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100612

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Civil Servants: Languages
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to conduct a comprehensive audit of the foreign language skills currently possessed by civil servants across all departments and government agencies.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL2343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>I refer my noble friend to the answer provided by The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 November, <em>Official Report</em>, Column WA188.</p><p>There are currently no plans for a formal audit across Government to measure the foreign language skills currently possessed by civil servants.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 04/11/2014 16:55:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

100613

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	Electricity Generation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the relative current delivered costs of electricity delivered to users in the United Kingdom produced respectively by nuclear fusion, offshore electricity, solar photovoltaic, gas and coal.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Chesterton
uin	HL2344
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>DECC’s most recently published figures for the levelised costs of electricity generation for different technologies are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) report:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269888/131217_Electricity_Generation_costs_report_December_2013_Final.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269888/131217_Electricity_Generation_costs_report_December_2013_Final.pdf</a></p><p>Table 1 below is taken from this report, and shows a range of levelised cost estimates for nuclear offshore wind, solar photovoltaic, and gas projects commissioning in 2014 and 2020 at technology specific hurdle rates (pre-tax real). Estimates are not published for nuclear projects commissioning in 2014, or coal projects without carbon capture and storage commissioning in 2014 or 2020 given there will be no new projects commissioned in this timeframe. DECC does not publish cost estimates for nuclear fusion.</p><p><strong><em>Table 1: Levelised cost estimates for different technologies, technology specific hurdle rates, sensitivities around high/low capital costs</em></strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>£/MWh</p><p>£2012</p></td><td><p>Projects commissioning in 2014,</p><p>£/MWh</p></td><td><p>Projects commissioning in 2020,</p><p>£/MWh</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Nuclear</p></td><td><p>n.a.</p></td><td><p>79 – 102</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Offshore wind Round 2</p></td><td><p>131 - 168</p></td><td><p>105 – 135</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Offshore wind Round 3</p></td><td><p>144 - 189</p></td><td><p>115 - 152</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Large scale solar PV</p></td><td><p>114 - 131</p></td><td><p>83 - 94</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>CCGT (gas) *</p></td><td><p>73 - 76</p></td><td><p>79 - 83</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><em>* CCGT: Combined Cycle Gas Turbine</em></p><p>The levelised cost of a particular generation technology is the ratio of the total costs of a generic plant to the total amount of electricity expected to be generated over the plant’s lifetime (per megawatt hour). Levelised cost estimates are highly sensitive to the assumptions used for capital costs, fuel and EU ETS allowance prices, operating costs, load factor, discount rate and other drivers and this means that there is significant uncertainty around these estimates. Estimates of levelised costs differ from the retail electricity prices that are paid by consumers (i.e. on delivery of electricity).</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 04/11/2014 15:14:30 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma attachment 1 file name Electricity Generation Costs Report December 2013.pdf title Electricity Generation Costs Report December 2013
tabling member	2543 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Chesterton

100614

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	Renewable Energy
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what allowance is made in future costings of renewable energy for weather conditions, such as when wind or solar power are not available.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Chesterton
uin	HL2345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>Estimates of the levelised costs of electricity generation for different technologies are published by DECC. The levelised cost of a particular generation technology is the ratio of the total costs of a generic plant to the total amount of electricity expected to be generated over the plant’s lifetime (per megawatt hour). Where relevant, estimates of electricity generation make an allowance for weather conditions based on estimates of when the relevant energy source is expected to be available, on average, over a plant’s lifetime (load factors). This is the case for intermittent renewable technologies such as onshore wind and solar photovoltaic.</p><p>Levelised cost estimates also depend on other assumptions, including capital costs, fuel and EU ETS allowance prices, operating costs, discount rates and other drivers. This means that there is a range around levelised cost estimates.</p><p>The DECC Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) report contains DECC’s latest levelised cost estimates.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 04/11/2014 15:13:19 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma attachment 1 file name Electricity Generation Costs Report December 2013.pdf title Electricity Generation Costs Report December 2013
tabling member	2543 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Chesterton

100615

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Diesel Vehicles
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to introduce measures to reduce the use of diesel engines as compared to petrol engines because of the effects of diesel fumes on health.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Chesterton
uin	HL2346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>Progressively tighter new vehicle European emission standards have reduced harmful particulate matter pollution emissions from diesel vehicles to a point where they are now equivalent to those from petrol vehicles. The latest emission standard for lorries and buses, Euro VI, will in addition substantially reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Government experts are working with the European Commission and other member states to ensure that the Euro 6 emission standard for diesel cars and vans will also deliver reduced NOx emissions.</p><p> </p><p>In addition between 2011 and 2020 we have committed over two billion pounds to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, on active and sustainable travel and to support green transport initiatives, which will help to improve air quality.</p><p> </p><p>As such, the Government has no current plans for any specific restriction or prohibition on the production or sale of diesel vehicles.</p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 04/11/2014 13:45:31 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
tabling member	2543 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Chesterton

100617

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Sports: Primary Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the commitments made after the Olympic Games, what plans they have to increase the time allocated and resources spent per pupil on sport in all primary schools; and what additional resources will be allocated for that purpose.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Chesterton
uin	HL2348
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>All maintained schools must teach a full programme of study for PE and it is up to schools to decide how much time they should devote to PE, or indeed to any other national curriculum subject. New research has shown that primary school pupils are now spending an average of more than two hours a week in PE lessons – an increase of 13 minutes since last year. Through the primary PE and sport premium we are providing over £450 million of ring-fenced funding across the three academic years beginning in 2013/14. The premium goes directly to primary schools to be spent on PE and sport; our research has shown that over 90% of schools have improved the quality of their PE lessons as a direct result of this funding.</p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 03/11/2014 17:15:50 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	2543 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Chesterton

100621

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Self-employed: Pay
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were (1) the average annual gross earnings, and (2) the average gross hourly rate of pay, in the United Kingdom, both in nominal terms and adjusted for inflation, of those who were self-employed for each year or part-year since 1997 for which data available.
tabling member printed	Lord Sharkey
uin	HL2352
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 03/11/2014 17:31:14 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire attachment 1 file name lord sharkey HL2352 ONS letter.pdf title UK Statistics Authority Reply
tabling member	4196 label Biography information for Lord Sharkey

100632

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: North West
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they make of (1) the case for improved commuter services from Manchester to Clitheroe, (2) the case for improved commuter services from Manchester to Burnley, and (3) the case for restoring the rail link from Manchester to Rawtenstall.
tabling member printed	Baroness Massey of Darwen
uin	HL2363
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government has recently concluded a consultation on the future of the Northern and TransPennine Express rail franchises. We are currently analysing the responses and considering options for the specifications for these franchises, including those between Manchester and Clitheroe and Manchester and Burnley, which we expect to publish in the Invitations to Tender for both franchises in December this year.</p><p> </p><p>The case for restoring the rail link from Bury to Rawtenstall (part of the East Lancashire heritage railway) is being considered as part of the A56/M66 Haslingden/Rawtenstall to Manchester gateway study to be carried out by Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council.</p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 04/11/2014 13:46:15 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
tabling member	2489 label Biography information for Baroness Massey of Darwen

100637

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much financial and material aid they have given to Pakistan in total to deal with the situation affecting internally displaced persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL2368
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>Before the military operation in North Waziristan which started in June 2014, the UK had provided £7 million to support internally displaced people in Northern Pakistan. This helped 400,000 people access safe water and sanitation; supplied 150,000 people with food packages; and supported over 6,000 families to rebuild their livelihoods.</p><p> </p><p><br> Since the beginning of the current military operation an additional one million people have registered as displaced. In response to this the UK has provided a further £4.7 million. This will support some of the most vulnerable people who have been identified by our partners in a joint assessment run by the UN and the Government of Pakistan. We remain in close contact with the Federal Government of Pakistan, the Provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and all of our partners, including the EU, to ensure an efficient, coordinated response.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover grouped question UIN HL2306 HL2308 HL2369 question first answered 04/11/2014 14:13:20 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

100638

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are liaising with the government of Pakistan in order to assist internally displaced persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL2369
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>Before the military operation in North Waziristan which started in June 2014, the UK had provided £7 million to support internally displaced people in Northern Pakistan. This helped 400,000 people access safe water and sanitation; supplied 150,000 people with food packages; and supported over 6,000 families to rebuild their livelihoods.</p><p> </p><p><br> Since the beginning of the current military operation an additional one million people have registered as displaced. In response to this the UK has provided a further £4.7 million. This will support some of the most vulnerable people who have been identified by our partners in a joint assessment run by the UN and the Government of Pakistan. We remain in close contact with the Federal Government of Pakistan, the Provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and all of our partners, including the EU, to ensure an efficient, coordinated response.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover grouped question UIN HL2306 HL2308 HL2368 question first answered 04/11/2014 14:13:21 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

100645

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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
hansard heading	Housing Benefit
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government why housing benefit overpayments increased to £1.4 billion in 2013–14 and how they are addressing the issue.
tabling member printed	Baroness Manzoor
uin	HL2376
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Housing Benefit is a complex benefit administered by 380 Local Authorities. It has a high proportion of in-work claimants and this caseload is more likely to undergo changes in circumstances than out-of-work claimants. If claimants fail to report changes in circumstances correctly and in a timely manner then overpayments will occur.</p><p>The rate of fraud in Housing Benefit has been stable for many years at 1.4% since 2008-09. Official error has also remained relatively stable over the last six years, currently standing at 0.6% which is the same level as in 2008-09. Claimant error has increased from 2.7% in 2008-09 to 3.8% in 2013-14.</p><p>The rise in HB claimant error is primarily earnings related and a consequence of failure to report these changes. DWP is taking action to deal with this issue through better data sharing with Local Authorities, such as the introduction of real time information (RTI) on earnings, so that local authorities are alerted to changes quickly and do not have to rely on the claimant informing them of changes.</p><p>Longer term, Housing Benefit for working age claimants will be replaced by the housing cost element of Universal Credit and will be paid as a single monthly payment with the other elements. This will reduce the opportunity for Fraud and Error and prevent overpayments from occurring.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 04/11/2014 15:11:36 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4289 label Biography information for Baroness Manzoor