulations about the importation of pet animals into Great Britain for the purpose of promoting animal welfare. This will allow us to bring in new restrictions on the commercial import and non-commercial movement of pets on welfare grounds such as: increasing the minimum age that dogs can be moved for non-commercial purposes, or commercially imported, into Great Britain; prohibiting the importation of heavily pregnant dams, and dogs which have been subjected to low welfare practices such as ear cropping or tail docking. Under our proposals volumes would drop further if animals can no longer travel into Great Britain if they are not compliant with these new restrictions.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Bill was successful in obtaining a carry-over motion on 25 April and was reintroduced in Parliament on 11 May 2022 following the Queens speech. We are preparing for Commons report stage which will take place as soon as parliamentary time allows.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-06-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-06-29T16:41:30.6Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-06-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animals: Imports"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to reduce the number of animals that can be brought into the UK in non-commercial vehicles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4395", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Hayman of Ullock"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1332162", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1332162/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
HM Government has made no formal assessment of the potential use of import substitution in the UK. However, this Government pursues a free trade policy that is open and fair and is a strong supporter of the rules-based international system.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4876", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Grimstone of Boscobel"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-06-22T13:32:41.63Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "202"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Imports"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential use of import substitution in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4216", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Empey"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Empey"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753301", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753301/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Ministry of Defence, the lead Government Department for the refurbishment of the Wideawake runway, continues to liaise closely and regularly with the US Department of Defense and State Department regarding their plans for the interim repair work and a full resurfacing programme. The UK Government continues to work with the US to scope options to bring forward the refurbishment, but due to the remote nature of Ascension Island options are limited by logistical constraints.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-27T14:05:47.097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the US regarding bringing forward repairs to the Wideawake airfield runway on Ascension.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/248", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jones of Cheltenham"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/533024", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/533024/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Turkish Government have said that over 300,000 people have fled their homes in the region. Our thoughts are with the victims of the PKK terrorist attacks, and the civilians who have been caught up in the violence. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and the Minister for Europe, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), and our Ambassador to Turkey, have discussed with the Turkish government the importance of respecting human rights and avoiding civilian casualties in the fight against terrorism. We believe the first responsibility for investigating any alleged violations falls to Turkey; and that the PKK needs to cease violence in order to create the conditions for political resolution of the difficulties in the south east.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-07-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-07-14T14:36:02.733Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-07-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ascension Island: Airports"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey about the impact on the civilian population of current military operations in Lice and adjoining neighbourhoods in southeast Turkey; and whether they plan to propose a fact-finding visit to the region by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to investigate reports of widespread displacement of people from their homes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/386880", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/386880/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) provides direct funding to both the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect and the joint UN office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. This funding assists these organisations in their work to consolidate the concept of the Responsibility to Protect by continuing to build the institutional architecture to prevent mass atrocity crimes and to strengthen the capacity of countries, regional and sub-regional organisations and civil society to protect populations. In addition, the CSSF funds a wide range of activities regionally that, while not always explicitly labelled as atrocity prevention, nonetheless contribute to the prevention of atrocities. These include projects on preventing sexual violence, reducing intergroup tensions, strengthening justice systems and the rule of law, security sector reform, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-07-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-07-13T13:23:48.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-07-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conflict, Stability and Security Fund"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what arrangements they have made to ensure that their Conflict, Stability and Security Fund provides adequate and effective support for both their responsibility to protect and their commitments to preventing atrocities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1660", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Judd"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Judd"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/76647", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/76647/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We want to see more and more people using public transport - one of the key ways of encouraging this is to make sure it is a safe option. The transport industry, local authorities, the police and others are already investing in, and undertaking, wide-ranging initiatives to improve the personal security of public transport passengers and staff and to keep our public transport systems as low crime environments.<\/p>
<\/p>
However, the Government is not readily able to increase passenger services in commercial transport markets. For example, decisions about bus services outside London are largely a matter for the private sector. Equally, it is difficult to see that any such increase would have a positive effect on matters of personal security.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1557", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Kramer"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Kramer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-14T13:32:11.9474396Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to improve or increase transport services at night to ensure the safety and security of passengers from offensive behaviour and disorder, with particular reference to the safety of women.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1138", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Carlile of Berriew"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Carlile of Berriew"} ], "uin" : "HL989"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 7, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }