{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=2®isteredInterest=false&uin=HL3840", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?houseId=2®isteredInterest=false&uin=HL3840", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=2®isteredInterest=false&uin=HL3840&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&houseId=2®isteredInterest=false&uin=HL3840", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=2®isteredInterest=false&uin=HL3840", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=2®isteredInterest=false&uin=HL3840", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701609", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701609/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.<\/p>

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending any proceedings, as well as costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department\u2019s Accounting Officer, as happened in this case.<\/p>

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.<\/p>

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).<\/p>

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to members of the House of Commons, provided by that House at taxpayers\u2019 expense, designed to protect those members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission recently agreed in principle to provide professional indemnity insurance to members of this House.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4284", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Neville-Rolfe"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-30T16:54:19.773Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministers: Legal Costs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 12 March (HL Deb col 1904), what were the specific grounds for approval of the legal expenses of the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3396", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Clement-Jones"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Clement-Jones"} ], "uin" : "HL3840"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1546634", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1546634/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government already has the power to change the date of local elections by order under section 84 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is considering options to ensure people in Northern Ireland can celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III while ensuring the smooth running of the democratic process.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4581", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Caine"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Caine"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-07T14:44:36.817Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Elections: Local Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to give the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the power to change the date of the local elections in that country to avoid the counting of votes clashing with Coronation Day.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3801", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Browne of Belmont"} ], "uin" : "HL3840"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1366795", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1366795/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities.<\/p>

The Bishop of Truro's review provided recommendations for an enhanced Government response to support members of all faiths, beliefs, and those of no religious belief. We are making good progress on implementing all the recommendations, including on the recommendation to review the recommendations independently three years from publication of the report.<\/p>

Hosting an international Ministerial conference on FoRB in July 2022 will build on this ongoing commitment to promoting FoRB for all. Work to deliver this conference is underway, including early engagement with a range of stakeholders. Civil society, faith and belief actors have a key role to play in championing the right to FoRB - as plans progress, we will widen consultation further with FoRB stakeholders.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-11-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3841"} , {"_value" : "HL3842"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-11-22T16:50:18.85Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what progress they have made in organising a Ministerial Conference on freedom of religion or belief in July 2022, and (2) what steps they have taken, if any, to involve civil society and faith organisations in the planning and proceedings of this conference.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4345", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of Southwark"} ], "uin" : "HL3840"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1193299", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1193299/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

This Department continues to work closely with the British Business Bank on the design and implementation of the CBILS loan schemes. This includes discussions on monitoring the take-up of the loans across the UK. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy keeps in regular contact with each of the biggest CBILS lenders to monitor implementation to ensure that companies receive the full benefits of the support being provided.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department maintains close contact with UK Business Representative Organisations (BROs) to understand where support is needed most for businesses across the economy during the Coronavirus outbreak. This engagement includes, but is not limited to, the Federation for Small Businesses, the Confederation of British Industry, the British Chambers of Commerce, MAKE UK - the Manufacturers Organisation, UK Finance, and the Institute of Directors.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Secretary of State and my Hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business conduct calls with a range of BROs to discuss feedback from businesses on government support measures; and additional calls have been initiated to announce developments to the suite of COVID19 business finance.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Minister for Small Business has attended and answered questions at 4 public webinars in April and May including one hosted by Merton Chambers of Commerce. All were joined by a large number of SMEs.<\/p>

<\/p>

This Department has hosted a series of\u202ffree, live webinars for business and industry, week commencing 4 May, to help businesses understand the support available\u202fduring the COVID19 outbreak. Over 4,000 attendees joined the 5 May webinar. Officials presented updates on the CBILS scheme and tax issues and answered questions online.<\/p>

The webinars included:<\/p>