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349507

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the letter to <i>The Times</i> of 2 June from 28 former prime ministers and presidents which claims that there is a worldwide decline in the respect paid to and status of teachers.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL376
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The research cited, in the letter to The Times, was the Varkey GEMS Global Teacher Status Index, which was published in 2013. The index surveys public opinion on the status of teachers and contained several positive findings in relation to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>For example, teachers’ status was ranked higher in the UK than in many other countries, including France, Finland and Germany. Respect for headteachers in the UK was ranked highest of all the countries in the study. When respondents were asked to assess ‘how good is the education system?’ the UK ranked seventh out of all countries surveyed – a higher score than the USA, South Korea and Germany.</p><p> </p><p>To help raise the status of teaching further still, our manifesto set out our commitment to supporting the establishment of a new, independent College of Teaching. Teaching is unique amongst the professions in this country in not having a membership body to champion high standards of practice.</p><p> </p><p>The recognition of teaching as a respected and high-status profession is reflected in the calibre of those joining. Almost three quarters of new teachers now have an upper-second or first class degree, 10% higher than in 2010. We have a record proportion of new teachers (17%) with first class degrees and, for several years running, teaching has remained the most popular career destination for graduates from Oxford University.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst perceptions of teachers and teaching in this country are positive, the government remains committed to doing all we can to support the profession to develop and improve.</p><p /> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 18/06/2015 15:40:07 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349509

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Nurses
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of claims by patient safety campaigners and others that NHS England may introduce lower standards in terms of the number of nurses required in the light of the termination by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence of its work on staffing levels.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting National Health Service trusts to use their resources as effectively as possible for patients, including the critical priority that staffing levels are safe.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Existing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance will continue to be used by NHS trusts to help them look at their approach to staffing and decide what is best for patients. NHS England will take this work forward alongside their programme of service reviews.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Chief Nursing Office for England wrote to Directors of Nursing and other NHS staff on 11 June confirming the steps she will be taking to advance the programme of work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Prior of Brampton question first answered 18/06/2015 14:57:31 answering member 127 label Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349511

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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
hansard heading	Mesothelioma: Compensation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the compensation payments awarded under the Mesothelioma Act 2014, what is their estimate of (1) the difference between the actuarial calculations on which they based their assumptions for payments of compensation and the payments now being made by insurance companies; and (2) how much such companies will save in each of the next 10 years compared with the original legislative assumptions.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>No actuarial calculations were carried out in relation to the payments that would be made by the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. The tariff table, which sets out the rate of payment according to age at diagnosis, is based on an average of similar payments made under civil compensation.</p><p> </p><p>The Impact Assessment published in March 2014 estimated that £93.7m would be paid out by the Scheme in the first year of its operation, and £412.4m would be paid out over the first 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>Initial application volumes were lower than anticipated so the amount levied on the insurance industry for the period 2014/15 was £32m. It is too early to estimate what the application volumes will be over the next 10 years given volumes received to date. As this is a demand led scheme, the calculations for the levy are done afresh each year. An upturn in applications to the Scheme would result in a higher levy rate in future years.</p> answering member printed Baroness Altmann question first answered 18/06/2015 13:31:33 answering member 4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

349512

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: SOCO International
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take in the light of reports into the activities of Soco International in Virunga national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which allege breaches of bribery and corruption laws.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of allegations of serious wrongdoing made against Soco International, its employees and agents connected to its activities in the Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We expect all companies to act appropriately and encourage anyone with evidence of fraud, bribery or corruption to pass this to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).</p><p>Allegations of bribery and corruption, and incidents of violence, intimidation and threats directed at environmental activists, fishermen and local residents campaigning against oil exploitation in the Virunga National Park have been inadequately investigated by the DRC authorities. We have called upon the DRC authorities to undertake a full investigation.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 22/06/2015 15:19:25 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

349513

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Unfair Dismissal
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 difficulties faced by employees who are sacked in their first two years of employment, in the light of changes to employment law and employment tribunal fees.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2015 answer text <p>The qualifying period for unfair dismissal was increased to two years in 2012. From initial analysis we cannot see any clear signs that this has had a negative impact on employment. ONS Labour Market Statistics show a decreasing trend in unemployment figures and according to the CBI/Accenture employment trends survey 2014, half of employers (50%) expect their workforce to be larger in 12 months’ time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice has initiated a review of the impact of employment tribunal fees. We will consider the outcome of this review in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 15/06/2015 16:09:38 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

349514

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Corruption and Money Laundering
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 report by Transparency International,<i> Empowering the United Kingdom to Recover Corrupt Assets</i>, which claims that the police lack the resources and adequate legal processes to bring prosecutions for corruption and money laundering.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL383
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2015 answer text <p>We have published the UK Anti-Corruption Plan, which sets out our commitment to tackling corruption and its proceeds. The Government established the Economic Crime Command of the National Crime Agency to lead, co-ordinate and support the national law enforcement response to money laundering and corruption. The National Crime Agency's new International Corruption Unit creates a single UK centre of excellence within the NCA for dealing with international bribery and corruption. It brings together resources from the Metropolitan Police Service, the City of London Police and the NCA.</p><p>Tackling these crimes is not just about action by the police. The Serious Crime Act 2015 closed a number of loopholes in the Proceeds of Crime Act and has made it easier to obtain restraint orders. The Serious Crime Act also made it a criminal offence to participate in the activities of an organised crime group. We have improved our information sharing arrangements, with the National Crime Agency leading work with the financial sector to improve our response to money laundering and corruption.</p><p>On 14 December 2014 we announced a review of the Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) regime to develop ways of better identifying money laundering and terrorist financing, and to prevent the dissipation of the proceeds of corruption.</p><p>The Government welcomes the report of Transparency International on the recovery of corrupt assets. We continue to consider all proposals, to give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools that they need to do their job.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 19/06/2015 13:15:05 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

349518

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Middle East: Internally Displaced People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the proposed establishment of an international enclave, protected by the United Nations, in Syria and Iraq to house internally displaced people.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL387
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK welcomes any option compliant with international law that might save lives in Syria and Iraq. The situation in Syria and Iraq is incredibly complex, and international enclaves are not currently feasible. For such a safe area to work in any context, all parties to the conflict would need to agree on its establishment. In the absence of such an agreement, this would require foreign military intervention, authorised by a UN Security Council resolution.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:44:06 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

349519

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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
hansard heading	Middle East: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage the governments of Saudi Arabia and Iran to find political solutions to the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL388
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have a long history of friendship, understanding and co-operation. Our shared interests are wide and diverse, and include cooperation on counter-terrorism, defence, trade and investment, education and healthcare. We also work closely with the Government of Saudi Arabia across a range of shared key foreign policy interests.</p><p>Iran is an important country in the region but it is contributing to regional instability through its actions. We discuss regional issues as part of our bilateral dialogue with Iran, and continue to encourage Iran to play a constructive role in the region.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 22/06/2015 10:45:11 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

349520

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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
hansard heading	Syria
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is an international peace plan regarding Syria.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL389
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2015 answer text <p>A negotiated political transition in Syria remains the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis. The Geneva Communiqué, agreed in June 2012, set out steps that must be in place to establish a transitional governing body, leading to full, free and fair elections in Syria. UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is in consultations with the parties to the Syria conflict as well as the key regional and international powers, including the UK, to establish a route back to political talks. We continue to exchange views with Mr de Mistura and his team.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/06/2015 14:22:20 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

349522

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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
hansard heading	Burma: Rohingya
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to make representations to the government of Myanmar regarding the treatment of Rohingya Muslims.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL391
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>We continue to raise the problems in Rakhine with the government of Burma at every opportunity, and will continue to do so. Most recently in relation to the humanitarian crisis in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), called the Burmese Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express concern, calling for an urgent humanitarian response and regional coordination. In parallel, our Ambassador in Rangoon delivered the same message with the EU and US in a demarche to Burmese Ministers, and again bilaterally on 4 June.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 22/06/2015 15:17:25 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed