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Tuesday

23 October 2018

P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S

(HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND

WRITTEN ANSWERS

Written Statements ................................................ 1

Written Answers ..................................................... 2

Session 2017-19

No. 165

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at

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Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.

This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet

at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.

Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or

other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister Responsibilities

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

Lord Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Lord Ashton of Hyde Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local

Government and Wales Office

Baroness Buscombe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions

Lord Callanan Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union

Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip

Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office

Baroness Fairhead Minister of State, Department for International Trade

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs

Baroness Goldie Whip

Lord Henley Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy

Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland and Ministry of Justice Spokesperson

Baroness Manzoor Whip

Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care

Baroness Stedman-Scott Whip

Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip

Baroness Vere of Norbiton Whip

Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International

Development

Lord Young of Cookham Cabinet Office Spokesperson and Whip

Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip

© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2018

This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,

which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/



http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Written Statements 23 October 2018 Page 1

Written Statements Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Independent Reporting Commission

[HLWS996]

Lord Duncan of Springbank: My Right Honourable

friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen

Bradley) has today made the following Written

Ministerial Statement:

I have received the first substantive report from the

Independent Reporting Commission (IRC).

The IRC was established by the UK Government and

the Irish Government by way of an International Treaty to

report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity

connected with Northern Ireland. This emanated from the

Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015. The

Agreement set out the Northern Ireland Executive’s

responsibility for tackling paramilitary activity and

associated criminality. This work is being taken forward

through a Northern Ireland Executive Action Plan which

contains 43 recommendations.

This is a significant report which benchmarks the

progress which has been achieved to date and reminds us

of the challenging work still to be done to ensure that

communities are freed from the threat of paramilitarism.

The absence of a functioning Executive has obviously

had an impact on this important work. Despite intensive

efforts it has not yet been possible for the parties in

Northern Ireland to reach political agreement. I remain

resolute in finding a way forward in relation to that. This

is why I am taking legislation through this House to

provide for a limited period in which the parties can

engage in talks and form an Executive.

I have today presented this report, along with the IRC's

Annual Report and Accounts for 2017-18, before

Parliament.

I would like to thank the Commissioners for all of their

work to date.

Mutual Deferred Shares

[HLWS995]

Lord Bates: My honourable friend the Economic

Secretary to the Treasury (John Glen) has today made the

following Written Ministerial Statement.

The government has decided not to lay the secondary

legislation required to give effect to the provisions in the

Mutuals’ Deferred Shares Act 2015 which enable mutual

insurers to raise equity by issuing Mutual Deferred Shares

(MDS). The government has consulted widely with

industry representatives in reaching its decision. During

that consultation, industry representatives informed the

government that mutual insurers would only issue MDS if

they qualified as Tier 1 regulatory capital and would not

alter the tax status of any mutual that issued MDS. It has

not been possible to design MDS which meet both these

criteria. The government has, therefore, decided not to lay

the regulations. The government would reconsider its

position if any material factors changed in the future.

Prison Service Pay Review Body: Interim

Chair

[HLWS994]

Lord Keen of Elie: My honourable friend, Rory

Stewart OBE MP, Minister of State for Justice, has made

the following Written Ministerial Statement.

“I am pleased to announce that the Prime Minister has

appointed Mr Jerry Cope as interim Chair of the Prison

Service Pay Review Body for a period of one year which

commenced on 10 September 2018 and which ends on 9

September 2019. The appointment has been made in

accordance with the Governance Code on Public

Appointments.

Mr Cope will ensure that the Pay Review Body has the

necessary leadership while a recruitment campaign takes

place to identify a permanent Chair.”

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2018-10-23/HLWS996/



23 October 2018 Written Answers

Written Answers Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Ali Hajji

Asked by Lord Scriven

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the most

recent representations they have made concerning the

health of Bahraini political prisoner Ali Hajji; and

what assessment they have made of the investigation of

his case by oversight bodies. [HL10581]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Foreign and

Commonwealth Office and our Embassy in Bahrain

continue to monitor the case of Ali Hajji and have raised

it with the Government of Bahrain.

We encourage those with concerns about treatment in

detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini

human rights oversight body. We continue to encourage

the oversight bodies in Bahrain to carry out thorough and

swift investigations into any such claims.

Armed Forces: Numerical Strength

Asked by Lord Trefgarne

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the

numerical strength of (1) the Royal Navy, (2) the Royal

Naval Reserve, and (3) the Royal Marines. [HL10524]



numerical strength of (1) the British Army, and (2) the

Army Reserve. [HL10525]



numerical strength of (1) the Royal Air Force, and (2)

the Royal Air Force Reserve. [HL10526]

Earl Howe: The following table contains the numerical

strength of the Regular and Reserve Forces at July 2018.

Full Time Trained and

Trade Trained

Strength

Trained Future

Reserves 2020

Royal Navy/Royal

Marines

29,154 2,774

Army 76,877 26,789

RAF 30,276 2,557

Full Time Trained and Trade Trained includes UK

Regulars, Gurkhas and elements of Full Time Reserve

Service Personnel.

The figures are published in the Quarterly Service

Personnel Statistics at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl

oads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/735714/1_July

_2018_-_SPS.xlsx

Audit: Fines

Asked by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the

Written Answer by Lord Henley on 1 February

(HL5096), how much in fines was received and passed

on to other bodies in each of the years from 2004 to

2011 before the Statutory Auditors and Third Country

Auditors Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/649) came into

effect. [HL10459]

Lord Henley: We are informed by the Financial

Reporting Council (FRC) that the following fines were

imposed under the FRC’s Accountancy Scheme from

2004 to 2011 and passed to the participating body which

met the related case costs.

Year Total Fines received Fines passed to the accounting bodies

2004 NIL

2005 NIL

2006 NIL

2007 NIL

2008 £12,000 CAI

2009 NIL

2010 NIL

2011 £1,640,000 ICAEW

Key

ICAEW: The Institute of Chartered Accountants in

England and Wales

CAI: Chartered Accountants Ireland

Bahrain: Political Prisoners


To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment

they have made of the investigation conducted by the

National Institute for Human Rights in Bahrain which

denies the reported assault against female activists

Hajer Mansoor, Najah Yusuf and Medina Ali; and

what steps, if any, they have taken to ensure the

wellbeing of those activists. [HL10583]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Bahrain

and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continue to

monitor the cases of Hajer Mansoor, Najah Ahmed Yusuf

and Medina Ali. We have raised the cases at a senior level

with the Government of Bahrain.

We understand family members of Ms Mansoor have

been in direct contact with the oversight bodies. The UK

continues to encourage the oversight bodies in Bahrain to

carry out thorough and swift investigations into any

concerns about treatment in detention raised with them.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-10-10/HL10581




https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/735714/1_July_2018_-_SPS.xlsx






Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 3



they have made of the statement issued by Bahraini

political prisoners Hajer Mansoor, Medina Ali and

Najah Yusuf in relation to the restrictions that have

been imposed by the prison administration and Major

Mariam Albardoli; and how they intend to respond to

those women’s call for international intervention in

their case. [HL10584]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Bahrain

and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continue to

monitor the cases of Hajer Mansoor, Najah Ahmed Yusuf

and Medina Ali. We have raised the cases at a senior level

with the Government of Bahrain.


detention to report these to the appropriate oversight

body. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift

and thorough investigations into any such claims. We

understand that the National Institution for Human Rights

and the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman are aware of

these cases and have been in contact with the three

individuals.



they have made of the reported rape of Bahraini female

activists Ebtisam Alsaegh and Najah Yusuf by members

of Bahrain’s National Security Agency. [HL10585]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: I refer the noble Lord to

the answer I gave to Question HL844 on 26 July, when

the allegations from Ebtisam Alsaegh were first made.

The UK continues to encourage the Government of

Bahrain to deliver on its international and domestic

human rights commitments. We also encourage those

with concerns about treatment in detention to report these

to the relevant human rights oversight bodies, including

the National Institute for Human Rights and the National

Security Agency Ombudsman Office.

Bahrain: Prisons



they have made of the research conducted by Amnesty

International Continuing Lack of Adequate Medical

Care in Bahrain's Prisons, published on 28 September,

which found that 11 political prisoners suffering from

serious medical conditions were deliberately denied

treatment and that oversight bodies repeatedly failed to

provide effective protection or remedy in cases of

human rights violations. [HL10580]


Commonwealth Office notes the report by Amnesty

International published on 28 September. We continue to

closely monitor events in Bahrain and where we have

concerns, including on prison conditions, we raise them

with the Bahraini authorities.

We continue to encourage the oversight bodies to carry

out swift and thorough investigations into any such

claims.

Benin: Human Rights

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest

assessment of the human rights situation in Benin.

[HL10547]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government

strongly supports the delivery and upholding of human

rights for all. Benin have made welcome progress on

human rights, abolishing the death penalty and

implementing the Children's Code, adopted in 2015.

The continued practice of ritual infanticide in Benin

remains deeply troubling and we continue to urge the

Government to eradicate this practice.

The Government of Benin continues to harmonize

national legislation with international conventions, taking

measures, particularly in the security sector, to improve

the human rights situation.

Buses: Exhaust Emissions

Asked by Lord Bradshaw


Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 17 September

2018 (HL10203), how much capital grant was paid to

the bus industry to develop low emission vehicles in

2015/16 and 2016/17; and what is their estimate of the

capital grant for each of the next two financial years.

[HL10460]

Baroness Sugg: In the 2015/16 financial year there was

no capital grant paid to the bus industry for low emission

buses. For 2016/17 bus operators and local authorities

received £11.82 million to support the purchase of low

emission buses and supporting infrastructure, and for

2017/18 they received £13.95 million. They will receive

£4.63 million in 2018/19

From 2019 to 2021 they will receive a further £48

million to support the purchase of ultra-low emission

buses and supporting infrastructure.

Local authorities also received £7 million in 2015 for

retrofitting existing bus fleets to a Euro VI standard, with

an additional £40 million awarded in February 2018.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Asked by Lord Berkeley

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has so

far been spent by HS1 in settling Part 1 claims in

accordance with its Compensation Code; and what

percentage of HS1’s overall property spend that

represents. [HL10455]










Baroness Sugg: This is not information the Department

for Transport holds and is something that would be held

by London & Continental Railway (LCR).

China: Human Rights

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool


they have made of alleged human rights violations

against China's Uighur population and of reports that up

to one million Uighur have been sent to re-education

camps; and what representations they have made to the

government of China on these issues. [HL10450]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have serious

concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and

continued reports of the Chinese Government’s deepening

crackdown; including credible reports of re-education

camps and wide spread surveillance and restrictions

targeted at ethnic minorities. I raised our concerns about

Xinjiang with Vice Minister Guo Yezhou during my visit

to China on 22 July 2018. The Foreign Secretary also

raised our concerns about the region with Chinese State

Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit

to China on 30 July 2018. The UK raised our concerns

about Xinjiang in our Item 4 statement at the September

UN Human Rights Council.

Company Accounts: Standards

Asked by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their

Framework for the UK–EU partnership: Company law

(accounting and audit) presentation, published on 13

June, what is their intended process for endorsing the

International Accounting Standards for use in the UK.

[HL10458]

Lord Henley: The Department for Business, Energy

and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is working to develop a

UK framework for endorsement and adoption of

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

following the UK’s departure from the EU.

The new framework will be brought into effect by

secondary legislation made under the EU (Withdrawal)

Act 2018. The Act places limitations on government

powers with regard to transferring functions that are

currently undertaken by EU agencies to UK authorities.

As a result, any UK specific process will replicate the

existing EU process for endorsement and adoption of

IFRS to the extent it is possible to do so within the

context of the existing UK companies’ reporting and

regulatory framework.

BEIS is working with stakeholders to ensure that

decisions about the process are informed by the views of

stakeholders that represent users and preparers of

accounts as well as their regulators.

We will lay the Statutory Instrument in Parliament in

due course.

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many adults

are currently sectioned under the Mental Health Act

2007; and what is the (1) average, and (2) median

lengths of the restrictions to which they are subject.

[HL10624]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The information is not available

in the format requested.


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

powers to restrict an individual’s liberty in the Mental

Health Act 2007 are used differently within the regions

of England, and between England, Wales and Scotland.

[HL10625]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Mental Health Act 1983, as

amended in 2007, operates in England and Wales only.

The powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 are the

same within the regions of England.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Asked by Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate

To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance

they will provide to Clinical Commissioning Groups for

making available the FreeStyle Libre glucose

monitoring system to all diabetics who require it.

[HL10616]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: In January 2018, NHS England

issued guidance in the form of a letter to clinical

commissioning groups (CCGs) concerning the provision

of glucose monitoring devices. The guidance states that

the treatment of diabetes and the provision of glucose

monitoring devices is a service commissioned by

individual CCGs. Local CCGs are responsible for

deciding how they allocate resources dependant on the

needs of their local population. A copy of this guidance

has been attached.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Letter to CCGs on glucose monitoring devices [NHS England

Blood glucose monitoring systems letter.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-10-11/HL10616

Director of Labour Market Enforcement

Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend

to respond to the Director of Labour Market

Enforcement's Strategy Document for 2018–19; and

what plans they have to implement its

recommendations. [HL10587]















Lord Henley: The Government is carefully considering

all 37 recommendations made by the Director of Labour

Market Enforcement and we will respond in due course.

Elias Faisal Al-Mulla


To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent

representations they have made about the case of

Bahraini prisoner Elyas Al-Mulla, following research

conducted by Amnesty International Continuing Lack

of Adequate Medical Care in Bahrain's Prisons,

published on 28 September. [HL10582]


Commonwealth Office notes the report by Amnesty

International published on 28 September. We continue to

closely monitor events in Bahrain and where we have

concerns, including on prison conditions, we raise them

with the Bahraini authorities.


detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini

human rights oversight body.

Energy: Waste

Asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have to encourage greater use of energy from waste.

[HL10559]

Lord Henley: We recognise the important role of

energy from waste in promoting clean growth,

decarbonisation and reducing waste to landfill, but it must

not compete with greater recycling, reuse and prevention.

We provide support for Energy from Waste with

Combined Heat and Power through the Contract for

Difference and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes, but

we do not provide support for energy generation alone as

it is economically viable without support

Environment Protection: Taxation

Asked by Baroness Brown of Cambridge

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they

intend to maintain the Carbon Price Support rates, set in

the 2016 Budget, for the period through to 2020–21;

and how their policy in the area relates to the Total

Carbon Price, established in the Autumn Budget 2017.

[HL10463]

Lord Bates: The government announced at Spring

Budget 2016 that the Carbon Price Support rates would

remain at £18/tCO 2 in 2019-20 and then be uprated by

RPI in 2020-21.

At Autumn Budget 2017, the government stated that the

Total Carbon Price - currently made up of the Carbon

Price Support Rate and the EU Emissions Trading System

- was set at the right level and that the government would

continue to target a similar price.

All taxes are kept under review and any changes to the

Carbon Price Support rates, and therefore the Total

Carbon Price, will be made at fiscal events in the usual

way.

Eritrea: UN Human Rights Council

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty's Government what

assessment they have made of the likelihood of Eritrea

being elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the

period 2019–21. [HL10608]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Eritrea were elected to

the Human Rights Council on 12 October along with

Burkina Faso, Togo, Cameroon, and Somalia for the five

African Group seats.

Financial Services: Regulation

Asked by Lord Myners


they have made of the (1) data, and (2) powers available

to regulators to manage the systemic risk linked to the

non-bank lending, or "shadow banking" sector.

[HL10501]

Lord Bates: The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) of

the Bank of England is the body responsible for

monitoring systemic risks in the financial sector including

risk outside the core banking sector, such as non-bank

lending.

The FPC performs an annual review of risk and

regulation beyond the core banking sector. Following on

from this assessment the FPC decides on whether to make

a recommendation to the Treasury to grant the FPC an

expansion of its regulatory perimeter or additional tools.

However, the FPC is not limited to making requests at

this time, it can make a recommendation as soon as it

identifies a need. The last review was in November 2017

where they decided no such recommendations were

needed. The next review will be in their next meeting

which is currently scheduled for November 2018. The

FPC’s recent assessment (October 2018) on the systemic

risks posed by non-bank lending has highlighted the

growth in leveraged lending as a concern and the

Committee will review the issue again in its next meeting

in November.

Forestry

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they

have made in appointing the National Tree Champion.

[HL10481]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Sir William Worsley,

Chair of the National Forest Company, was appointed as

the National Tree Champion on 13 June.












Gambling

Asked by Lord Chadlington


they have made of the case for the development of a

national strategy for the prevention and treatment of

harms resulting from gambling. [HL10471]

Lord Ashton of Hyde: The Review of Gaming

Machines and Social Responsibility has taken action to

reduce gambling-related harm and ensure that those

experiencing problems can access the help they need. As

well as reducing the maximum stake from £100 to £2 on

B2 gaming machines, government's response announced

increased safeguards on online gambling and strengthened

protections around gambling advertising. We also set out

measures to improve understanding of gambling-related

harm, how to prevent and reduce it, the need for treatment

and the most effective means of delivering it. We are

working closely with the Gambling Commission, Public

Health England, GambleAware and health bodies on the

follow up to these initiatives.

Prior to the Review, the Responsible Gambling Strategy

Board (RGSB), the independent advisors to the Gambling

Commission, published a three year National Responsible

Gambling Strategy in 2016. The strategy identified 12

areas for action by a range of bodies, including

developing a better understanding of gambling-related

harm and identifying improvements in treatment. Regular

progress reports have been published and the Commission

is working with the RGSB and partners on the shaping of

a future strategy.

Gambling: Mental Illness


To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of

police call outs in the last 12 months they estimate can

be attributed to mental health problems connected with

gambling-related harm. [HL10469]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office

does not hold the information requested centrally.

Government Departments: Databases

Asked by Lord Freyberg

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any

Government controlled data sets are cited as capital

assets on the Whole of Government Accounts; and if

so, which ones. [HL10476]

Lord Bates: The UK follows standards as set by the

International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Data

sets are an intangible asset and would therefore be

covered by IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The UK

government follows IAS 38 as adapted for the public

sector. The Government Financial Reporting Manual

2018-19 sets out these interpretations and adaptations.

The latest available publication of Whole of Government

Accounts 2016-17 reports government’s intangible assets

as totalling £34.5 billion at 31 March 2017. HM Treasury

does not collect information on the value of data sets

within this total or where they are held. The accounting

policy used by the Whole of Government Accounts in

recognising intangible assets is as follows (per page 82 of

the 2016-17 accounts): “Intangible assets are recognised

if it is probable that they will result in future economic

benefits to the government and if their cost can be

measured reliably. Intangible assets are initially

recognised at cost and subsequently valued based on

current value in existing use. Where no active market

exists, intangible assets are revalued using indices or

another suitable model.”


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is an

internationally accepted methodology for valuing raw

data assets on government balance sheets; and if not,

what consideration they have given to developing one

with international partners. [HL10479]


International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which

is an internationally recognised standard setter. The UK

Government applies International Financial Reporting

Standards (IFRS) as adapted and interpreted for the public

sector. Data sets are an intangible asset and would

therefore be covered by IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The

UK government follows IAS 38 as adapted for the public

sector.

Under this standard, raw data would be unlikely to meet

the definition of a recognisable asset. The government is

unlikely to diverge from IFRS accounting standards in the

Whole of Government Accounts



they have made of the extent to which their

methodology for valuing raw data assets on government

balance sheets differs from private sector practices.

[HL10538]

Lord Bates: The UK Government follows standards as

set by the International Accounting Standards Board

(IASB), which are the same standards used by the

majority of private sector bodies (for more information

please see the Companies Act 2006). Raw data is an

intangible asset and would therefore be covered by IAS

38 Intangible Assets. The UK government follows IAS 38

as adapted for the public sector. The Government

Financial Reporting Manual 2018-19 sets out these

interpretations and adaptations.

Greece: Immigration



they have made of (1) the UK contribution to EU funds,

and (2) British seconded personnel to EU agencies to

improving conditions for refugees and migrants who

have entered Greece; and to what extent such work has








reduced overcrowding and improved sanitation in

camps on Aegean islands, particularly the Moria camp.

[HL10488]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK contributes

to the EU budget, through which funding has been made

available for Greece. The Greek Government is

responsible for the humanitarian response in Greece and

makes use of EU funding for this purpose.

In support of the EU-Turkey Statement the UK

continues to second experts to the EU Commission to

support its efforts in working with Greece to improve

living and security conditions for migrants in the camps

on the island hotspots. The UK also continues to provide

experts (flow managers, vulnerability experts, and

caseworkers) to support the work of the European Asylum

Support Office in Greece in line with the needs identified.

UK experts pay attention to protecting vulnerable

migrants, including unaccompanied children, from

smuggling, trafficking and exploitation.

The UK separately provides interpreters to support the

work of the Greek Reception and Identification Service in

the island camps. Our interpreters support the processing

of arriving migrants, including through facilitating

vulnerability and medical assessments to ensure those

most in need of help can access it from the Greek

authorities.

Our experts and interpreters receive consistent positive

feedback from the EU Commission and the Greek

authorities for the valuable work they continue to carry

out on the islands.

High Speed 2 Railway Line


To ask Her Majesty's Government how HS2 will

ensure the stability of the tracks when they pass over

large sink holes in the areas of old mine workings;

when a detailed geological survey will be done in those

areas; and how the track alignment and levels will be

maintained in areas where continuous settlement is

likely. [HL10453]

Baroness Sugg: HS2 Ltd is following an established

process of risk management to ultimately ensure the

stability of high-speed rail infrastructure in all areas. This

includes detailed desk study (the acquisition and

interpretation of existing available data), field

investigation including geological survey, interpretation

of ground conditions, design, construction and

maintenance through operation.

At each stage the level of site-specific knowledge

increases and the risk is reduced. Mining-related hazards

will be investigated within this process, and will be

mitigated. Voiding in the ground due to the presence of

mineworkings is such a hazard, since if left untreated it

could result in sinkholes.


To ask Her Majesty's Government what UK and

European standards are being used by HS2 to determine

the design and layout of rolling stock, tunnels and cross

passages, the procedures for evacuation of passengers,

and fire safety in its tunnel sections. [HL10454]

Baroness Sugg: HS2s design complies with the EU

Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) as

required under Railways (Interoperability) Regulations

2011. These specifications define the basis of an

integrated mainline railway covering rolling stock;

energy; infrastructure; control, command & signalling,

safety in railway tunnels and persons of reduced mobility

structural and transverse subsystems.

In addition HS2 is compliant with wider UK legislation

(e.g. the Railways Act 1993 or various electrical safety

legislation etc) which imparts additional requirements and

standards onto the railway.

HS2 Rolling stock is also compliant with the Railway

Group Standards (RGSs) and (where appropriate)

Railway Industry Standards (RISs) as this is part of the

licence conditions for operating on Network Rail

infrastructure.

India: Dalits

Asked by Lord Harries of Pentregarth

To ask Her Majesty's Government what

representations they are making to the government of

India about the arrest on 28 August of five Indian Dalit

human rights activists during simultaneous police raids

conducted in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Faridabad, Pune,

Ranchi, and Goa. [HL10484]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Any allegation of human

rights abuse is of conern and the FCO believe must be

investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. The

Government remains committed to promoting and

defending human rights and we expect all countries to

comply with their international legal obligations in this

regard.

We have not raised this particular case with the

Government of India, but we do raise concerns more

broadly where necessary. The British High Commission

in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High

Commissions continue to monitor the human rights

situation in India and work with civil society on projects

that protect and promote human rights. For example, our

officials in India helped create the first ever network of

Dalit Women Human Rights Defenders trained as

paralegals.

Iran: Guided Weapons

Asked by The Marquess of Lothian

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have

sought information from the Iranian authorities about

the purpose of a development in Wadi Jahannam near







Baniyas in northwest Syria reported by ImageSat in

August, further to reports that it is an Iranian missile

factory. [HL10557]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of reports

of an Iranian missile factory in northwest Syria. The

Government is concerned about Iranian activity in Syria

and the risks of escalation of regional tensions. We

regularly raise these concerns with the Iranian

Government, including during the Minister for the Middle

East and North Africa’s visit to Tehran in September,

when he was accompanied by the UK’s Special

Representative for Syria.

Iran: USA

Asked by The Marquess of Lothian

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions

they have had with the government of the United

States about the objectives of the Iran Action Group

created by the United States State Department on 16

August, in particular the commitment to a whole-of-

government effort to change the Iranian regime’s

behaviour. [HL10554]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Ministers and officials

across Government regularly discuss Iran policy with

their US counterparts, including staff in the Iran Action

Group. The Prime Minister and President Trump most

recently discussed Iran policy when they met at the UN

General Assembly in September. Where we have

differences, we discuss these frankly, but we are also

clear about the areas where we agree, such as the need to

address Iran’s destabilising regional behaviour and

missile activity. We await more detail from the US on

their proposals on the way forward.

Israel: Bedouin

Asked by Baroness Tonge

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will

take action to protect the village of Khan al-Ahmar in

the Occupied West Bank against the reported attempt

by settlers to drive the villagers out using waste water.

[HL10592]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is monitoring

the situation in Khan al-Ahmar closely. The Minister for

the Middle East urged the Israeli Ambassador to

reconsider plans to demolish the village on 11 October

and our Ambassador to Israel raised the proposed

demolition with the Israeli authorities on 3 October. We

have also stressed to the Israeli authorities the importance

of Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection

to the Palestinian civilian population from settler violence

and intimidation.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Asked by Lord Moonie

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many firm

orders for F-35 Lightning aircraft have been placed; and

when they are expected to be delivered. [HL10497]

Earl Howe: The UK has placed 18 firm orders for F-

35B Lightning aircraft, 16 of which have been delivered.

The 17th aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of

the year, and the 18th is expected in summer 2019.


To ask Her Majesty's Government when the

Deployable F-35 Operations Facility at RAF Marham is

expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability;

and whether it is air-portable. [HL10498]

Earl Howe: The Deployable F-35 Operations Facility

at RAF Marham is ready for use, with formal initial

operating capability expected in February 2019. The

facility is air-portable.


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1)

Royal Air Force, and (2) Royal Navy, pilots are

qualified to fly the F-35 Lightning aircraft. [HL10499]

Earl Howe: There are currently 26 pilots qualified to

fly the F-35 Lightning aircraft, 15 Royal Air Force and 11

Royal Navy.


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

Deployable F-35 Operations Facility could be deployed

on an aircraft carrier. [HL10500]

Earl Howe: Yes. However, the Deployable F-35

Operations Facility is intended for deployments on land.

Mental Health Services

Asked by Lord Crisp

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will

publish their response to the report by the Independent

Commission on Adult Acute Psychiatric Care in

England Old Problems, New Solutions, published in

February 2016; and if so, when. [HL10537]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: NHS England intends to publish

a formal response to the Independent Commission on

Adult Acute Psychiatric Care in England as soon as the

contents of the acute mental healthcare pathway have

been finalised.

An acute mental health care pathway for adults,

including best practice case studies, has been developed.

This is currently being reviewed to ensure that it is in line











with and supports the wider Five Year Forward View for

Mental Health and the long-term plan for the National

Health Service (which is currently in development

following the Government’s announcement of a new five-

year funding settlement for the NHS, which would deliver

an average annual growth of 3.4% over the next five

years). The aim is to ensure that the pathway provides the

most helpful and relevant guidance to both commissioners

and providers within the current context.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young

People



they have made of the report by the Education Policy

Institute Access to children and young people's mental

health services—2018, published 7 October, which

states that the number of referrals to specialist child and

adolescent mental health services in England has

increased by 26 per cent over the last five years.

[HL10470]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: It is not possible to assess any

meaningful trend in referral data. The current data

available through the mental health services monthly

statistics releases are experimental data and the data

quality and coverage is improving over time.

The information in the Education Policy Institute’s

report is based on 54 Freedom of Information responses.

We cannot be certain whether the 54 responses received

are representative of all providers. It is difficult therefore

to be confident in the rise in referrals suggested in the

report.

Music

Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick


they have made of the effect of Brexit on the UK music

industry. [HL10514]

Lord Ashton of Hyde: We are committed to

supporting and promoting a thriving live music industry

and ensuring the continued growth of this vital and

vibrant sector. The music industry is one of the UK's

greatest success stories, producing an extraordinary level

of talent recognised and respected the world over. The

UK's decision to leave the EU will not change that.

Neither will it diminish our outstanding creativity.

My department has held a series of roundtables with the

creative sector on the impacts and opportunities affecting

the creative industries as a result of the UK’s exit from

the EU, including representatives from the music industry

regarding touring musicians and crews and we continue to

work closely with the sector at official level.

We understand that outward mobility of creative talent

is key to the success of the creative industries, especially

for sub-sectors like music where touring is the life-blood

of the industry, and we recognise the importance of

temporary movement of goods and equipment for touring

musicians.

The phased introduction of the Facilitated Customs

Arrangement (FCA) we have proposed in the White Paper

on The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom

and European Union would remove the need for customs

checks and controls between the UK and the EU, as if

they were a combined customs territory.

The UK has made significant progress in the separation

negotiations, including on intellectual property. In

particular, we have agreed that any EU trade mark or

Community design that is registered or published before

the end of the implementation period will continue to be

protected in the UK by a comparable right.

The UK-level right will be granted automatically and

without any charges or re-examination. We are currently

engaging in discussions with the EU on the remaining

issues, with the aim of moving swiftly on to the

substantive discussions for our future relationship.

The UK has one of the best IP regimes in the world, and

leaving the EU will not change that.

We will continue to deliver quality rights granting

services, lead the world in enforcement and actively

engage in international IP discussions.

National Cyber Security Centre

Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the role of

the National Cyber Security Centre. [HL10612]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The National Cyber

Security Centre (NCSC) was created in 2016 as part of

the Government's five-year National Cyber Security

Strategy. The NCSC was set up to help protect our critical

services from cyber attacks, manage major incidents,

develop cyber skills and technology, and provide advice

to citizens and organisations. Its vision is to help make the

UK the safest place to live and do business online. The

NCSC provides a single point of contact for private and

public sector organisations for all matters relating to cyber

security.

National Insurance

Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many

National Insurance numbers were (1) issued, and (2)

deleted in each of the last three years for which records

are available. [HL10644]

Baroness Buscombe: The requested information at

point (1) is not available and can only be provided at

disproportionate cost.

The requested information at point (2) National

Insurance Numbers (NINO) are not deleted. Once they

have been allocated they are registered on Her Majesty’s

Revenue and Customs (HMRC) E-NIRS system where

they remain indefinitely.








To ask Her Majesty's Government how many

National Insurance numbers were issued in each of the

(1) countries of the UK, and (2) regions of England in

each of the last three years for which records are

available. [HL10645]

Baroness Buscombe: The requested information is not

available and can only be provided at disproportionate

cost.

National Insurance: Foreign Nationals


To ask Her Majesty's Government which five

countries had the most overseas nationals being

allocated National Insurance numbers in each of the last

three years for which records are available. [HL10728]

Baroness Buscombe: The available information on the

five countries with the most overseas nationals being

allocated National insurance numbers can be found within

our published statistics National Insurance Number

Allocations to Adult Overseas Nationals entering the UK.

The latest available information is up to June 2018

Below is a table of allocated NINos per country for the

top 5 countries for the last three calendar and financial

years. Taken from the published stats

Calendar

Year

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

2015 Romania

169,888

Poland

111,270

Italy

58,653

Spain

50,028

Bulgaria

39,189

2016 Romania

189,023

Poland

93,372

Italy

62,984

Spain

47,741

Bulgaria

42,342

2017 Romania

154,014

Poland

61,821

Italy

50,880

Bulgaria

38,744

Spain

35,642

Financial

Year

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

2015/16 Romania

179,242

Poland

108,672

Italy

57,293

Spain

48,498

Bulgaria

39,643

2016/17 Romania

181,882

Poland

83,589

Italy

61,751

Spain

44,075

Bulgaria

42,052

2017/18 Romania

147,956

Poland

58,370

Italy

47,887

Bulgaria

37,223

Spain

34,599

Ports

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn


they have made of (1) the impact of Brexit on the

productivity of the UK's ports, and (2) the likely impact

on the UK's ports of a no-deal Brexit. [HL10561]

Baroness Sugg: Her Majesty's Government is seeking

to negotiate arrangements whereby trade will flow as

frictionlessly as possible, facilitating continuing growth in

unit load traffic and port productivity. In the event of a

no-deal outcome, the aim is to ensure that UK border

controls at the frontier enable traffic to continue to flow

efficiently through our ports.

Public Bodies: Intellectual Property


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether for

accounting purposes they treat intellectual property

generated by public bodies in the same way as other EU

Member States. [HL10478]


International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The

UK Government applies International Financial Reporting


sector. EU Member States may also apply IFRS,

International Public Sector Accounting Standards

(IPSAS) or prepare their accounts on a cash basis. There

are no material differences in the standards issued by

IASB (IAS 38) and IPSASB (IPSAS 31) on the

accounting treatment of intellectual property.

Public Sector: Assets


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK’s

intangible assets are accounted for using an

internationally recognised methodology. [HL10477]


International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which

is an internationally recognised standard setter. The UK

Government applies International Financial Reporting


sector. The relevant financial standard for intangible

assets is IAS 38. The Government Financial Reporting

Manual 2018-19 sets out these interpretations and

adaptations.

Railway Stations: Cambridge

Asked by Lord Patten


Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 18 September

(HL10000), whether the estimated £46.8 million

national and regional economic benefit derived from the

building of the new Cambridge South station represents

an annual benefit or the total over a period of time.

[HL10507]

Baroness Sugg: The estimated national and regional

benefits in the Strategic Outline Business Case are for the

standard 60 year appraisal period used by the Department

for infrastructure schemes.

Railways: Flood Control

Asked by Lord Patten

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they

have taken to protect the railways in Somerset, Devon









and Cornwall from flood water damage since 2012.

[HL10503]

Baroness Sugg: Network Rail have undertaken flood

resilience work since 2012 at the following locations in

Devon and Somerset: Cowley Bridge, Athelney, Hele &

Bradninch, Flax Bourton, Whiteball and Axe & Broom.

These were part of a programme of ten flood resilience

schemes representing an investment of £31.3m by the

Government.

Railways: Freight



they have made of industry support for continuing to

link UK rail freight networks to European Rail Freight

Corridors after Brexit; and what impact that would have

on the level of rail freight traffic in the UK. [HL10452]

Baroness Sugg: Rail freight plays an important role in

supporting the UK’s future prosperity after we leave the

EU, and our connections to the continent through the

Channel Tunnel are vital.

Use of the North Sea – Mediterranean Corridor has

been negligible in the UK, with only one path requested

to date. Freight operating companies prefer to use access

rights granted under national rules which offer greater

certainty, with over 2,000 rail freight services running

through the Channel Tunnel in 2017. To facilitate the

continued smooth functioning and operation of cross-

border rail services, the Government has agreed with the

Article 50 Task Force that the UK will negotiate bilateral

arrangements with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands,

as well as the Republic of Ireland.

Religious Freedom


To ask Her Majesty's Government in what ways, if

any, they plan to mark the International Day for

Freedom of Religion or Belief on 27 October; and

whether they will issue guidance to all embassies and

overseas missions on the UK policy on such freedom.

[HL10613]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Prime Minister

demonstrated the British Government's commitment to

promoting freedom of religion or belief when in July this

year she appointed me as her special envoy. The British

Government sees International Religious Freedom Day on

27 October as an opportunity to reflect on the persecution

suffered around the world by people due to their religion

or beliefs; and to promote respect between communities .

The British Government will mark the day on social

media, and through an event jointly hosted by myself and

Lord Bates on 7 November to mark the occasion. We will

also use the occasion to re-issue the Foreign and

Commonwealth Office's toolkit on Freedom of Religion

or Belief to all of our overseas embassies and missions

across our global network, and encourage them to

promote and defend this important human right. Finally

we are pleased that almost £1 million of funding has been

allocated to pursue our freedom of religion or belief

policy objectives through the Magna Carta Fund for

Human Rights and Democracy.

Royal Navy Ships: Days Spent at Sea


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days

each Type 23 frigate has spent at sea from 2016 to date.

[HL10495]


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days (1)

the HMS Albion, (2) the HMS Bulwark, and (3) all the

bay-class LSD(A)s have spent at sea from 2016 to date.

[HL10496]


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days

each Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker has spent at sea from

2016 to date. [HL10566]

Earl Howe: The normal operating cycle of every ship

involves them entering different readiness levels

depending on their programmes and Departmental

planning requirements.

From records scrutinised, the number of days HMS

Albion, HMS Bulwark, all the bay-class Landing Ship

Dock Auxiliaries, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tankers

and Type 23 Frigates spent at sea in each year from 1

January 2016 to 30 September 2018, is shown below:

YEAR 2016 2017 2018

HMS ALBION 0 72 120

HMS BULWARK 133 0 0

RFA CARDIGAN BAY 107 145 124

RFA LYME BAY 114 65 107

RFA MOUNTS BAY 202 127 130

RFA WAVE KNIGHT 171 201 46

RFA WAVE RULER 0 137 0

RFA TIDEFORCE 0 0 46

RFA TIDERACE 16 43 37

RFA TIDESPRING 1 82 118

RFA TIDESURGE 0 4 41

HMS ARGYLL 0 111 117

HMS LANCASTER 0 0 0

HMS IRON DUKE 132 94 0

HMS MONMOUTH 113 209 82

HMS MONTROSE 0 41 95

HMS WESTMINSTER 0 126 116

HMS RICHMOND 73 51 0

HMS NORTHUMBERLAND 0 0 65












HMS SOMERSET 113 95 61

HMS SUTHERLAND 127 103 154

HMS KENT 67 0 36

The records for the RFA Tide Class also reflect their

customisation and trials packages required for their entry

into service. While deployed away from the UK, ships

will spend days at sea and alongside in ports around the

world.

Small Businesses: Digital Technology

Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment,

if any, they have made of the research conducted by

Atos UK & Ireland which found that more than 1.6

million small businesses could grow radically if they

improved their digital skills. [HL10590]

Lord Ashton of Hyde: Government welcomes this

addition to the digital skills evidence base from Atos, and

will consider it alongside other research.

As part of Government’s ongoing commitment to raise

digital capability, it has established the Digital Skills

Partnership (DSP). Lloyds Banking Group and the

Federation of Small Businesses lead a DSP delivery

group on digital enterprise, which specifically focuses on

increasing digital skills among SMEs and charities.

Trans-European Networks



they have made of the effect the European

Commission’s draft proposal for a Regulation of the

European Parliament and of the Council (1.8.2018

COM(2018) 568 final 2018/0299 (COD)), amending

Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, with regard to the

withdrawal of the UK from the EU will have on the UK

economy after Brexit. [HL10451]

Baroness Sugg: The Government has made no

assessment of the effect of this proposal, which is the

result of the European Union’s own preparations for a “no

deal” scenario. It is a change to the definition of the

corridor which will enable the Republic of Ireland to

maintain direct links to the mainland of Europe. The

government is making similar plans for the unlikely event

of a “no deal” scenario, but is confident of achieving a

deal, which is in the interests of all parties.


To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding

the UK has received under TEN-T programmes during

the last five years; and whether they will make a similar

amount of funding available for the five years after

Brexit. [HL10456]

Baroness Sugg: For the current Multi-Annual Financial

Framework (2014-2020), we have received approximately

€345 million.

Under the draft Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will

continue to participate in all EU programmes, including

the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), until programme

closure. This means that UK projects will continue to be

able to bid for CEF funding until the end of the

programme in 2020.

To provide even more certainty, the Chancellor has

guaranteed funding for certain EU funded projects agreed

before the end of 2020. This ensures that UK

organisations, such as charities, businesses and

universities, will continue to receive funding over a

project’s lifetime if they successfully bid into EU-funded

programmes before the end of 2020, even in the unlikely

event of a no-deal scenario.

Type 31 Frigates



they have made of why they have not received any

compliant bids in the first round of bidding for the Type

31e frigate. [HL10568]

Earl Howe: I am withholding the information

requested as its release would prejudice the commercial

interests of the bidders and of the Ministry of Defence.

UK Permanent Representation to the EU:

Staff

Asked by Lord Empey

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people

are currently employed at the UK Representation Office

in Brussels; and what estimate they have made of the

cost of their employment in the current financial year.

[HL10472]

Asked by Lord Empey

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people

they estimate will be employed at the UK

Representation Office in Brussels in the financial year

2019–20; and what they estimate to be the cost of that

employment. [HL10473]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Permanent

Representation to the EU (UKRep) in Brussels currently

employs over 150 people, comprising both permanent

civil servants from multiple Government Departments and

locally recruited staff. We are therefore unable to provide

a breakdown of employment costs as this data is not held

centrally by the FCO and to compile it would incur

disproportionate cost. We keep the size and shape of

UKRep under constant review to ensure it is appropriate

to deliver the UK’s objectives.

Warships


To ask Her Majesty's Government to which city or

town each Type 23 frigate and Type 45 destroyer is









affiliated; and how many official visits or events with

its affiliated city or town each has taken part in from

2016 to date. [HL10567]

Earl Howe: Royal Navy ships can be affiliated with a

number of cities, towns and local bodies and

organisations. Official visits can be by either Royal Navy

ships or by members of a ship’s company attending local

engagements. The records of the Royal Navy Regional

Commands show the following affiliation visits for Type

23 and Type 45 ships:

Type 23 Town/City Visits

HMS ARGYLL Argyll and Bute

HMS IRON DUKE Kingston Upon Hull

and Jersey

Visit to

Kingston Upon Hull in 2017

HMS KENT County of Kent and The Confederation of

Cinque Ports

Visits to both affiliates in

2016

HMS LANCASTER City of Lancaster

HMS MONMOUTH County of Monmouthshire;

Monmouth Town

and Borough


2016

HMS MONTROSE Angus District

Council, Town of Montrose and Fowey

Visits to both

affiliates in 2018

HMS

NORTHUMBERLAND

County of

Northumberland

Visit to the

county in 2018

HMS PORTLAND Borough of Weymouth and

Portland and

Portland Town Council


2016

HMS RICHMOND Richmond and Richmond Upon

Thames


2017

HMS SOMERSET County of Somerset,

City of Wells and the

City of Bath

Visit to the

county and the

city of Wells in 2017

HMS St ALBANS City and District of St Albans

Visit to the city in 2018 and

District in 2016

HMS SUTHERLAND County of Sutherland Visit to the

county in 2016

HMS WESTMINSTER City of Westminster Visit in 2018

Type 45 Town/City Visit

HMS DARING City of Birmingham

and Guernsey

Visit to

Guernsey in 2016

HMS DAUNTLESS City of Newcastle and town of Great

Yarmouth

HMS DEFENDER City of Glasgow and City of Exeter

Visit to Exeter in 2017

HMS DIAMOND City of Coventry and City of Aberdeen

Visit to Aberdeen in

2018

HMS DRAGON City of Cardiff and

City of York

HMS DUNCAN City of Dundee and

City of Belfast

Visit to Belfast

in 2016

Work Experience

Asked by Lord Holmes of Richmond


Written Answers by Lord Henley on 17 May (HL7805,

HL7806, HL7807, and HL7809), what progress they

have made in fulfilling their commitments, in particular

the commitments to (1) hold a roundtable discussion

with employers and leaders from sectors that commonly

use interns, (2) update guidance for employers and

workers on the rules for paying interns, and (3) publish

further details on enforcement of the National

Minimum Wage. [HL10486]

Lord Henley: The Government is clear that all interns

who are conducting work should be paid at least the

National Minimum Wage. We will publish updated

guidance in due course to ensure employers are clear on

their responsibilities. This guidance clarifies the checks

employers need to make to ensure they are paying interns

properly.

The Government has been focusing enforcement efforts

towards employers of interns. HM Revenue and Customs

have contacted over 2,000 employers found to be

advertising on the internet for unpaid internships. Each

employer is written a letter to make the law clear, and to

set out the risk of further enforcement action. HM

Revenue and Customs will shortly expand this approach.

Government Ministers are planning a roundtable meeting

with employers later this year.

The Government recently published National Living

Wage and National Minimum Wage: government

evidence on compliance and enforcement, 2017 to 2018.

This is publicly available in the attached.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND NATIONAL MINIMUM

WAGE [nmw-nlw-enforcement-compliance-report-2018.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-10-09/HL10486






Index to Statements and Answers

Written Statements ................................................. 1

Independent Reporting Commission .................... 1

Mutual Deferred Shares ........................................ 1

Prison Service Pay Review Body: Interim Chair . 1

Written Answers ..................................................... 2

Ali Hajji ................................................................ 2

Armed Forces: Numerical Strength ...................... 2

Audit: Fines .......................................................... 2

Bahrain: Political Prisoners .................................. 2

Bahrain: Prisons ................................................... 3

Benin: Human Rights ........................................... 3

Buses: Exhaust Emissions .................................... 3

Channel Tunnel Railway Line .............................. 3

China: Human Rights ........................................... 4

Company Accounts: Standards ............................. 4

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients ........ 4

Diabetes: Medical Equipment .............................. 4

Director of Labour Market Enforcement .............. 4

Elias Faisal Al-Mulla ............................................ 5

Energy: Waste ...................................................... 5

Environment Protection: Taxation........................ 5

Eritrea: UN Human Rights Council...................... 5

Financial Services: Regulation ............................. 5

Forestry ................................................................. 5

Gambling .............................................................. 6

Gambling: Mental Illness ..................................... 6

Government Departments: Databases .................. 6

Greece: Immigration ............................................. 6

High Speed 2 Railway Line .................................. 7

India: Dalits .......................................................... 7

Iran: Guided Weapons .......................................... 7

Iran: USA ............................................................. 8

Israel: Bedouin ..................................................... 8

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft .................................. 8

Mental Health Services ......................................... 8

Mental Health Services: Children and Young

People .................................................................. 9

Music ................................................................... 9

National Cyber Security Centre ........................... 9

National Insurance ............................................... 9

National Insurance: Foreign Nationals .............. 10

Ports ................................................................... 10

Public Bodies: Intellectual Property .................. 10

Public Sector: Assets ......................................... 10

Railway Stations: Cambridge ............................ 10

Railways: Flood Control .................................... 10

Railways: Freight ............................................... 11

Religious Freedom ............................................. 11

Royal Navy Ships: Days Spent at Sea ............... 11

Small Businesses: Digital Technology .............. 12

Trans-European Networks ................................. 12

Type 31 Frigates ................................................ 12

UK Permanent Representation to the EU: Staff 12

Warships ............................................................ 12

Work Experience ............................................... 13

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