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1672027

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Telegram
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings and correspondence they have had with the messaging service Telegram since 1 January.
tabling member printed	Lord Allan of Hallam
uin	HL454
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2023 answer text <p>Officials met representatives of the messaging service Telegram on 26 July 2023 to discuss end-to-end encryption measures during the passage of the Online Safety Bill.</p> answering member printed Viscount Camrose question first answered 05/12/2023 17:08:44 answering member 4939 label Biography information for Viscount Camrose
tabling member	397 label Biography information for Lord Allan of Hallam

1672029

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
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	Religious Freedom: Employment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Religious Freedom and Business corporation, in cooperation with the APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, Building Freedom of Religion or Belief Through Faith-And-Belief Friendly Workplaces: A Call to Action, published on 20 November.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL456
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2023 answer text <p>The UK Government notes the report by the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation, in cooperation with the APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief,<em> Building Freedom of Religion or Belief Through Faith-And-Belief Friendly Workplaces: A Call to Action</em>, published on 20 November.</p><p>Promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. As well as championing FoRB, we have consistently supported the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on business and human rights, which are widely regarded as the authoritative international framework to steer practical action by Governments and businesses worldwide on this important agenda.</p><p>The Government is clear that it expects all UK businesses to respect human rights, including FoRB, throughout their operations, in line with the UNGPs.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/12/2023 17:10:40 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1672030

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Loans: Interest Rates
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Financial Conduct Authority regularly undertakes spot checks of firms offering loans to ensure that the contract details accurately reflect the advertised annual percentage rate of the financial product.
tabling member printed	Earl Attlee
uin	HL457
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2023 answer text <p>The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for regulating the consumer credit market. It is part of a robust regulatory system which is helping to deliver the government’s vision for a well-functioning and sustainable consumer credit market which meets consumers’ needs.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA oversees firms through its supervision strategy. In the <em>FCA Mission – Approach to Supervision April 2019</em>, the FCA set out that to make the best use of its resources and deliver the greatest public value, it takes a proportionate approach to supervising firms. It supervises most firms as members of a portfolio of firms that share a common business model. It analyses each portfolio and agrees a strategy to take action on firms posing the greatest harm.</p><p> </p><p>Firms are required by FCA rules to include a representative APR in certain circumstances. The FCA’s handbook (CONC 3.5) provides further rules and guidance on when a representative APR must be shown, how it should be denoted and the level of prominence it must be given.</p><p> </p><p>While not all consumers will get the advertised APR, they should be told in advance of entering into the agreement what APR they have been offered and this will be shown in the pre-contract information required to be given under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.</p><p> </p><p>If a customer is concerned that they may have been mis-sold a credit agreement, they may wish to consider making a formal complaint to the firm in question in the first instance. If they then feel that their complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily, they are able to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) – an independent body set up to provide arbitration in such cases.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 30/11/2023 15:31:36 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3425 label Biography information for Earl Attlee

1672031

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Restoration and Renewal Client Board
answering dept id	213
answering dept short name	Restoration and Renewal Client Board
answering dept sort name	Restoration and Renewal Client Board
hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, following the professional and technical advice received by both Houses that a partial decant is both more risky and expensive than a full decant, why a partial decant is still being considered as an option for Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.
tabling member printed	Earl Attlee
uin	HL458
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2023 answer text <p>In July 2023 the Restoration and Renewal (R&amp;R) Client Board endorsed the R&amp;R Programme Board’s recommended shortlist of R&amp;R delivery options. This included a “full decant” option where both Houses move out of the Palace at the same time (with the Commons prioritised for earlier return) and an option whereby the House of Commons would maintain a “continued presence” in varying locations in the Palace during the works and the House of Lords would move out of the Palace. The Client Board has also requested that a fallback option of enhanced maintenance and improvement forms part of further detailed design work on these options to inform a decision on the preferred way forward in due course, currently expected in 2025.</p><p>The Client Board considered it important that more than one option should be subject to further detailed design work and analysis in order to meet the spirit of the new mandate for R&amp;R agreed by both Houses last year and to reflect that members of both Houses have differing views about how the programme can best be delivered.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 29/11/2023 17:55:12 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	3425 label Biography information for Earl Attlee

1672032

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
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	Pesticides: Environment Protection
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impacts from including saponins, phosphorous peroxide, and other substances which are irritants or otherwise harmful to worms and other soil organisms, in products labelled as "soil conditioners" or "anti-worm caster"; and what guidance they have issued about the legality of doing so.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL459
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2023 answer text <p>No assessment has been made. The Environment Agency assesses the presence of many chemicals in the environment, but has very limited data for chemicals in soil and the potential impacts on individual species. Saponins are a very broad and diverse group of compounds with biosurfactant and biopesticide properties and with many applications including some personal care products. The Environment Agency has developed a Prioritisation and Early Warning System for chemicals of emerging concern to systematically consider this challenge and to integrate horizon scanning with environmental monitoring and international collaboration. Substances can be added for future assessment, depending on the availability of evidence.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government recognises how vital healthy soil is for food production, water regulation, biodiversity, carbon storage and providing diverse habitats and agricultural opportunities. Earthworms are an excellent indicator of soil health, as they are impacted by pH, waterlogging, compaction, tillage, rotation and organic matter management.</p><p> </p><p>Pesticides are strictly regulated because of their potential impacts on human health and the environment (including impacts on earthworms and soil micro-organisms) and, if authorised, are subject to conditions to ensure safe use. For many products, professional use only by properly trained operatives is one of those conditions. There are no plant protection products that are currently authorised for the control of worm casts on turf.</p><p> </p><p>A consultation and call for evidence on a new fertiliser regulatory framework is planned for early 2024. The process of regulation development will be iterative as more research is needed into newer fertiliser types before requirements for these products can be drafted into law. Soil conditioners may be subject to regulation under the future revised framework for fertilisers.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 04/12/2023 17:04:49 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1672033

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Local Plans
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the new National Planning Policy Framework; and what assessment they have made of the impact of any delay in its publication on the production of local plans.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL460
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2023 answer text <p>Government is clear that it expects plan making to continue as we move towards the new system, following royal assent of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. As part of that we are closely monitoring those areas that have failed to keep plans up to date.</p><p>We intend to publish updates to the National Planning Policy Framework later in 2023 and are carefully considering how the changes should be implemented to encourage and support different authorities to progress their plans to adoption.</p> answering member printed Baroness Penn question first answered 05/12/2023 14:03:12 answering member 4726 label Biography information for Baroness Penn
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1672034

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Voice over Internet Protocol
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 3 April (HL6992), whether the incumbent operator in each area have informed consumers that before committing to a new two year full fibre service contract with them they can research other full fibre options available to them in their area.
tabling member printed	Lord Clement-Jones
uin	HL461
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2023 answer text <p>The Government has strengthened Ofcom’s consumer protection rules to ensure consumers have the right level of information to make informed decisions.</p><p>As part of this, in February 2020, Ofcom brought in rules requiring communication providers to send a notification to customers nearing the end of their contract, encouraging them to get a new contract. These rules also require providers to send an annual notification for their consumers who are-out-contract, setting out the provider’s best available deals to the consumer.</p><p>Within the end-of-contract notification, providers must inform customers of the precise date their contract expires; notice periods should they wish to leave; the best offer available for renewal as well as the price they will pay if they take no action. Providers are not required to advise consumers if competitor services are present in their local area.</p><p>Ofcom are responsible for monitoring provider compliance with end-of-contract notification regulations, and recently <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2023/shell-energy-fined-customer-contracts-deals" target="_blank">took action</a> against a provider who failed to issue information to their customers. Using the information contained within their end-of-contract notification, customers can find out what providers operate in their area using Ofcom’s<a href="https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/broadband-coverage" target="_blank"> broadband checker.</a> Customers are also able to use one of the <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/price-comparison" target="_blank">Ofcom accredited price comparison</a> sites to see what offers they can access and how they compare to the best deal offered by their current provider.</p> answering member printed Viscount Camrose question first answered 05/12/2023 17:08:31 answering member 4939 label Biography information for Viscount Camrose
tabling member	3396 label Biography information for Lord Clement-Jones

1672035

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Levelling Up Fund: Northern Ireland
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government why is the absence of a working executive a reason for not including Northern Ireland in the third round of the Levelling Up Fund when in previous years the absence did not stop funding.
tabling member printed	Baroness Hoey
uin	HL462
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2023 answer text <p>In Northern Ireland, the Government is not proceeding with this round of the Levelling Up Fund at this time. In the context of the growing pressure on Northern Ireland budgets it is right that UKG should consider its approach to funding available for Northern Ireland in the round. £30 million has been reserved for Northern Ireland from LUF 3. As part of our commitment to levelling up, we want to work with a restored Executive to find the best approach to supporting people in Northern Ireland, taking account of current budget pressures.</p><p>We will continue to work closely with projects and places in Northern Ireland that were awarded a total of £120 million in the first two rounds of the Fund and work with stakeholders on how best to level up communities in Northern Ireland.</p> answering member printed Baroness Penn question first answered 04/12/2023 17:26:57 answering member 4726 label Biography information for Baroness Penn
tabling member	210 label Biography information for Baroness Hoey

1672036

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
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	Royal Marsden Cancer Charity: Charitable Donations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment it has made of the governance arrangements at the Royal Marsden Foundation Trust following reported concerns by external auditors about a £9 million donation it made to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL463
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2023 answer text <p>Following this payment by Royal Marsden being brought to our attention by the auditors, the Government did not provide retrospective special payment approval for the grant.</p><p>The Department and NHS England are taking steps to recommunicate expectations to trusts that they are required to seek approval ahead of time, with the circumstances of each case being considered on a case-by-case basis.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 28/11/2023 14:54:56 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1672037

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
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	Sciensus: Standards
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on patient safety of the reported failures of the Sciensus medicine manufacturing unit.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL464
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2023 answer text <p>Following a report of manufacturing error for a medicine called Cabazitaxel, inspectors from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) visited the manufacturing facility to determine the cause of the error and assess the number of patients who were impacted. Inspectors identified that four patients had received the products, and the products had been administered several weeks previously. MHRA’s review of the incident confirmed the company had already instigated measures to contact the clinicians who were responsible for the patients’ care.</p><p>MHRA has taken regulatory action by means of an immediate partial suspension of the licence to manufacture held by Sciensus. This action was taken in accordance with Regulation 28 of the 2012 Human Medicines regulations and ensures that the error is prevented from being replicated whilst further long-term corrective actions are taken by Sciensus assure ongoing patient safety.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 11/12/2023 14:45:59 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath