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Monday
2 March 2015
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICIAL REPORT
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................. 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 5
Vol. 760
No. 110
[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/
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/. Proposed corrections should be sent to [email protected] for
review.
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 Stowell of Beeston Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Lord Wallace of Tankerness Advocate-General for Scotland and Deputy Leader of the House
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local
Government
Baroness Anelay of St Johns Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Whip
Lord Astor of Hever Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence
Lord Bates Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Whip
Lord De Mauley Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs
Lord Deighton Commercial Secretary to the Treasury
Lord Faulks Minister of State, Ministry of Justice
Lord Freud Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Baroness Garden of Frognal Whip
Lord Gardiner of Kimble Whip
Earl Howe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
Baroness Jolly Whip
Baroness Kramer Minister of State, Department for Transport
Lord Livingston of Parkhead Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Lord Nash Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Baroness Neville-Rolfe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation
and Skills
Lord Newby Deputy Chief Whip
Baroness Northover Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International
Development
Lord Popat Whip
Baroness Randerson Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office
Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip
Baroness Verma Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Energy and Climate
Change
Lord Wallace of Saltaire Whip
Baroness Williams of Trafford Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2015
This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/
Written Statements 2 March 2015 Page 1
Written Statements Monday, 2 March 2015
Counter-terrorist Asset Freezing
[HLWS298]
Lord Deighton: Under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing
etc. Act 2010 (”TAFA 2010”), the Treasury is required to
report to Parliament, quarterly, on its operation of the
UK’s asset freezing regime mandated by UN Security
Council Resolution 1373.
This is the fifteenth report under the Act and it covers
the period from 1 September 2014 to 31 December 2014.
This report also covers the UK implementation of the UN
Al-Qaida asset freezing regime and the operation of the
EU asset freezing regime in the UK under EU Regulation
(EC) 2580/2001 which implements UNSCR 1373 against
external terrorist threats to the EU. Under the UN Al-
Qaida asset freezing regime, the UN has responsibility for
designations and the Treasury has responsibility for
licensing and compliance with the regime in the UK
under the Al-Qaida (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011.
Under EU Regulation 2580/2001, the EU has
responsibility for designations and the Treasury has
responsibility for licensing and compliance with the
regime in the UK under Part 1 of TAFA 2010.
Annexes A and B to this statement provide a
breakdown, by name, of all those designated by the UK
and the EU in pursuance of UN Security Council
Resolution 1373. The two individuals subject to restricted
designations under Section 3 of the Act are denoted by A
and B.
The following table sets out the key asset-freezing
activity in the UK during the quarter ending 31 December
2014:
TAFA
2010
EU Reg
(EC)
2580/2001
Al-Qaida
regime
UNSCR
1989
Assets frozen (as
at 31/12/2014)
£50,000 £11,000[1] £56,000[2]
Number of
accounts frozen in
UK (at
31/12/2014)
45 10 25
New accounts
frozen (during Q4
2014)
2 0 0
Accounts
unfrozen(during
Q4 2014)
6 0 0
Total number of
designations
32 35[3] 304
(at 31/12/2014)
(i) New
designations
(during Q4 2014)
1 0 18
(ii) Number of
designations that
were confidential
(During Q4 2014)
1 0 0
(iii) Delistings
(during Q4 2014)
2 0 2
(iv) Individuals in
custody in UK (at
31/12/2014)
4 0 0
(v) Individuals in
UK, not in
custody (at
31/12/2014)
2 0 3
(vi) Individuals
overseas
18 10 230
(at 31/12/2014)
(vii) Groups 8 (0 in
UK)
25 (1 in
UK)
70
Individuals by
Nationality
(i) UK
Nationals[4]
10 n/a n/a
(ii) Non UK
Nationals
10 n/a n/a
Renewal of
designation
11 n/a n/a
(during Q4 2014)
General Licences (i) 0
(i) Issued in Q4 (ii) 0
(ii) Amended (iii) 0
(iii) Revoked
Specific Licences:
(i) Issued in Q4 8 0 0
(ii) Amended 0 0 0
(iii) Expired 5 0 0
(iv) Refused 0 0 0
Page 2 2 March 2015 Written Statements
Legal Proceedings
1 The damages claim brought by Gulam MASTAFA
against a number of government departments including
the Treasury, remains stayed
2 The claim brought by Zana RAHIM continues to
progress towards completion
3 Proceedings were filed on 29 May 2014 at the High
Court appealing against the Treasury’s decision to renew
MF’s designation. The final hearing is now listed to begin
at the end of April 2015
4. An individual previously designated under TAFA
2010 has lodged an appeal against his designation.
Proceedings are currently stayed
5. There were no criminal proceedings in respect of
breaches of asset freezes made under TAFA 2010
Annex A: Designated persons under TAFA 2010 by
name[5]
INDIVIDUALS
1 Hamed ABDOLLAHI
2 Bilal Talal ABDULLAH
3 Imad Khalil AL-ALAMI
4 Abdelkarim Hussein AL-NASSER
5 Ibrahim Salih AL-YACOUB
6 Ruhul AMIN
7 Manssor ARBABSIAR
8 Usama HAMDAN
9 Nur Idiris HASSAN NUR
10 Nabeel HUSSAIN
11 Hasan IZZ-AL-DIN
12 Mohammed KHALED
13 Parviz KHAN
14 Reyaad KHAN
15 Musa Abu MARZOUK
16 Khalid MISHAAL
17 Khalid Shaikh MOHAMMED
18 Aseel MUTHANA
19 Nasser MUTHANA
20 Abdul Reza SHAHLAI
21 Ali Gholam SHAKURI
22 Qasem SOLEIMANI
23 A
24 B
ENTITIES
1 BASQUE FATHERLAND AND LIBERTY (ETA)
2 EJERCITO DE LIBERACION NACIONAL (ELN)
3 FUERZAS ARMADAS REVOLUCIONARIAS DE
COLOMBIA (FARC)
4 HIZBALLAH MILITARY WING, INCLUDING
EXTERNAL SECURITY ORGANISATION
5 HOLY LAND FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND
DEVELOPMENT
6 POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF
PALESTINE - GENERAL COMMAND (PFLP-GC)
7 POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF
PALESTINE (PFLP)
8 SENDERO LUMINOSO (SL)
Annex B: Persons designated by the EU under Council
Regulation (EC)2580/2001[6]
PERSONS
1 Hamed ABDOLLAHI*
2 Abdelkarim Hussein AL-NASSER*
3 Ibrahim Salih AL YACOUB*
4 Manssor ARBABSIAR*
5 Mohammed BOUYERI
6 Hasan IZZ-AL-DIN*
7 Khalid Shaikh MOHAMMED*
8 Abdul Reza SHAHLAI*
9 Ali Gholam SHAKURI*
10 Qasem SOLEIMANI*
GROUPS AND ENTITIES
1 ABU NIDAL ORGANISATION (ANO)
2 AL-AQSA E.V
3 AL-AQSA MARTYRS' BRIGADE
4 AL-TAKFIR AND AL-HIJRA
5 BABBAR KHALSA
6 COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES,
INCLUDING NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY (NPA),
PHILIPPINES
7 DEVRIMCI HALK KURTULU PARTISI-CEPHESI
— DHKP/C (REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLE’S
LIBERATION ARMY/FRONT/PARTY)
8 EJÉRCITO DE LIBERACIÓN NACIONAL
(NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY)*
9 FUERZAS ARMADAS REVOLUCIONARIAS DE
COLOMBIA (FARC)*
10 GAMA'A AL-ISLAMIYYA (A.K.A. AL-GAMA'A
AL-ISLAMIYYA) (ISLAMIC GROUP — IG)
11 HAMAS, INCLUDING HAMAS-IZZ AL-DIN AL-
QASSEM
12 HIZBALLAH MILITARY WING, INCLUDING
EXTERNAL SECURITY ORGANISATION
13 HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN (HM)
14 HOFSTADGROEP
15 HOLY LAND FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND
DEVELOPMENT*
16 INTERNATIONAL SIKH YOUTH FEDERATION
(ISYF)
17 İSLAMI BÜYÜK DOĞU AKINCILAR CEPHESI
(IBDA-C) (GREAT ISLAMIC EASTERN WARRIORS
FRONT)
Written Statements 2 March 2015 Page 3
18 KHALISTAN ZINDABAD FORCE (KZF)
19 KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY (PKK) (A.K.A.
KONGRA-GEL)
20 LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM
(LTTE)
21 PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD (PIJ)
22 POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF
PALESTINE — GENERAL COMMAND (PFLP-GC)*
23 POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF
PALESTINE (PFLP)*
24 SENDERO LUMINOSO (SL) (SHINING PATH)*
25 TEYRBAZEN AZADIYA KURDISTAN (TAK)
[1] This does not duplicate funds frozen under TAFA
[2] This figure reflects the most up-to-date account balances available and includes approximately $64,000 of funds frozen in the UK. This has
been converted using exchange rates as of 31/12/2014. Additionally the
figures reflect an updating of balances of accounts for certain individuals during the quarter, depleted through licensed activity
[3] This figure is based on ex-designations where the UK freeze
forms the prior competent authority decision for the EU freeze
[4] Based on information held by the Treasury, some of these
individuals hold dual nationality
[5] For full listing details please refer to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-list-of-designated-
persons-terrorism-and-terrorist-financing
[6] For full listing details please refer to www.gov.uk
* EU listing rests on UK designation under TAFA 2010
Starter Homes
[HLWS299]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My hon Friend the
Minister of State for Housing and Planning (Brandon
Lewis) has made the following Written Ministerial
Statement.
I would like to update hon. Members on the outcome of
the Government’s consultation, launched by the Prime
Minister in December, seeking views about our proposals
for planning reform to support the development of
100,000 new high quality, low cost Starter Homes for
young first time buyers.
We are determined to ensure young people are not
denied what their parents took for granted – the
opportunity to buy their own home, settle down and enjoy
the security that home ownership brings. Nearly 192,000
households have now been helped by the Government to
buy or reserve a home since 2010, through schemes like
Help to Buy and the reinvigorated Right to Buy. But we
know there are still far too many hardworking young
people from all walks of life struggling to gain a foot on
the property ladder, so we want to go further and give
them access to a new generation of high quality, low cost
Starter Homes.
Our Starter Home consultation proposed the
introduction of a new national exception site planning
policy to enable Starter Homes to be built on under-used
or unviable commercial or industrial sites not currently
identified for housing, on both public and private land; for
these Starter Homes to be only sold to young first time
buyers at a minimum 20% discount below their open
market value; that local planning authorities should not
seek section 106 affordable housing and tariff-style
contributions on Starter Homes; and they should be
exempt from the Community Infrastructure Levy to
enable developers to help deliver the discounted sale
price.
We received over 250 responses to the consultation.
There was strong endorsement from prospective first time
buyers for the Starter Homes policy. Many local
authorities, developers and lenders also endorsed more
support for first time buyers, and made helpful comments
about how this new planning policy could be
implemented. The Government has published its
consultation response today, and I will place a copy in the
Library of the House. It will also be available online at:
www.gov.uk.
After careful consideration of these responses, the
Government is today making the following change to
national planning policy:
Local planning authorities should work in a positive
and proactive way with landowners and developers to
secure a supply of sites suitable for housing for first time
buyers. In particular, they should look for opportunities to
create high quality, well designed Starter Homes through
exception sites on commercial and industrial land that is
either under-used or unviable in its current or former use,
and which has not currently been identified for housing.
Where applications for starter homes come forward on
such exception sites, they should be approved unless the
local planning authority can demonstrate that there are
overriding conflicts with the National Planning Policy
Framework that cannot be mitigated.
Planning obligations should be attached to permissions
for starter homes on Starter Homes exception sites,
requiring that the homes are offered for sale at a minimum
of 20% below open market price, to young first time
buyers who want to own and occupy a home. They should
also prevent the re-sale and letting of the properties at
open market value for a five year period.
In view of their contribution to meeting housing needs,
Starter Homes exception sites should not be required to
make section 106 affordable housing or tariff style
contributions.
Exception sites may include a small proportion of
market homes, at the planning authority’s discretion,
where this is essential to secure the required level of
discount for the starter homes on the site.
Starter Homes developments are expected to be well
designed and of a high quality, contributing to the
creation of sustainable places where people want to live,
work and put down roots to become part of the local
community. A new Design Advisory Panel set up by the
Government, involving leading industry experts, is
developing an initial set of exemplar designs for Starter
Homes which we expect to publish shortly for wider
comment. While recognising the need for local flexibility,
we would expect these designs over time to become the
Page 4 2 March 2015 Written Statements
default approach to design to be considered for Starter
Homes developments.
This new national planning policy should be taken into
account in plan-making and decision-taking, and should
be read alongside other policies in the National Planning
Policy Framework.
We will shortly publish revised planning guidance to
assist local planning authorities in implementing this
policy change. This guidance will support implementation
of the policy, including the definition of under-used or
unviable land and young first time buyers.
We will also work with developers, lenders, and local
authorities on the development of further supporting
technical material.
In addition to this policy change, the Government will
seek to amend the Community Infrastructure Levy
regulations in the next Parliament to exempt discounted
Starter Home developments from the levy. We will also
consider further how the development of more Starter
Homes can be encouraged through further planning
reforms, including the opportunity to use other forms of
land.
This Written Ministerial Statement sets out agreed
Coalition Government policy to deliver a national Starter
Homes scheme and planning policy; it is separate from
the announcement by the Prime Minister today setting out
further Conservative policy intentions on Starter Homes
for the next Parliament.
Written Answers 2 March 2015 Page 5
Written Answers Monday, 2 March 2015
Asylum: Finance
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in relation to the
Azure Card scheme, what assessment they have made
of the possibility of introducing a time limit for support
under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
1999. [HL5124]
Lord Bates: No such assessment has been made.
Aviation: Sierra Leone
Asked by Baroness Hayman
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan
urgently to consider the restoration of licences to fly
direct to Sierra Leone. [HL5111]
Baroness Kramer: In responding to the Ebola
outbreak, the Government’s first priority is the safety of
the British people. The decision not to permit direct
scheduled air services between Sierra Leone and the UK
is part of the Government’s overall strategy to mitigate
the risk of Ebola entering the UK and on this basis, the
Government’s strategy remains unchanged at this time.
Should the assessment change sufficiently, for the
Government to become content for direct scheduled
services to resume, it would then be for the airlines to
decide whether and when they wish to operate, subject to
them requesting the appropriate operating permission
from the relevant authorities.
Classics: Education
Asked by Lord Lexden
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they
are taking to ensure that changes to examination
qualifications now under discussion do not set back the
expansion of classics teaching in maintained schools.
[HL5165]
Lord Nash: Our reform programme for GCSE and A
levels is intended to ensure they are demanding and more
rigorous. We have taken account of a wide range of
concerns in ensuring that the final content for ancient
language GCSEs provides a suitable preparation for
further study. The published content for A and AS levels
has been designed to allow the development of new stand-
alone AS qualifications, including for ancient languages,
that can be co-taught with the A level. We are supporting
secondary schools by funding £500,000 of training for
non-specialist teachers of Latin in state schools, which
will to help them get to grips with the GCSE standard.
Cultural Heritage: Exports
Asked by Lord Sharkey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who had ultimate
responsibility for the granting of an export licence to
the 1942 Alan Turing notebook to be auctioned in New
York by Bonhams on 13 April; why that licence was
unconditional; and which experts were consulted in
making that determination. [HL5081]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Under UK export licensing
procedures, archives produced more than 50 years before
the date of export, require an export licence. An export
licence for Alan Turing’s notebook was issued by the
Export Licensing Unit of the Arts Council, on behalf of
the Secretary of State, on 29 July 2014, having first
obtained expert advice on its national importance. It is not
Departmental practice to release the names of expert
advisers.
Cycleways: Greater London
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 22 September
2014 (HL1828), why the completion of the east-west
cycle highway through St James's Park and around
Buckingham Palace has not yet occurred; and whether
they will ensure that a safe, direct and segregated cycle
route is provided on this route. [HL5052]
Baroness Kramer: The East West Cycle
Superhighway is a Transport for London (TfL) led
proposal and therefore decisions about it are a matter for
TfL and the Mayor of London. The Department for
Transport has however been following the progress of this
scheme closely.
Her Majesty’s Government understands that the public
consultation for The Royal Parks section of the East-West
Cycle Superhighway (Hyde Park, St James’s Park and
around Buckingham Palace) opened on 9 February 2015
and is scheduled to close on 29 March. This is the second
stage of public consultation, and also includes revised
plans for Lancaster Gate Gyratory and the junction of
Victoria Embankment/Northumberland Avenue. Works
on this section cannot be considered until this public
consultation is completed. Following consultation, TfL
intends to work closely with The Royal Parks to review
comments.
The Department welcomes initiatives which improve
cycling in London, and which support our cycling
delivery plan, published on 16 October 2014. The
Department provides an annual grant (£1.781bn in
2014/15) to support TfL’s activities and investments,
which include the Mayor’s Vision for Cycling.
Page 6 2 March 2015 Written Answers
Driving Offences: Speed Limits
Asked by Lord Teverson
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which police
forces are actively monitoring 20 mph speed limit
compliance; and how many prosecutions were brought
for speeding in 20 mph zones between 2010 and 2014.
[HL5193]
Lord Bates: The Home Office does not hold the
information requested. Enforcement of speed limits is an
operational matter for the police.
The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database
holds information on defendants proceeded against, found
guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and
Wales. However, unless stipulated in statute, the location
of an offence cannot be separately analysed. Hence it is
not possible to identify whether a defendant proceeded
against for a speeding offence has been caught exceeding
the speed limit in a 20mph zone. This information may be
held by the individual courts in England and Wales and as
such it can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Entry Clearances
Asked by Baroness Hamwee
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether
representatives from the entertainment industry have
been consulted on proposed changes to the rules and
guidance relating to visitor visas to the United
Kingdom. [HL5038]
Lord Bates: We consulted with a wide range of sectors
on our proposals to streamline the visitor routes and
produce new, clearer Immigration Rules and guidance for
visitors. These included business groups, tourism bodies
and representatives from the arts and creative sectors
which included organisations that work in the
entertainment industry.
The new Immigration Rules for visitors will be laid in
Parliament on 26 February and will come into force in
April. More details will be available then.
Homelessness
Asked by Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
families have been in temporary accommodation in the
United Kingdom in each year since 2010. [HL4081]
Asked by Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
families have been registered as homeless in the United
Kingdom since 2010. [HL4082]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The information
requested is enclosed in the attached table, which includes
data going back to 1998-99, which illustrates how the
level of homelessness in England is far lower than the
average under the last Administration.
This Government have invested over £500 million to
prevent and tackle all forms of homelessness and rough
sleeping since 2010. The homelessness legislation in
England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the
world for families with children and vulnerable people
who become homeless through no fault of their own.
Homelessness acceptances remain lower than in 27 of
the last 30 years, and homelessness is around half the
average level it was under the previous Administration.
Households now spend on average seven months less in
temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010.
Figures for other parts of the United Kingdom are the
responsibility of the devolved Administrations.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
England table [150302 661501-2 Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope -
table.doc]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2015-01-12/HL4081
Large Goods Vehicles: Licensing
Asked by Lord Bradshaw
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which government
department receives the fines generated from the
enforcement of O licences of goods vehicles. [HL4996]
Lord Deighton: The Driver and Vehicle Standards
Agency (DVSA) are the main body responsible for
enforcement of operator licences for goods vehicles,
although individual police forces also have the power to
enforce these provisions. DVSA enforcement action
consists of prosecution through the courts – in 2013-14
they reported 174 convictions resulting in courts ordering
£103,244 in fines. These fines are collected by the courts
and all revenue raised is passed on to the Consolidated
Fund, and used to fund general government expenditure.
Liverpool Airport
Asked by Lord Lucas
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will
place in the Library of the House a copy of the by-laws
currently in force that regulate the operation of
Liverpool Airport. [HL5109]
Baroness Kramer: A copy of the Byelaws for
Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which date from 1982,
have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Lobbying
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will
consider adding Governmental Non-Executive
Directors to the list of people with whom lobbyists have
contact for disclosure in the Statutory Register of
Lobbyists. [HL5080]
Written Answers 2 March 2015 Page 7
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The statutory register of
consultant lobbyists is designed to complement the
existing government transparency regime whereby
ministers and permanent secretaries publish details of
their meetings with external organisations. The
Government has no plans to increase the scope of the
register.
Mediterranean Sea
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their
response to the statement by the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees that a robust search and
rescue operation is necessary in order to save lives in
the central Mediterranean. [HL5156]
Lord Bates: The number of deaths in the
Mediterranean, and on the land routes from the Horn of
Africa to the Southern Mediterranean, are a tragic
reminder of the great risks migrants take when they
attempt the perilous journey to reach Europe.
The Government believes that the best approach lies in
the continuation of Frontex (EU external border agency)
Operation Triton alongside Italy’s ongoing coordination
of normal search and rescue activities. Frontex has been
clear that its maritime operations will assist with
individual search and rescue efforts in their operational
areas if called upon to do so by national search and rescue
coordinators.
At the same time, the UK is continuing work with other
EU countries to tackle the causes of illegal immigration
and the organised trafficking gangs behind it, as well as
increasing support and protection for those who need it in
North and East Africa. It is action of this kind which
offers the best hope of an effective response to the
numbers of attempted crossings and the tragic loss of
lives.
Northern Ireland Government
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19
February (HL4953) concerning a briefing on Northern
Ireland, why the list of peers supplied omits a number
of peers from Northern Ireland such as Lord Rana; how
often the list is updated; by whom; and how. [HL5152]
Baroness Randerson: The list of peers is updated by
the Northern Ireland Office in advance of each briefing,
based on the criteria set out in the written answers of 10
February (HL4725) and 19 February (HL4953).
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland would be
delighted to add Lord Rana to the list for future meetings.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19
February (HL4953) concerning a briefing on Northern
Ireland, whether such invitations will in future be sent
by email as well as in hard copy. [HL5153]
Baroness Randerson: Yes, where peers have published
or provided us with an address.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19
February (HL4953) concerning a briefing on Northern
Ireland, how they can verify that all peers invited
received the invitation. [HL5154]
Baroness Randerson: Given the briefing has now
taken place, it would not be an appropriate use of
resources to undertake such an exercise.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 19 January
(HL3949), in what way the involvement of the
government of the Republic of Ireland was consistent
with the three-stranded approach to Northern Irish
affairs. [HL5201]
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 19 January
(HL3949), whether representatives of the government
of the Republic of Ireland attended talks on more than
one strand; and, if so, on which strand, why, and at
whose invitation. [HL5202]
Baroness Randerson: I have nothing to add to my
previous replies of 19 January (HL3949), 27 January
(HL4283), 4 February (HL4532) and 12 February
(HL4726) to the Noble Lord.
Passports
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps HM
Passport Office intend to take to respond to a complaint
made in January 2013 on behalf of the Donor
Conception Network about misleading public
information on gov.uk and in printed leaflets about
obtaining passports for donor-conceived children.
[HL5145]
Lord Bates: Information was removed from gov.uk in
2013 at the request of the Donor Conception Network.
Revised draft guidance will be circulated to the Donor
Conception Network and others in April 2015 for
comment before being added to the website.
Police: Biometrics
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Bates on 9 February
(HL4664), what urgent action or advice they have given
Page 8 2 March 2015 Written Answers
to police forces about adding faces to the database.
[HL5118]
Lord Bates: As I said to my Noble Friend on 3
February, the use and retention of custody photographs
taken by the police is a complex issue and needs careful
consideration of the balance between public protection
and civil liberties. The Government is currently reviewing
the framework within which the police use these custody
images, and expects to be able to report in the Spring. We
have not provided any advice to forces in advance of that
review concluding.
Police: Stun Guns
Asked by Lord Condon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they
are taking to review the use of Tasers by police officers
and in particular their use against children and young
people. [I] [HL5230]
Lord Bates: The Home Secretary announced in
October 2014 an in-depth review of the publication of
Taser data and other use of force by police officers, to
ensure these powers are being used appropriately and in a
transparent way. The review will present options for
publishing data on how Taser is being used, who it is
being used on and what the outcomes are.
Railway Signals
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they
consider that Network Rail has access to sufficient
signalling engineers and technicians to undertake
design, procurement, installation, testing and
commissioning of new signalling schemes including
those in Control Period 5 to time and budget. [HL5210]
Baroness Kramer: Managing suppliers and resources
to deliver their funding commitments is a matter for
Network Rail. We are holding it firmly to the Control
Period 5 commitments and will closely monitor its
performance.
Regional Airports: Fees and Charges
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Civil
Aviation Authority regulations require small airports
owned by local authorities, such as St Mary’s in Scilly,
to consult stakeholders and users on proposed increases
in airport charges. [HL5053]
Baroness Kramer: The Civil Aviation Authority
regulates airport charges through the Airport Charges
Regulations 2011. These regulations apply to airports
with more than 5 million passengers in the year two years
prior to the current year. They require such airports to
consult airlines about airport charges annually and to give
at least 4 months’ notice of proposed changes to airport
charges (unless there are exceptional circumstances).
All airports that have less than 5 million passengers in
the year two years prior to the current year, including St.
Mary’s airport in Scilly, are not bound by these
regulations.
Schools: Governing Bodies
Asked by Lord Storey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they
have to draw up a central record containing a list of
governors of all state-funded schools. [HL5078]
Lord Nash: We have plans to provide for full
transparency of governor appointments to state funded
schools in a number of ways, as follows.
The Governors’ Handbook already advises schools to
publish the names of their governors on their websites.
We consulted recently on amending the statutory
guidance to maintained schools to make this a statutory
requirement. The consultation closed on 19 February and
responses are currently being considered. The
consultation also sought views on a proposal to require
maintained schools to publish the register of governors’
relevant business interests; this should also include details
of any other governing body that an individual serves on.
We made clear in the Schools Causing Concern guidance
published on 20 January 2015 that local authorities should
have arrangements in place for maintaining records of
governors in maintained schools. This means that all local
authorities should have full transparency of the governors
in the schools they maintain.
Academies are already required to publish information
about governors. The Academies Financial Handbook
requires academies to publish details of their trustees,
including their register of interests. Trusts are also
required to notify the Secretary of State when there are
changes to key post holders, including the Chair of
Trustees. The Education Funding Agency is investigating
the feasibility of holding information on members and
trustees in a single database.
Science: Education
Asked by Lord Storey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment
they have made of the number of schools offering triple
science GCSEs; what steps they will take to support
more state schools in all areas to offer triple science
GCSEs to their pupils; and what steps they will take to
encourage the recruitment of science teachers.
[HL5077]
Lord Nash: Out of 3,910[1] mainstream[2] secondary
schools in England with at least one pupil at the end of
key stage four, 2,736 schools entered at least one pupil for
triple science GCSEs[3] in 2013/14. This figure does not
include schools which offered triple science GCSEs, but
did not enter any pupils for these qualifications in
Written Answers 2 March 2015 Page 9
2013/14. It also excludes those schools with no pupils
entered for triple science GCSEs but where pupils have
been entered for all three of GCSE science, GCSE further
science and GCSE further additional science, which
together cover the same content as GCSE triple science.
The Government is providing £2.6 million in funding
for the Triple Science Support Programme over the period
2014-16. This will give state funded schools with low
take up of triple science practical support and guidance on
providing triple science at GCSE. The support comprises
professional development for teachers, setting up
networks of schools to share good practice and advice on
how to overcome barriers to offering triple science such
as timetabling and lack of specialist teachers.
We are continuing to attract top graduates into science
teaching. For 2015/16, we are continuing to fund
scholarship schemes worth £25,000 tax free in chemistry
and physics. We have also announced increases in
bursaries also worth up to £25,000 tax free for both these
subjects and up to £15,000 tax free for biology. The new
package of measures announced by the Prime Minister on
8 December 2014 to train more science and maths
teachers will build on this. This £67 million package will
benefit up to 17,600 teachers over the course of the next
parliament.
[1] As published in the Department for Education’s 2013/14 performance tables.
[2] Does not include special schools.
[3] This includes full course GCSEs, Level 1/Level 2 certificates, Cambridge International Certificates and Edexcel certificates in physics,
chemistry and biology.
Separation
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they
have to review their policies and resources which
support relationships, in the light of recent research by
Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Salvation Army which
suggests that relationship breakdown is the most
common cause of homelessness. [HL5087]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: This Government has
increased spending to prevent homelessness, making over
£500 million available to help the most vulnerable in
society and have kept strong protections to guard families
against the threat of homelessness. As part of this funding
we have maintained investment in local authority
homelessness prevention services, providing £320 million
since 2010/11 which has helped local authorities to
prevent over 730,000 cases of homelessness. Almost
38,000 of these were helped to stay in their home through
mediation and conciliation schemes.
Somerset Rivers Authority
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to
ensure that the legislative process of making the
Somerset Rivers Authority a precepting body
progresses in order for it to be established by April
2016. [HL5083]
Lord De Mauley: The Somerset Rivers Authority,
Defra and the Department for Communities and Local
Government are currently undertaking a review to
identify a long-term, local funding solution for the
Somerset Rivers Authority from 2016/17.
The review will look into all possible funding options
and how they could be implemented.
Terrorism: Northern Ireland
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19
February (HL4756) concerning the "on the run" system,
whether the scheme was offered to organisations and
individuals other than Sinn Fein and Sinn Fein
members; and, if not, whether they consider the system
to be compliant with their equality obligations.
[HL5150]
Baroness Randerson: I have nothing to add to the
previous reply of 19 February (HL4756) to the Noble
Lord.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19
February (HL4756) concerning the "on the run" system,
what was the purpose of that policy; and why the
answer did not cover their policy at the time the scheme
was introduced. [HL5151]
Baroness Randerson: As noted in Paragraph 4.5 of the
Hallett report, “by late 1999 an undetermined number of
people remained outside the UK jurisdiction following the
Troubles, but wished to return to Northern Ireland or
Great Britain without the risk of arrest and prosecution.
At the request of 10 Downing Street, the Attorney
General agreed to undertake a review of such cases,
independently applying the normal evidential and public
interest tests.”
The Hallett report makes clear that from the beginning,
the aim of the scheme was to communicate statements of
the facts, as they were believed to be at the time, as to
whether or not an individual was wanted for questioning
by the police.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19
February (HL4756), why the question was not
answered in full. [HL5155]
Baroness Randerson: I have nothing to add to the
previous replies of 19 February (HL4756) and 24
February (HL4928) to the Noble Lord.
Page 10 2 March 2015 Written Answers
Transport: Security
Asked by Lord Bradshaw
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 27 January
(HL4314), what they have done to integrate security
arrangements with the creation of more passenger-
friendly environments at major transport interchanges.
[HL5172]
Baroness Kramer: The creation of more passenger-
friendly environments at major transport interchanges can
improve passengers’ sense of security through for
example better lighting, more information and retail
outlets. It is important that all those responsible for the
security arrangements at the interchange work together
closely to ensure that these are as seamless and integrated
as possible. At many major locations there are regular
meetings where the British Transport Police (BTP) works
in close partnership with local authorities, transport
organisations and retailers to share intelligence and plan
patrol strategies. The BTP also uses an evidence-based
patrol strategy to help identify hot-spot crime locations
within the interchange environment and has invested in
training its front line staff so that they have the skills to
challenge long-term structural or environmental issues
which can allow crime to develop within a specific area.
Type 45 Destroyers
Asked by Lord Davies of Stamford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their
assessment of the power and propulsion systems of the
Type 45 destroyer; what actions they plan to take and to
what timescale in order to remedy any problems that
may have been identified; what is the estimated cost of
any necessary remedial work; and what share of this
cost will be borne by public funds. [HL5030]
Lord Astor of Hever: As a new class of warship the
Type 45 has experienced some equipment reliability
issues. Most of these have been resolved. Work is
continuing to resolve the remaining issues. This is being
funded from within existing Ministry of Defence (MOD)
support budgets.
In addition, options to undertake a Diesel Generator
upgrade are being considered. This would add greater
resilience to the Power and Propulsion system by
increasing electrical generation capacity. The feasibility
phase for this work, which is being co-funded by BAE
Systems and the MOD, will conclude at the end of March
2015. A decision on whether to proceed with the upgrade
programme will then be considered against wider Defence
priorities and would be funded by the MOD.
I am withholding information about the potential costs
for the Diesel Generator upgrade as releasing such
information at this stage would prejudice the commercial
interests of the MOD.
We have six in service, and the Type 45 class has
demonstrated its capability, supporting operations in the
Gulf and the South Atlantic.
Youth Engagement Fund
Asked by Baroness Whitaker
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 14
August 2014 (HL1625), how many young people from
the Gypsy and Traveller communities have benefited
from the Youth Engagement Fund. [HL5042]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Youth Engagement
Fund aims to support the most disadvantaged young
people in society who are at risk of becoming long term
NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). The
Fund is being awarded through a competitive bidding
process over two stages and we expect to announce the
winning bidders in the coming weeks. Programmes will
start delivering support to disadvantaged young people
soon afterwards.
Index to Statements and Answers
Written Statements ................................................. 1
Counter-terrorist Asset Freezing .......................... 1
Starter Homes ....................................................... 3
Written Answers ..................................................... 5
Asylum: Finance ................................................... 5
Aviation: Sierra Leone ......................................... 5
Classics: Education ............................................... 5
Cultural Heritage: Exports .................................... 5
Cycleways: Greater London ................................. 5
Driving Offences: Speed Limits ........................... 6
Entry Clearances ................................................... 6
Homelessness ....................................................... 6
Large Goods Vehicles: Licensing......................... 6
Liverpool Airport.................................................. 6
Lobbying .............................................................. 6
Mediterranean Sea ................................................ 7
Northern Ireland Government .............................. 7
Passports ............................................................... 7
Police: Biometrics ................................................ 7
Police: Stun Guns ................................................. 8
Railway Signals .................................................... 8
Regional Airports: Fees and Charges ................... 8
Schools: Governing Bodies .................................. 8
Science: Education ............................................... 8
Separation ............................................................. 9
Somerset Rivers Authority ................................... 9
Terrorism: Northern Ireland ................................. 9
Transport: Security ............................................. 10
Type 45 Destroyers............................................. 10
Youth Engagement Fund .................................... 10