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50278

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what diplomatic or alternative measures are being taken to secure the release of the several hundred children abducted by Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6996
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p>In the days following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria, we have offered our assistance to the highest levels of the Nigerian government. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to the Nigerian Foreign Minister on 18 April immediately after the abductions and offered the UK's assistance.</p><p>On 7 May the Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), spoke to President Jonathan and offered to send a team of UK experts to Abuja. The President accepted and the team, led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), arrived in Abuja on 9 May. The team will provide expertise in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, military mentoring and training, victim support and economic development. Human rights compliance is, and will remain, an essential element of any UK assistance in Nigeria. The Minister for Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) visited Nigeria on 14 May, and reiterated our support with President Jonathan.</p><p>We are coordinating closely with international partners. An FCO team was in Washington on 5 May for talks with the US on Nigeria. Our expert team in Abuja will be coordinating closely with a US team also in Abuja. We are also speaking to the French and are encouraging other EU partners to lend their support. Given Boko Haram's exploitation of Nigeria's porous borders and indications that some of the girls may have been taken to Cameroon or Chad, we are engaging with Nigeria's neighbours.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

50279

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they decide which retailers can be accessed using the Azure prepayment card given to asylum seekers.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6997
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Azure card is provided to failed asylum seekers supported under the provisions of section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. <br><br>Any retail outlet that provides food and other essential living items and accepts visa transactions can apply to join the Azure card scheme.<br><br>The card is currently accepted by Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrison's, the Co-operative, Boots, Peacocks, Early Learning Centre, Mothercare, The British Red Cross, The Salvation Army and a few small independent retailers. There are ongoing discussions with other outlets that may be interested in joining the scheme.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Taylor of Holbeach question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3787 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Holbeach
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

50280

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many staff were employed at Jobcentre Plus in each year from 2005 to 2013.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6998
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The total number of staff employed by Jobcentre Plus in March of each year from 2005 to 2011 is shown in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Jobcentre Plus Staffing (Full Time Equivalents)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004/2005</p></td><td><p>73,406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005/2006</p></td><td><p>71,222</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006/2007</p></td><td><p>67,946</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007/2008</p></td><td><p>66,416</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008/2009</p></td><td><p>69,479</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009/2010</p></td><td><p>82,647</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010/2011</p></td><td><p>72,939</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Jobcentre Plus was re-structured and absorbed into a revised Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Operations structure in October 2011. Since that point, it has no longer existed as a separate organisation.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

49898

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days it has taken to receive Royal Mail approval of contents of freepost election addresses in each of the European Parliament constituencies.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6876
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p>Government does not have a role in the approval of the content of election addresses.</p><p>Royal Mail is responsible for checking that candidates' election addresses meet Royal Mail's conditions of carriage and candidates' legal responsibilities. Royal Mail's guidance sets out its aim to approve or request changes to artwork within 48 hours of receipt.</p><p>However, it remains the party's or candidate's responsibility to ensure that the content of their election addresses complies with the law.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

49900

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what analysis they have made of the report Cedars: two years on by Barnardo's; and what plans they have to implement the recommendations made in that report.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6877
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Home Office welcomes Barnardo's report which highlights the significant improvements that have been made to the family returns process, the reduction in the numbers of children held with their families for immigration purposes and the fact that the accommodation at Cedars is used as a last resort. <br><br>The Home Office is carefully considering the report and its recommendations. The recommendation for risk assessment for the use of personal protection clothing is already part of operational visit planning and changes to the contract with the escort supplier, Tascor, are underway to enable the creation of specialist escort teams for family moves.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Taylor of Holbeach question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3787 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Holbeach
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

49901

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Compass Contracts
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government why they changed their contracting model for the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers in danger of destitution.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6878
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The COMPASS (Commercial and Operational Managers Procuring Asylum Support Services) project procured in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2006. The commercial principles behind the COMPASS procurement included:<br><br>• A desire to manage demand for asylum accommodation services under a regional procurement model to create efficiency and quality from economies of scale<br>• Appointing financially secure suppliers able to respond with potentially significant fluctuations (increases and decreases) in demand<br>• Identifying suppliers with a proven track record and who would take the care of asylum seekers seriously<br>• Updating the contract performance regime to align with Government procurement and Home Office strategic objectives and in recognition of National Audit Office reports into the previous accommodation contracts</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Taylor of Holbeach question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3787 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Holbeach
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

49902

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are ensuring (1) that adequate plans are in place for private contractors managing new public sector contracts, and (2) that any such plans include reference to what will be passed on by previous contractors and clear arrangements for exiting previous obligations.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p>Although it is the responsibility of the Contracting Authority to ensure that adequate plans are in place for private contractors managing new public sector contracts, the Crown Commercial Service was created to support departments in improving their commercial relationships and strengthen the role of the centre of Government in overseeing procurement.</p><p>The Model Services Contract, published by the Crown Commercial Service in January 2014, contains standard contractual provisions relating to contract termination and supplier replacement:</p><p><a href="https://ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/files/Transparency/Model%20Services%20Contract%20v1_0.pdf" target="_blank">https://ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/files/Transparency/Model%20Services%20Contract%20v1_0.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

49903

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Home Office plans to re-examine its savings forecasts in the light of the additional costs incurred in the transition between contractors overseeing the Government's accommodation provision for destitute asylum seekers.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6880
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>COMPASS savings are directly linked to the number of people in asylum accommodation that changes continually. COMPASS savings are therefore monitored and reappraised against Home Office forecasts continually. The latest benefits review, carried out after the end of the 2013-14 financial year, indicates that savings for that year exceeded those profiled in the original business case and that the project remains on target to deliver £140m of financial benefits during its lifetime. Savings are being made despite the supported population increasing in line with <br>higher asylum intake.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Taylor of Holbeach question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3787 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Holbeach
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

47870

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
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 Faulks on 7 April (WA 249), in the light of HM Prison The Verne being used to take immigration detainees exclusively and the number of persons held under Immigration Act powers within HM Prisons, what plans they have to extend Rule 35 to the prison estate by an amendment to the Prison Rules; and, if there are no such plans, how a prison doctor's concerns that a prisoner may be a victim of torture may be made known to the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6812
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Prison Rule 21 provides that a medical practitioner shall report to the governor on the case of any person whose health is likely to be injuriously affected by continued imprisonment or any conditions of imprisonment. The governor is required to send any such reports to the Secretary of State. Although Prison Rule 21 does not replicate Detention Centre Rule 35 it performs a similar function. We therefore have no plans to amend Prison Rules in this case.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

47871

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the recent medical evaluation by Dr Emily Keram of the British Guantánamo Bay detainee, Shaker Aamer, whether they will make further representations to the government of the United States concerning Mr Aamer's release; and whether they intend to provide an amicus curiae brief in support of Mr Aamer's motion for release, as requested by his lawyers.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6813
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Mr Aamer's case remains a high priority for the Government. We take Mr Aamer's welfare very seriously and continue to make clear to the US at the highest levels that we wish to secure his release, and return to the UK, as a matter of urgency. Most recently, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised Mr Aamer's case in a meeting with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in February this year. We are currently considering Reprieve's request for the Government to provide an amicus curiae brief and will respond in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno