Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>Government has regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of subjects, including 5G spectrum bands (including 3.6-3.8 GHz band). Government supports Ofcom's recent consultation document on ‘Enabling Opportunities for Innovation’ and is continuing to engage with stakeholders on the potential impact of a dynamic, flexible spectrum sharing model.</p><p> </p><p>In February the Government published a consultation on its Statement of Strategic Priorities which reaffirms our support for flexible shared spectrum models and the release of additional public sector spectrum are some of Government’s strategic priorities. This is key to helping unlock new 5G use cases and enabling innovative solutions to connectivity challenges, including improving connectivity in rural areas.</p>Lord Ashton of Hyde2019-05-17HL15537HL15538false2019-05-17T12:25:25.367Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-05-075G2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of facilitating flexible use of the 5G spectrum by community and independent networks in areas where it is allocated to mobile operators but remains unused.falseLord Griffiths of Burry PortHL15536Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>Government has regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of subjects, including 5G spectrum bands (including 3.6-3.8 GHz band). Government supports Ofcom's recent consultation document on ‘Enabling Opportunities for Innovation’ and is continuing to engage with stakeholders on the potential impact of a dynamic, flexible spectrum sharing model.</p><p> </p><p>In February the Government published a consultation on its Statement of Strategic Priorities which reaffirms our support for flexible shared spectrum models and the release of additional public sector spectrum are some of Government’s strategic priorities. This is key to helping unlock new 5G use cases and enabling innovative solutions to connectivity challenges, including improving connectivity in rural areas.</p>Lord Ashton of Hyde2019-05-17HL15536HL15538false2019-05-17T12:25:25.427Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-05-075G2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Ofcom about the allocation of the 3.6–3.8GHz 5G spectrum band; and what steps they have taken to ensure the band is accessible in areas outside the mobile operators’ rollout plans.falseLord Griffiths of Burry PortHL15537Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>Government has regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of subjects, including 5G spectrum bands (including 3.6-3.8 GHz band). Government supports Ofcom's recent consultation document on ‘Enabling Opportunities for Innovation’ and is continuing to engage with stakeholders on the potential impact of a dynamic, flexible spectrum sharing model.</p><p> </p><p>In February the Government published a consultation on its Statement of Strategic Priorities which reaffirms our support for flexible shared spectrum models and the release of additional public sector spectrum are some of Government’s strategic priorities. This is key to helping unlock new 5G use cases and enabling innovative solutions to connectivity challenges, including improving connectivity in rural areas.</p>Lord Ashton of Hyde2019-05-17HL15536HL15537false2019-05-17T12:25:25.477Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-05-075G: Rural Areas2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of a dynamic model of spectrum allocation for 5G network coverage in rural communities.falseLord Griffiths of Burry PortHL15538Northern Ireland Office<p>The information below has been provided by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland. The table shows how many proxy votes were applied for in each local government district for the local elections in Northern Ireland on 2 May and what this represents as a percentage of (a) the total electorate and (b) the votes polled in each of those districts.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Local Council</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Proxy</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Eligible Electorate*</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>% Eligible Electorate</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Votes Polled*</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>% Votes Polled</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Antrim and Newtownabbey</strong></p></td><td><p>205</p></td><td><p>98,899</p></td><td><p>0.21%</p></td><td><p>48,526</p></td><td><p>0.42%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Ards and North Down</strong></p></td><td><p>150</p></td><td><p>116,536</p></td><td><p>0.13%</p></td><td><p>50,866</p></td><td><p>0.29%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon</strong></p></td><td><p>414</p></td><td><p>147,977</p></td><td><p>0.28%</p></td><td><p>79,309</p></td><td><p>0.52%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Belfast</strong></p></td><td><p>1533</p></td><td><p>224,628</p></td><td><p>0.68%</p></td><td><p>114,664</p></td><td><p>1.34%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Causeway Coast and Glens</strong></p></td><td><p>575</p></td><td><p>98,930</p></td><td><p>0.58%</p></td><td><p>51,212</p></td><td><p>1.12%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Derry and Strabane</strong></p></td><td><p>1174</p></td><td><p>107,975</p></td><td><p>1.09%</p></td><td><p>61,798</p></td><td><p>1.90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Fermanagh and Omagh</strong></p></td><td><p>1601</p></td><td><p>84,313</p></td><td><p>1.90%</p></td><td><p>52,620</p></td><td><p>3.04%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Lisburn and Castlereagh</strong></p></td><td><p>127</p></td><td><p>102,151</p></td><td><p>0.12%</p></td><td><p>50,747</p></td><td><p>0.25%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Mid and East Antrim</strong></p></td><td><p>227</p></td><td><p>98,410</p></td><td><p>0.23%</p></td><td><p>47,383</p></td><td><p>0.48%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Mid Ulster</strong></p></td><td><p>1090</p></td><td><p>100,238</p></td><td><p>1.09%</p></td><td><p>60,180</p></td><td><p>1.81%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Newry Mourne and Down</strong></p></td><td><p>986</p></td><td><p>125,496</p></td><td><p>0.79%</p></td><td><p>70,428</p></td><td><p>1.40%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Totals</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>8082</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,305,553</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>-</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>687,733</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>-</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Source: <a href="https://www.eoni.org.uk/getmedia/8b059a6e-c7bc-4644-ae35-9dbf293d0665/Local-Council-Elections-2019-Turnout-final" target="_blank">https://www.eoni.org.uk/getmedia/8b059a6e-c7bc-4644-ae35-9dbf293d0665/Local-Council-Elections-2019-Turnout-final</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p>Lord Duncan of Springbank2019-05-17false2019-05-17T12:28:39.307Z21Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland2019-05-07Absent Voting: Northern Ireland2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government how many registered voters applied for proxy votes in each local government district in Northern Ireland elections on 2 May; and what percentage of the (1) total electorate, and (2) votes cast, that represents in each of those districts.falseLord Maginnis of DrumglassHL15556Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs<p>The Government is engaged with a number of projects to further our understanding of the impact of beavers on the environment and flooding. We also maintain contact with the Scottish Government to learn from its experience on the River Tay.</p><p> </p><p>The trial reintroduction of beavers on the River Otter in Devon, which started in 2015, will conclude in 2020. The latest annual report from this trial, undertaken by the Devon Wildlife Trust, highlights assessments made on water flows and flood risks. Defra will assess the River Otter trial in 2020 and will seek advice from Natural England.</p><p> </p><p>The Forestry Commission is currently undertaking two enclosed trial releases which will contribute to our understanding of the impacts of beavers on water flow and surrounding ecology.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency is working with a number of projects that are gathering evidence from beaver trial sites to improve our understanding of the opportunities and implications for flood risk management. Natural England and the Environment Agency are working with the University of Exeter to understand how beavers affect water flow in rivers. The results of these trials will inform decisions on future reintroductions of beavers in England</p>Lord Gardiner of Kimble2019-05-17false2019-05-17T12:26:25.56Z13Environment, Food and Rural AffairsEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs2019-05-02Beavers2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the introduction of beavers in the UK; and of the risk of flooding as a result of their introduction.falseBaroness Kennedy of CradleyHL15503Foreign and Commonwealth Office<p>The Maltese Government has provided reassurances both in public and private that all efforts are being made to ensure justice will be served in this case. The Maltese Government have made clear that they will not consider a public enquiry while judicial processes are ongoing. The British Government respects this decision and awaits the outcome of investigations.</p><p> </p>Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon2019-05-17false2019-05-17T12:51:45.087Z16Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeForeign and Commonwealth Office2019-05-07Daphne Caruana Galizia2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what assurances they have (1) sought, and (2) received from the government of Malta that they will establish an independent public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.falseBaroness HelicHL15541Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs<p>Upland farmers are eligible to receive payments under the Common Agricultural Policy's Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). We will pay Direct Payments for the 2019 scheme year on the same basis as for 2018 and plan to allocate the money paid in Direct Payments for 2020 in much the same way that we do now.</p><p> </p><p>Upland farmers can also apply for a Countryside Stewardship agreement, and many receive support through Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship. The current round of Countryside Stewardship is open for applications until 31 July. This includes a specific Wildlife offer for Upland farmers. Capital grants are also available through the Hedgerow and Boundaries grant, which closed for applications on 3 May.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the Parliament, expected in 2022. The figure includes all EU and Exchequer funding provided for farm support under both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. Furthermore, all Pillar 2 agreements signed by 31 December 2020 will be funded for their lifetime.</p>Lord Gardiner of Kimble2019-05-17false2019-05-17T12:27:30.933Z13Environment, Food and Rural AffairsEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs2019-05-02Hill Farming2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to hill farmers.falseBaroness Kennedy of CradleyHL15504Foreign and Commonwealth Office<p>The UK takes its arms export responsibilities seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. We do not export equipment where we assess there is a clear risk that it might be used for internal repression.</p><p>We follow the situation in Papua closely. The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific set out our concerns about violence in Papua and reports of alleged human rights violations by the security forces at a Westminster Hall debate on 8 May. The Minister raised concerns about the situation in Papua with the Indonesian Ambassador earlier this year. We will continue to press the Indonesian authorities to strengthen their human rights protections.</p><p></p>Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon2019-05-17false2019-05-17T13:05:40.557Z16Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeForeign and Commonwealth Office2019-05-09Indonesia: Arms Trade2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Indonesia to ensure that British-supplied arms are not used for internal repression in West Papua.falseLord LexdenHL15632Home Office<p>Asset Freezing is the responsibility of the FCO and HM Treasury, information on individuals whose assets have been frozen can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-financial-sanctions-implementation.</p><p>The Government has a long-established practice of not routinely commenting on the details of individual immigration cases.</p>Baroness Williams of Trafford2019-05-17false2019-05-17T11:08:20.127Z1Home OfficeHome Office2019-05-02Jamal Khashoggi2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have frozen the assets of, and barred visas for, those Saudi nationals and their family members who have been identified as having been involved in, or as having been accessories to, the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.falseBaroness Kennedy of The ShawsHL15516Department of Health and Social Care<p>Departmental officials are in regular contact with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England about a range of issues, including progress in discussions about a potential managed access agreement for Spinraza (nusinersen). Ministers have also held meetings with Biogen, NICE and NHS England on a number of occasions, at which the availability of Spinraza was discussed.</p><p>NHS England and NICE have made stakeholders and the public aware of the outcome of its appraisal committee meeting and NICE is now able to recommend the use of Spinraza for National Health Service patients in England, subject to a managed access agreement agreed between NHS England and Biogen. The final appraisal document will be published in due course.</p><p> </p>Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford2019-05-17HL15576false2019-05-17T11:07:46.673Z17Health and Social CareHealth and Social Care2019-05-07National Institute for Health and Care Excellence2House of LordsTo ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate that NICE will publish the outcome of the NICE Evaluation Committee meeting held on 6 March.falseBaroness Thomas of WinchesterHL155771001132