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1285382

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: Bridges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 8 February (HL12929), what assessment the Highways Agency has made of imposing weight restrictions on historic railway estate structures as an alternative to demolition; and what plans they have to consult local authorities before deciding on demolition.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL13156
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2021 answer text <p>Pursuant to the answer to HL12929, Highways England’s existing procedures on Historical Railways Estate (HRE) structures are designed to keep the public safe and are underpinned by what is the safest and most appropriate option for a given structure. Local highway authorities have responsibility for applying weight restrictions, closing the roads, or restricting traffic. Approximately 200 of the public road bridges on the HRE managed by Highways England have failed their most recent structural assessment but Local Authorities have not had any restrictions implemented. Therefore, in these cases, Highways England’s planned infilling is the safest and most appropriate option and will maintain access across the structures. Although there are currently no plans to review existing procedures, this will be kept under review.</p><p> </p><p>Highways England enjoys a strong working relationship with local councils, allowing for an open dialogue about local authority responsibilities and the potential future use or transfer of ownership of bridges, and has contacted all local authorities affected to advise them of its plans to see if they have any use for the structures. In addition, it has arranged for seven structures to be transferred to local authorities which aspire to use them for cycle routes.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 15/02/2021 12:43:06 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1285417

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
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 decision by the government of the United States to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia; and what plans they have to do the same.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL13203
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2021 answer text <p>The US announced it would end support to Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen, including relevant defence exports. This is entirely a matter for the US Government.</p><p> </p><p>Our position on arms exports to Saudi Arabia – as with all countries – is that such exports require an export licence and that all export licence applications are carefully assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (the “Consolidated Criteria”) on a case-by-case basis. A licence would not be granted if to do so would be inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Grimstone of Boscobel question first answered 11/02/2021 13:43:20 answering member 4876 label Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1284560

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Musical Instruments: Customs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to enable UK orchestras to continue to use (a) specialist UK-based hauliers, or (b) their own trucks, to transport musical instruments across multiple EU countries, and (2) to negotiate with the EU an exemption to barriers of the movement of goods for cultural purposes.
tabling member printed	Lord Aberdare
uin	HL13034
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2021 answer text <p>The Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and the EU allows UK hauliers to undertake up to 2 additional laden journeys, cross-trade or cabotage, within the EU after a laden international journey from the UK, with a maximum of 1 cabotage movement outside Ireland. These rules will also apply to specialist hauliers, such as hauliers who carry equipment for musicians and other performers, even when using their own truck.</p><p>Our assessment is that the TCA will allow the vast majority of haulage operations that were being undertaken by UK hauliers before the end of the transition period. However, UK operators will not be allowed to undertake more than 2 movements within the EU before returning to the UK. This issue was discussed in detail as part of negotiations, but the EU was unwilling to agree more flexible arrangements.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 15/02/2021 12:44:10 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3898 label Biography information for Lord Aberdare

1284569

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Clean Air Zones
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in relation to the Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/1444), what restrictions there are on the amount that local authorities can charge different types of non-compliant vehicles which enter a clean air zone; whether local authorities can retain such charges; whether local authorities are required to use the central services set out in these regulations; and what is the charge per transaction for the use of these services payable to the Department of Transport.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL13048
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2021 answer text <p>The purpose of this instrument is to enable the Secretary of State to charge local authorities in England for using the Clean Air Zones Central Services (“CAZ Central Services”). The Government is creating the Services to support the practical implementation of Clean Air Zones (“CAZs”). A CAZ is an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality, which can include a charging scheme. The CAZ Central Services are national infrastructure services that can be used to administer CAZ charging schemes and include a digital service (including the ability to make payments online) and technical and customer contact support.</p><p>a) <em>What restrictions, if any, are there on the amount that local authorities can charge different types of non-compliant vehicles which enter a Clean Air Zone.</em></p><p> </p><p>The ability for charging authorities to introduce a charging scheme, and therefore a Clean Air Zone, is set out in the Transport Act 2000. Part 3 of the Act empowers local authorities (as “charging authorities”) to make a local charging scheme in respect of the use or keeping of motor vehicles on roads.</p><p> </p><p>Charge levels for non-compliant vehicles (those that do not meet the requirements of that particular Clean Air Zone) should be set appropriately based on the local circumstances of the local authority and should consider the behaviour change needed to deliver the ambitions for the zone; the local economic and social factors of the zone and surrounding areas; and the operational costs of running a scheme. There are no restrictions on the amount that local authorities can charge but local authorities should not set the level of charge as a revenue raising measure.</p><p>b) <em>Whether local authorities can retain such charges.</em></p><p> </p><p>Under the Transport Act 2000 the net proceeds of any charging schemes made under the Act can be retained but are only available to the local authority for the purpose of facilitating the achievement of its local transport policies. This can include the promotion of cycling and walking and other sustainable transport alternatives. A local authority has to give an indication of their plans for use of net proceeds in the Charge Scheme Orders that establish their road user charging schemes. This is a legal requirement that comes from the Transport Act 2000 powers, where the local authority has to relate their decision back to the relevant Transport Plan.</p><p>c) <em>Whether local authorities are required to use the Central Services set out in these Regulations, and what is the charge per transaction for the use of these services payable to the Department for Transport.</em></p><p> </p><p>Local authorities are not required to use the CAZ Central Services and can choose to use an alternative service provider if it does not negatively impact upon the time in which it takes to achieve compliance with legal levels for air quality (value for money must also be considered). Local authorities that use the service, will be charged a transaction charge of £2 for each CAZ charge that is processed through the Services (when a motorist uses the CAZ Central Services to successfully pay a CAZ charge imposed by a charging scheme made by the local authority, for driving in a zone).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 15/02/2021 12:50:53 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1284572

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish up-to-date forecasts of future demand for travel by rail; whether any such forecasts (1) will provide separate data for (a) commuting, and (b) long distance travel, and (2) will include reductions in peak and other passenger rail services; and what plans they have to ensure that any freed-up rail capacity will be made available to improve rail freight services.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL13051
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2021 answer text <p>The Department has not historically published forecasts of future rail demand.</p><p> </p><p>The Department continues to actively work to understand the impact of coronavirus on rail demand, including close working with industry. As part of this we are ensuring that we use a range of rail demand scenarios based on a series of factors that could drive rail demand over the short and long term to influence decisions, and which does consider the impact on commuting and long-distance travel. These scenarios do not consider reductions in peak and other passenger services.</p><p> </p><p>Given the considerable uncertainty that the pandemic has caused, these scenarios cannot be used as forecasts. However, they do reflect some of the possible impacts of the pandemic on future rail demand.</p><p> </p><p>Network Rail (NR) has enabled Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) to run longer and heavier trains on the network in light of the reduced passenger timetable during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering environmental and efficiency benefits. The Department continues to work closely with NR and FOC’s to explore further opportunities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 15/02/2021 12:45:21 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1284610

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
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	Pension Funds: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they take to ensure that pension funds and other institutional investors comply with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL13038
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government has taken action to ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are taken into account by institutional investors.</p><p> </p><p>2018 changes to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations require occupational pension schemes to have policies on financially material ESG factors and on stewardship of their investments. Trustees are also required to report annually on how these policies have been implemented. These policies may include considerations such as those set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and in relation to issues such as crimes against humanity and genocide.</p><p>There are also similar expectations on providers of contract-based pensions in respect of their pension investments. The Independent Governance Committees (IGCs) of these firms are expected to consider and report on their firm’s policies on ESG issues and stewardship for the products that the IGCs oversee.</p><p>The importance and growth of investing in line with ESG considerations is a focus area of the Asset Management Taskforce – a regular forum chaired by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury bringing together Government, industry, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other stakeholders. On 24 November 2020, the Asset Management Taskforce published “Investing With Purpose: placing stewardship at the heart of sustainable growth”. This report’s clear recommendations, which apply across the investment chain, will further enhance the UK’s stewardship regime aim to ensure that asset managers are focused on delivering long-term, sustainable benefits for investors, the economy, the environment and society.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Stewardship Code, which was strengthened in 2020, also sets out at Principle 7 the expectation that its investor signatories systematically integrate material social issues into stewardship and investment. Stewardship by asset owners and asset managers involves making informed decisions about where to invest, and proactive oversight of assets once invested. The FCA’s disclosure of commitment rule to the Stewardship Code, as well as rules promoting disclosure of asset managers’ engagement and investment strategies under Revised Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II), holds asset managers accountable and promotes the importance of stewardship. Consistent with the FCA’s objective to make relevant markets function well, stewardship activities improve market quality and integrity, and help create sustainable, long-term value for clients and beneficiaries, while having wider economic, environmental and societal benefits.</p><p> </p><p>The Government would also expect institutional investors to be monitoring risks to their investments posed by breaches of international human rights law.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that some investors have not focused on social factors as much as environmental factors such as climate change. The Department for Work and Pensions has therefore written to 40 large schemes to understand their current practices. It also intends to seek views on whether occupational pension schemes’ policies and practices on social risk factors are sufficiently robust and what the Government could do to ensure that trustees are able to meet their legal obligations in this respect.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL13039 question first answered 12/02/2021 13:03:53 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1284611

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
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	Pension Funds: Crimes against Humanity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they take to ensure that the investment strategies of pension funds and other institutional investors take into account (1) crimes against humanity, and (2) genocide, as social risk factors.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL13039
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government has taken action to ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are taken into account by institutional investors.</p><p> </p><p>2018 changes to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations require occupational pension schemes to have policies on financially material ESG factors and on stewardship of their investments. Trustees are also required to report annually on how these policies have been implemented. These policies may include considerations such as those set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and in relation to issues such as crimes against humanity and genocide.</p><p>There are also similar expectations on providers of contract-based pensions in respect of their pension investments. The Independent Governance Committees (IGCs) of these firms are expected to consider and report on their firm’s policies on ESG issues and stewardship for the products that the IGCs oversee.</p><p>The importance and growth of investing in line with ESG considerations is a focus area of the Asset Management Taskforce – a regular forum chaired by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury bringing together Government, industry, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other stakeholders. On 24 November 2020, the Asset Management Taskforce published “Investing With Purpose: placing stewardship at the heart of sustainable growth”. This report’s clear recommendations, which apply across the investment chain, will further enhance the UK’s stewardship regime aim to ensure that asset managers are focused on delivering long-term, sustainable benefits for investors, the economy, the environment and society.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Stewardship Code, which was strengthened in 2020, also sets out at Principle 7 the expectation that its investor signatories systematically integrate material social issues into stewardship and investment. Stewardship by asset owners and asset managers involves making informed decisions about where to invest, and proactive oversight of assets once invested. The FCA’s disclosure of commitment rule to the Stewardship Code, as well as rules promoting disclosure of asset managers’ engagement and investment strategies under Revised Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II), holds asset managers accountable and promotes the importance of stewardship. Consistent with the FCA’s objective to make relevant markets function well, stewardship activities improve market quality and integrity, and help create sustainable, long-term value for clients and beneficiaries, while having wider economic, environmental and societal benefits.</p><p> </p><p>The Government would also expect institutional investors to be monitoring risks to their investments posed by breaches of international human rights law.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that some investors have not focused on social factors as much as environmental factors such as climate change. The Department for Work and Pensions has therefore written to 40 large schemes to understand their current practices. It also intends to seek views on whether occupational pension schemes’ policies and practices on social risk factors are sufficiently robust and what the Government could do to ensure that trustees are able to meet their legal obligations in this respect.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL13038 question first answered 12/02/2021 13:03:53 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1284612

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
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	Myanmar: Sanctions
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 Burma Campaign's "Dirty List"; and what plans they have to impose sanctions on any firm which supports Myanmar's military.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL13040
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2021 answer text <p>The military's influence is pervasive across Myanmar's economy. Burma Campaign's &quot;Dirty List&quot; is one valuable input into our thinking on the military economy. We are clear that Myanmar needs responsible investors. Her Majesty's Government works closely with UK businesses to ensure that they conduct thorough due diligence to try and avoid exposure to military businesses. Between 2018 and 2020 the UK imposed targeted sanctions on 16 individuals responsible for human rights violations in Myanmar. We played a leading role in securing EU sanctions on 14 individuals. These have all been transitioned into UK law. In July 2020, we sanctioned the Commander-in-Chief and his Deputy, in our first tranche of designations under the Global Human Rights Sanctions regime. We have now sanctioned all six individuals named in the UN Fact Finding Mission Report.</p><p>We are working closely with international partners to ensure a coordinated and impactful response to the coup of 1 February. The UK will consider all the tools at its disposal, including sanctions.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/02/2021 17:42:48 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1284618

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Telephone Systems: Mildenhall and Salisbury
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Ofcom, and (2) Openreach, about the trials in Salisbury and Mildenhall for migrating customers to fibre and withdrawing copper services.
tabling member printed	Lord Clement-Jones
uin	HL13059
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2021 answer text <p>We are aware of Openreach’s plans to modernise its telecoms network to deliver telephone services over Internet Protocol technology and migrate customers from copper to fibre broadband. As part of this, it is undertaking trials in Salisbury and Mildenhall to test approaches to migration. Openreach has consulted on its plans for the trials and has publicly set out timings. In addition, Ofcom has consulted on changes to regulations in these areas to allow the trials to go ahead. Openreach hopes to complete full migrations in these areas by the end of 2022.</p><p>DCMS regularly engages with the telecoms industry, Ofcom, and other Government departments to discuss these upgrades, including Openreach’s trials. Discussions include the impact these upgrades will have on consumers, business and public services. In addition, DCMS has engaged with other Government departments to ensure they are aware of the trials and relevant local government services are prepared.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/02/2021 12:42:39 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3396 label Biography information for Lord Clement-Jones

1284674

registered interest
date	08/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Travel Restrictions: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the permissible reasons for UK citizens to travel internationally while the restrictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic are in place.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL13143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2021 answer text <p>As the Prime Minister said in his statement on 27 January, under the stay at home regulations it is illegal to leave home to travel abroad for leisure purposes.</p><p> </p><p>The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020 set out the legally permitted reasons to leave home, and therefore travel internationally. These reasons include compassionate visits, where one is visiting someone who is dying, or for essential work purposes.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 15/02/2021 12:46:01 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley