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1059227

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Shipbuilding
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) protect jobs, and (2) boost productivity, in the UK shipbuilding industry.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL13612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The National Shipbuilding Strategy published in 2017 set out how the Ministry of Defence would transform the way it procures naval ships. The Strategy committed the government to work with the industry to improve public procurement, increase trade and drive innovation.</p><p>An industry led Maritime Enterprise Working Group is undertaking a long-term programme of improvements for the UK shipbuilding industry. Its membership includes the major UK shipbuilders, government and universities.</p><p>The Group commissioned a Shipbuilding Market Evaluation and Competitiveness Study that is due to report shortly. The findings of the study will enable the UK shipbuilding industry to focus on specific productivity improvements based on the opportunities for the industry in terms of the domestic and international markets for commercial and naval ships, which could secure jobs for the long term.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 19/02/2019 14:16:56 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1059228

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	NHS: Drugs
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 impact a no-deal Brexit would have on access to new medicines.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL13613
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to prepare for the outcome that we leave the European Union without a deal in March 2019.</p><p>Regarding access to medicines, the Department and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry have a voluntary agreement to control the prices of branded drugs sold to the National Health Service. The 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access will bring benefits to patients, the NHS and the life sciences industry. Patients will benefit from faster adoption of cutting-edge and best value drugs, so they can gain access to them up to six months earlier. We do not anticipate any need to make changes to the Voluntary Scheme in light of EU exit, whatever the outcome of negotiations.</p><p>Regarding the United Kingdom’s regulatory system, in a ‘no deal’ scenario the UK’s participation in the European medicines regulatory network would cease and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) would take on the functions currently undertaken by the EU for human medicines on the UK market. On 4 January the Government published an online-only detailed proposal for how the MHRA would regulate medicines in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario, which included the new licensing routes that we would offer in order to make sure UK patients are still able to access the best and most innovative medicines.</p><p>The Government values the strong collaborative partnerships that we have across the European Union in the areas of science, research and innovation, and as part of Exit negotiations is working to ensure that we have the best possible environment in which to support access to new medicines after we leave the EU.</p> answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford question first answered 25/02/2019 13:39:14 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1059229

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	NHS: Migrant Workers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to work with (1) EU member states in general, and (2) Spain in particular, to ensure the UK is able to fill staff vacancies in the NHS after Brexit.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL13614
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that the National Health Service is able to recruit as many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals from abroad, as it needs, once the United Kingdom has left the European Union. Our future immigration system will prioritise high and medium-skilled workers and the Tier 2 visa cap will be abolished. Aside from the salary threshold, which is the subject of ongoing engagement with employers, there will be no cap on numbers and the Government will also be removing the Resident Labour Market Test for skilled workers – this will remove a month from the process of recruiting a migrant. As we bring the EU into a new single immigration system we will make the existing sponsorship system more streamlined.</p><p>Additionally, the Government has introduced legislation that will largely maintain existing arrangements for the recognition of European health and care qualifications. European qualifications that are currently recognised automatically by UK regulators (doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and pharmacists), will continue to be recognised after the UK leaves the EU. European qualifications that are not accepted automatically will continue to be assessed against the standard of UK qualifications, as is currently the case.</p><p>The future arrangement for the recognition of European health and care qualifications, including Spanish qualifications, is subject to the outcome of negotiations on the UK’s future economic partnership with the EU.</p> answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford question first answered 25/02/2019 13:40:05 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1059230

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Service Charges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to stop landowners and managing agents from using service charges to recover legal defence costs from home owners who they have entered legal disputes with.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thornhill
uin	HL13615
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>Leaseholders can apply to the Tribunal at any time to make an order under section 20C of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 for the court or tribunal to limit or prevent the recovery of legal costs via the service charge. In addition Section 131 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 amended the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 to give the courts and tribunals a discretionary power to reduce or extinguish a leaseholders liability to pay a particular administration charge in respect of litigation costs.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/02/2019 17:16:38 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
tabling member	4558 label Biography information for Baroness Thornhill

1059231

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Leasehold
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow Residents Associations to perform the same functions as Resident Management Companies in communities where the Residents’ Association represents the majority of home owners.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thornhill
uin	HL13616
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>There are no plans to allow residents' associations to perform the same function as resident management companies. Instead, the Government has asked the Law Commission to review and streamline the current right to manage procedures, to make it quicker and easier for leaseholders and leasehold resident associations to take control of their buildings. The Law Commission is currently consulting on its proposals, which can be found at www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/right-to-manage. The consultation closes on 30 April.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/02/2019 17:16:12 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
tabling member	4558 label Biography information for Baroness Thornhill

1059232

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Private Rented Housing: Licensing
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 effectiveness of selective licensing schemes; when they intend to publish their review of the scheme; and whether they intend to support local authorities to expand the scheme.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thornhill
uin	HL13617
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>In September last year the Government commissioned a thorough and independent review into the effectiveness of selective licensing. This is on schedule to report in Spring 2019. The Department will consider the outcomes of the review carefully and does not intend to pre-empt its findings with regard to changes in legislation or policy.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/02/2019 17:17:01 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
tabling member	4558 label Biography information for Baroness Thornhill

1059233

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Plastic Bags: Fees and Charges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what steps they are taking to monitor the use of funds derived from the introduction of the charge on single-use plastic carrier bags, and (2) whether individual businesses are required to report on the amounts raised and donated from this source.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thornhill
uin	HL13618
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>In October 2015, the Government introduced the mandatory minimum 5p charge for single use carrier bags (SUCBs) in England on all large retailers to tackle the negative impacts associated with their use on the environment, wildlife and society.</p><p> </p><p>The policy has resulted in an 86% reduction in the usage of SUCBs by large retailers. This represents approximately 15.6 billion fewer bags in circulation.</p><p> </p><p>The Regulations require retailers with more than 250 staff to charge a minimum of 5p and report data on their annual sales of SUCBs. Those retailers are encouraged to donate the proceeds of the charge (after deducting VAT and other reasonable costs) to good causes such as charities or community groups and to voluntarily report that data. Our analysis shows that since the charge was introduced approximately £146 million has been donated to a variety of good causes covering the arts, education, environment, health, heritage and sports as well as local causes chosen by customers or staff.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is currently consulting on extending the charge to all retailers and increasing the minimum charge to 10p.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL13619 question first answered 25/02/2019 15:10:46 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4558 label Biography information for Baroness Thornhill

1059234

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Plastic Bags: Fees and Charges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the introduction of the charge on single-use plastic carrier bags has resulted in a reduction of bags used; and if so, by how much.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thornhill
uin	HL13619
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>In October 2015, the Government introduced the mandatory minimum 5p charge for single use carrier bags (SUCBs) in England on all large retailers to tackle the negative impacts associated with their use on the environment, wildlife and society.</p><p> </p><p>The policy has resulted in an 86% reduction in the usage of SUCBs by large retailers. This represents approximately 15.6 billion fewer bags in circulation.</p><p> </p><p>The Regulations require retailers with more than 250 staff to charge a minimum of 5p and report data on their annual sales of SUCBs. Those retailers are encouraged to donate the proceeds of the charge (after deducting VAT and other reasonable costs) to good causes such as charities or community groups and to voluntarily report that data. Our analysis shows that since the charge was introduced approximately £146 million has been donated to a variety of good causes covering the arts, education, environment, health, heritage and sports as well as local causes chosen by customers or staff.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is currently consulting on extending the charge to all retailers and increasing the minimum charge to 10p.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL13618 question first answered 25/02/2019 15:10:46 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4558 label Biography information for Baroness Thornhill

1059235

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	House of Lords: Disability
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether he is satisfied that the present arrangements in the Chamber and Committee Rooms meet the needs of those with hearing or visual impairments.
tabling member printed	Lord Trefgarne
uin	HL13620
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>The House of Lords provides support for Members, staff and visitors to Parliament affected by hearing loss through the use of audio loop and infrared systems that help to amplify sound for hearing aid users. Loop systems are installed in the Chamber and all Committee rooms, with infrared systems additionally available within Committee rooms 1 to 4, 2A, 3A and the Moses Room. Handheld radio transmitters are also available to hearing-aid users when in the Chamber, to reduce interference from electrical equipment and improve the quality of sound provided by the audio loop.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently exploring options to provide an audio description service for Chamber and Committee proceedings. This will provide blind and partially sighted members, committee witnesses and members of the public with a voiced description of which member or witness is currently speaking, transmitted directly via an audio service. A feasibility study was commissioned in January 2019 and will report back later this year.</p><p> </p><p>Further microphones are due to be added to the Chamber this year, which will improve the quality of service provided to hearing aid users. A greater number of microphones situated closer to the people speaking minimises background noise and gives a cleaner sound on the audio which is sent directly to hearing aids via the loop system. The large number of microphones used in Committee meetings, whether automated or operated by an engineer, help to keep the sound clear and maximise the quality of sound experienced by hearing aid users.</p><p> </p><p>For those with hearing impairments which do not require the use of a hearing aid, overall audibility in Committee Rooms 2A, 3A and 4A is generally good. In Committee rooms 1 to 4, however, factors such as high ceilings and furniture arrangements mean that the current acoustic set-up is sub-optimal. A facilities upgrade is currently being trialled in House of Commons Committee Room 6 and, subject to approval, House of Lords Committee rooms will also benefit from these improvements in due course. There are also plans to replace the speakers embedded in the benches within the Chamber next year, which should deliver improvements to general levels of audibility.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The business of the House is of course dependent upon Members, staff and visitors such as committee witnesses being able to hear and be heard, although the capacity to deliver improvements can sometimes be limited by the nature of operations in a building with heritage restrictions. Equality Impact Assessments will be carried out as part of the Restoration and Renewal process, during which extensive works are likely to offer the potential for further improvements to facilities. In the interim, the Director of Facilities would be happy to speak to any member with specific suggestions for improvement.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 25/02/2019 17:21:43 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	1813 label Biography information for Lord Trefgarne

1059237

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Fracking: Earthquakes
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to alter the current rules and regulations regarding permitted seismicity levels during fracking operations in the UK.
tabling member printed	Lord Truscott
uin	HL13621
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>The Traffic Light System for monitoring induced seismicity was introduced after consideration of advice from three scientists, following operations at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site in 2011. The level of magnitude 0.5 at which operators must pause operations, was set in consultation with industry as an appropriate precautionary measure. There are no plans to review the traffic light system.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/02/2019 12:26:37 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	3682 label Biography information for Lord Truscott