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1347917

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Electronic Surveillance: Mobile Phones
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 reported targeting of human rights activists, journalists and lawyers across the world by governments using hacking software sold by NSO Group; and what steps, if any, they plan to take to protect those affected by such targeting.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2135
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2021 answer text <p>We are aware of these reports. This is a matter for the company and Israeli regulators. The UK works closely with allies around the world to tackle cyber threats and improve our overall global resilience to attacks. It is vital that all cyber actors use capabilities in a way that is legal, responsible and proportionate to ensure cyberspace remains a safe and prosperous place for everyone.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/07/2021 13:43:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1347918

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Workplace Pensions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was invested by (1) the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, (2) the NHS Pension Scheme, (3) the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, (4) the Local Government Pension Scheme, (5) the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, and (6) the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, into (a) Alibaba, (b) Tencent, (c) China Construction Bank, (d) China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, and (e) China National Offshore Oil Corporation, between 2014 and 2020.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2136
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2021 answer text <p>The main unfunded public service pension schemes have not invested in any of the mentioned companies.</p><p> </p><p>Most Public Service Pension schemes are unfunded Defined Benefit pension schemes, with the exception of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Members’ pension benefits are set out in statute and there is no fund of assets from which pension benefits are paid. Employer and employee contributions are paid to the relevant public service pension scheme, but these contributions are not invested. Instead, the public service pension scheme uses the contributions to meet the cost of pensions in payment. Where there is a difference between pensions in payment and total contributions, the difference is made up by HMT through Annually Managed Expenditure (AME).</p><p> </p><p>The Local Government Pension Scheme is a funded scheme in which all the assets are owned by the administering authorities, which are responsible for the management of their investments. The data requested is not held centrally.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 30/07/2021 09:35:05 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1347919

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Cameroon: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of (1) the food security situation in North-West and South-West Cameroon, and (2) the impact of the security situation in Cameroon on regional stability; and what discussions they have had with (a) the Commonwealth Secretary-General, (b) the Secretary General of La Francophonie, and (c) the Chairperson of the African Union, about bringing an end to the conflicts in Cameroon.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2137
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2021 answer text <p>The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the situation in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, which has left 1.15 million people suffering from food insecurity. We regularly discuss the crisis within multilateral fora and with international partners, and welcome efforts from the African Union, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie to support a peaceful resolution.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/07/2021 14:55:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1347920

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Cameroon: Humanitarian Aid
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access in North-West and South-West Cameroon.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2138
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2021 answer text <p>During the Minister for Africa's visit to Cameroon in March, he met project partners to witness the impact of UK aid and called for unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need. The UK's representative reiterated these calls at the UN Security Council briefing on the UN Regional Office for Central Africa in June, and the British High Commission in Yaoundé continues to advocate for access alongside the diplomatic community and the UN.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/07/2021 14:52:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1347921

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
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	BGI Group
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports (1) that UK clinics are selling BGI Group’s tests for genetic conditions such as Down’s syndrome, and (2) that BGI Group is (a) using these tests to harvest the genetic data of millions of women and their unborn children, and (b) storing this data on a gene database funded by the government of China; and what plans they have to ban BGI Group in the UK.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2139
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2021 answer text <p>There has been no specific assessment of BGI Group’s tests. Public Health England and NHS England have confirmed they do not use BGI technology in their genomic screening services.</p><p>On the information provided, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) would anticipate that this type of device would be classified as a List B In-Vitro Diagnostic, which requires the oversight of a conformity assessment body before being placed on the United Kingdom market. The device must comply with the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 No.618. The MHRA understand BGI genetic screening tests are currently available for sale in the UK. These devices do not appear to have been registered with the MHRA at this time, however, due to their risk classification, registration will be required from 1 September 2021 in order to continue placing the products on the market.</p><p>Access to health data is controlled by the Data Protection Act 2018 (which incorporates GDPR in UK domestic law) and the common law duty of confidentiality and we have no plans to change these. The Government is clear that health and care data should only ever be used and/or shared where used lawfully, treated with respect, held securely and where the right safeguards are in place. The UK’s high standards of data protection will be maintained and enforced.</p><p>As outlined in the Genome UK strategy, all our genomic data systems will continue to apply consistent high standards around data security and our intention is that the UK model will be recognised as being the gold standard for how to apply strong and consistent ethical and regulatory standards that support rapid healthcare innovation, adhere to legal frameworks, and maintain public and professional trust.</p><p>There are no grounds to prevent BGI Groups operating in the UK provided they comply with UK legislation and regulatory requirements.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 05/08/2021 12:00:05 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1347923

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
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	Mental Health Services: Young People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Department for Health did not respond to a request from The Observer for a comment on the rise in demand for youth mental health services.
tabling member printed	Lord Beecham
uin	HL2141
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/08/2021 answer text <p>The Department responded to the Observer on 17 July.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 03/08/2021 11:43:16 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	4181 label Biography information for Lord Beecham

1347924

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Crossrail Line
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the delays of Crossrail 1, (1) what were the reasons that the delay announced in August 2018 was not sufficient to prevent the subsequent announcement in July 2021 of a further delay to the opening date of the railway, (2) what assessment they have made of the capacity of Crossrail and its owners to provide reliable forecasts for the project, (3) what was the estimated total cost of the project in April 2019, (4) what estimate they have made of the expected cost of the project by June 2022, (5) what lessons they have learned with regard to the timely forecasting of completion dates, and (6) how they are applying any lessons learnt to other major transport projects, such as HS2.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL2142
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2021 answer text <p>In October 2020, the governance of Crossrail transferred over to Transport for London (TfL). As part of the governance transition, the Crossrail Sponsor Board was replaced and the Mayor of London, who chairs the TfL Board, established a new Special Purpose Committee of the TfL Board, called the Elizabeth Line Committee (ELC). The ELC is chaired by the Deputy Mayor for Transport and provides high-level oversight of the Crossrail project. DfT remains a joint sponsor and retains oversight of and scrutiny of the programme and DfT has a Special Representative on the ELC.</p><p>The Transport Commissioner is responsible for delivering the project and intended benefits. TfL is responsible for providing reliable forecasts for the project. Crossrail Limited remains a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL.</p><p>In August 2018, Crossrail Limited announced a delay to the opening of the Elizabeth line. CRL stated that the reasons for this delay was due to more time being needed by contractors to complete fit-out activity in the central tunnels and the development of railway systems software, and that testing had started but further time was required to complete the full range of integrated tests.</p><p>The most recent announcement was in August 2020, when Crossrail Limited stated that the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood would be ready to open the first half of 2022. Crossrail announced that the schedule delay was due to lower than planned productivity in the final completion and handover of the shafts and portals and revisions to the schedule assumptions for the completion of the new stations. Crossrail also incurred additional costs and delays as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>In April 2019, Crossrail Limited’s total estimate costs for the project was £17.6 billion. Crossrail Limited’s current forecast cost of completing the programme is up to £18.9 billion. This includes Network Rail On-Network Costs for the surface works but excludes the cost of procuring new trains and depot.</p><p>The Department is committed to applying the lessons learned on Crossrail to other major projects, including HS2. In April 2019, the Department co-published a report with the Infrastructure and Project Authority (IPA). This identified a number of practical lessons, building on the experience of Crossrail, across five major themes.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 02/08/2021 12:59:26 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1347925

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Infrastructure and Projects Authority
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Annual Report on Major Projects 2020–21 by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, published on 15 July, in respect of the projects categorised 'red', what plans they have (1) to reassess the need for these projects, and (2) to cancel these projects; and what estimate they have made of the savings that would result from cancelling these projects.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL2143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2021 answer text <p>The IPA is not responsible for the individual GMPP projects, and the decisions to re-assess, or cancel a project belong to the relevant Departmental Accounting Officer.</p><p> </p><p>The previous Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating colours for HS2 are not shown as this is the first time that the individual phases of the project have been presented in the IPA’s Annual Report, previously HS2 has been presented as a single project.</p><p> </p><p>The IPA will continue to work closely with all departments and delivery bodies, including the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd to ensure efficient and effective delivery to drive construction innovation and capture and share lessons learned.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton grouped question UIN HL2144 question first answered 30/07/2021 09:34:22 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1347926

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Infrastructure and Projects Authority
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Annual Report on Major Projects 2020–21 by from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, published on 15 July, (1) why historical data of eight years of 'amber/red' or 'red' colour ratings has been deleted, (2) why the HS2 project has been separated into Phases 1, 2a and 2b, and (3) on what (a) costs, (b) benefits, and (c) timetable, are the revised assessments of Phases 1 and 2b made; and what steps they plan to take to ensure these are assessed as 'amber' or 'green' in the 2021–22 report.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL2144
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2021 answer text <p>The IPA is not responsible for the individual GMPP projects, and the decisions to re-assess, or cancel a project belong to the relevant Departmental Accounting Officer.</p><p> </p><p>The previous Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating colours for HS2 are not shown as this is the first time that the individual phases of the project have been presented in the IPA’s Annual Report, previously HS2 has been presented as a single project.</p><p> </p><p>The IPA will continue to work closely with all departments and delivery bodies, including the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd to ensure efficient and effective delivery to drive construction innovation and capture and share lessons learned.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton grouped question UIN HL2143 question first answered 30/07/2021 09:34:23 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1347927

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
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	Heating
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when their proposed Heat and Buildings Strategy will be published.
tabling member printed	Lord Foster of Bath
uin	HL2145
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2021 answer text <p>As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out in the BEIS Select Committee on 20/07/21, the Government is planning to publish a Heat and Buildings Strategy in due course. The strategy will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings, as well as our approach to the key strategic decisions needed to achieve a mass transition to low-carbon heat.</p><p> </p><p>In order to ensure that we remain on a credible path to net zero while retaining the option to pursue the optimal mix of technologies, we will grow the heat pump market to 600,000 per year by 2028; and undertake large-scale trials for hydrogen, to prove their safety case and build the market.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 02/08/2021 13:49:20 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
tabling member	214 label Biography information for Lord Foster of Bath