MondayVol. 786 27 November 2017No. 28qnadailyreport.blob.core.windows.net/qnadailyreportxml/... ·...

Monday

27 November 2017

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 ..................................................... 4

Vol. 786

No. 28

[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/.

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 and Treasury Spokesman

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for 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

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip

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

Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health, Whip

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 Women and Equalities Spokesperson

Lord Young of Cookham Whip

Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip and Wales and Scotland Office Spokesperson

© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2017

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

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

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http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Written Statements 27 November 2017 Page 1

Written Statements Monday, 27 November 2017

Benefits and Pensions Up-rating 2018/19

[HLWS267]

Baroness Buscombe: My honourable Friend the

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Family

Support, Housing & Child Maintenance (Caroline

Dinenage MP) has made the following Written Statement.

I am pleased to announce the proposed social security

benefit and pension rates for 2018/19. I have attached the

table of rates to this statement and I will place a copy of

the proposed benefit and pension rates 2018/19 in the

House Library. The annual up-rating of benefits will take

place for state pensions and most other benefits in the first

full week of the tax year. In 2018, this will be the week

beginning 9 April. A corresponding provision will be

made in Northern Ireland.

The annual up-rating process takes into account a

variety of measures:

• The basic and new State Pension will be increased by

the Government’s ‘triple lock’ commitment, meaning

that they will be up-rated in line with the highest of

prices, earnings or 2.5% - in this case CPI at 3%.

• The legislative requirement for the Pension Credit

Standard Minimum Guarantee is that it is increased at

least in line with earnings. However to protect the

poorest pensioners, the Pension Credit Standard

Minimum Guarantee will be up-rated by the same cash

amount as the rise in the full rate of the basic State

Pension.

• Benefits linked to the additional costs of disability,

and for carers, are increased by the annual rise in prices,

as reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A

number of other elements – including Non-Dependant

Deductions (NDDs) – will also be up-rated in line with

prices.

• The majority of working-age benefits have been

frozen at their 2015/16 levels for four years under the

Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

The list of proposed benefit and pension rates also

includes a change to the Carer’s Allowance Earnings

Rule, which will be increased for 2018/19 from £116 to

£120 a week.

The Statement includes the following attached material:

Benefit and pension rates 2018-19 [Benefit and pension rates

2018-19.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2017-11-27/HLWS267/

Correction

[HLWS270]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: My right honourable friend

the Minister of State for School Standards (Nick Gibb)

has made the following written ministerial statement.

Information supplied by the Data Modernisation

Division of the Department for Education has been

identified as containing incorrect facts in the response

provided to three Parliamentary Questions from the

Honourable Member for Brighton Pavilion concerning the

volume of children’s records passed onto the police and

the Home Office (PQ48634, PQ48635 and PQ52645) and

in figures quoted during a House of Lords Debate on the

31 of October 2016 on the Education (Pupil Information)

(England) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations

2016.

Following the identification of this issue, the accuracy

of all previously supplied figures relating to these uses of

National Pupil Database have also been checked.

Rigorous new processes have now been put in place to

ensure the robustness of all current and future figures.

In response to PQ48634 and PQ48635, the correct

figures are that 33 access requests of the NPD data were

made by the Police during the period in question and 16

of these resulted in data being shared. Information about

62 pupils was shared.

In response to PQ48634 and PQ48635, the correct

figures are that during the period in question, requests

relating to a total of 2,461 individuals had been made by

the Home Office to DfE and 531 records had been

identified within DfE data and returned.

In response to PQ 52645 the correct figures are that 531

records sent to the Home Office were related to pupils and

1,930 of 2,461 requests were not returned due to DfE not

being able to find a match within the NPD for those

records.

Drones Update

[HLWS268]

Baroness Sugg: Today I am setting out new measures

the Government is taking to ensure the UK remains at the

forefront of the exciting and fast-growing drones market,

while putting the correct legislative framework in place to

guarantee it is also safe and secure.

As the Government’s Industrial Strategy sets out, we

have the potential to cement our status as the leading

location where technology companies want to build their

businesses, where scientists and engineers drive

innovation and where investors want to invest. Drones are

an important part of this emerging industry.

Our police, fire and search and rescue services all now

regularly use drones in emergency situations to help save

lives. Drones are also being used to inspect and maintain

key national transport infrastructure – reducing the risk of

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Page 2 27 November 2017 Written Statements

accidents and driving industry productivity and

efficiency.

UK drone companies are exporting their services across

the world, showcasing Britain as a leader in innovative

services and generating productivity and growth across a

range of sectors.

The potential for expansion is significant, but this is an

advancing and developing industry which faces a number

of challenges. If we are to realise the full potential of this

new technology, we must also maintain our world class

aviation safety record and address certain safety and

privacy concerns.

In response to our consultation on drones, we

committed to a review of the current powers available to

law enforcement agencies. My department has been

working with the police, the Home Office and the

Ministry of Justice. This review has highlighted some

gaps, reflective of how aviation technology is being used

in such a broad and varied way across many industries

and by the public.

This can pose extra challenges for the police when

investigating and prosecuting crimes, and when carrying

out their duties to protect safety and security more

generally.

As such, we will look to include in our draft bill new

police powers where drone users would need to produce

registration documents on request, ground a drone safely

in certain circumstances and the ability to seize and retain

a drone’s components if there is reasonable suspicion of it

having been involved in an offence.

The consultation response also set out our intention to

explore the concept of mandating the use of safety and

airspace awareness apps. The draft bill will build the

regulatory framework to ensure these apps meet required

standards and issue correct information.

These kinds of apps give drone users easy access to the

data they need to determine if a flight can be safely and

legally made. Apps can also make it possible for drone

users to make their flights visible to other airspace users,

making drone use more accountable and transparent.

As well as safety issues, apps can help avoid

compromising the security of surrounding organisations

or industries such as national infrastructure, government

and military sites. The app’s information can also advise

on any particularly sensitive local sites, such as schools

and residential areas, to respect the privacy of others.

Alongside the publication of the draft bill next Spring,

we will create the powers necessary for registration and

leisure pilot testing through amendments to the Air

Navigation Order (ANO), and we are developing the

technical systems and educational materials that will be

needed to implement these.

The Government is also reviewing the potential

restriction of all drones flying above 400ft, as well as the

use of drones within the proximity of an airport. Subject

to the outcome of this review, we will also look to include

these measures in the ANO amendment in Spring 2018.

Finally, I want to update Parliament on progress with

Project Chatham. This is the data project we announced in

our consultation response to improve geo-fencing – when

drones can be restricted from entering into ‘no-fly zones’

using the drone’s inbuilt GPS to find its location and

prevent it from continuing if it approaches a restricted

zone.

A group comprising departmental experts, the Civil

Aviation Authority, and NATS (the national air traffic

service provider), has been set up and is progressing well.

To implement geo-fencing effectively this group is

looking at how we release information on the UK’s

airspace restrictions in a format that manufacturers and

tech developers can easily use.

We are working to have a sample set of data ready for

wider engagement with stakeholders by Spring 2018.

When fully developed, the data will help drone users fly

safely in accordance with the rules.

Our approach will keep Britain at the forefront of the

global market, whilst delivering a flexible framework for

a safe, secure and successful drones industry.

Lottery Fund and National Heritage

Memorial Fund

[HLWS269]

Lord Ashton of Hyde: My hon. Friend the Minister for

Arts, Heritage and Tourism, has today made the following

statement in the House of Commons.

I am today publishing the tailored review of the

Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial

Fund, which launched on 23 February 2017.

The review sought to provide assurance of the

continuing need for the National Heritage Memorial Fund

(NHMF), including its activities operating as the Heritage

Lottery Fund (HLF), and to identify opportunities to

strengthen its effectiveness, efficiency and governance.

The review concluded that the organisation’s functions of

distributing National Lottery funding and providing a

fund of last resort for heritage at risk of loss to the nation

remained vital, and should continue to be delivered in the

current model of a Non-Departmental Public Body.

The review found that HLF’s role in distributing

funding for heritage was seen as crucial to the

conservation of heritage assets, to engaging communities

across the UK with their heritage, and to providing

support for heritage organisations to survive and thrive.

Whilst HLF has a good reputation in the sector, the

review found scope for it to become a more strategic

organisation by clarifying its priorities; strengthening its

partnerships with other heritage organisations and

National Lottery distributors; using its data more

effectively; and focusing on supporting the sustainability

of the heritage sector and heritage assets, including by

supporting skills capability in key areas such as digital

engagement.

The review also recommended that HLF focus its

efforts to promote inclusion and diversity by developing a


Written Statements 27 November 2017 Page 3

strategy for engaging underrepresented groups and by

streamlining its grant application processes. Whilst HLF

is a relatively lean organisation, the review supported its

efforts to become more efficient, including by reducing its

estate, developing an internal digital strategy, and

ensuring its consultant network - the Register of Support

Services - is cost-effective. Additionally, there are

recommendations for the governments of the UK to

clarify priorities for the heritage sector, to update the

Policy Directions given to HLF, and to work with HLF to

promote the intrinsic, economic and social value of

heritage.

The review was carried out by DCMS with input from

the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and

Northern Ireland Executive given the UK-wide nature of

NHMF/HLF. The review was carried out with the full

participation of NHMF/HLF, and an independent

Challenge Panel was appointed to assure its robustness

and impartiality. The review gathered evidence from a

range of stakeholders from across government, from the

cultural and natural heritage sectors and others with an

interest in heritage, and through a public consultation. I

would like to thank all those who contributed evidence to

the review.

The report is available at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/tailored-review-of-

the-heritage-lottery-fund-and-national-heritage-memorial-

fund

Trade Matters

[HLWS271]

Baroness Fairhead: My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of

State for International Trade (Dr Liam Fox) has today

made the following statement.

The Secretary of State has announced the Government’s

decision to appoint nine Her Britannic Majesty's Trade

Commissioners (HMTCs) to head the overseas operations

for the Department of International Trade (DIT). These

HM Trade Commissioners will lead export promotion,

investment (inward and overseas direct investment) and

trade policy overseas.

These are Senior Civil Service appointments and a fair

and open recruitment competition will begin shortly, in

line with Civil Service Commission principles.

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Page 4 27 November 2017 Written Answers

Written Answers Monday, 27 November 2017

Agency Nurses

Asked by Lord Clark of Windermere

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the names

and locations of the agencies registered to supply nurses

to NHS trusts in England. [HL3070]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: Agency rules require that

agencies are on NHS Improvement-approved frameworks

and these frameworks monitor and approve agencies for

supply to trusts. The approved framework operators are

Crown Commercial Service, NHS Collaborative

Procurement Partnership and Health Trust Europe.

In addition to agencies on approved frameworks, trusts

in exceptional patient safety situations can utilise the

‘break glass clause’ and work with an off-framework

agency. Using an off-framework agency should be a

culmination of a robust escalation process sanctioned by

the trust board. Trust boards have primary responsibility

for monitoring the local impact of the agency rules and

ensuring patient safety.

Ambulance Services: South East

Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon

To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many

occasions no ambulance or paramedic attended an

incident reported by a 999 call in each month of the last

year in (1) Sussex, and (2) London. [HL3146]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: This information is not

collected centrally.

Not all 999 calls require a face-to-face response to be

dispatched. Such calls may include incidents where the

ambulance service receives multiple calls about the same

incident, abandoned calls, calls resolved by providing

telephone advice, calls to check on estimated time of

arrival of an ambulance, calls to say an ambulance is no

longer required, calls to update the service on the patient’s

condition, hoax calls, and calls from frequent callers

where no clinical assessment is required.

Anguilla: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Asked by Lord Howell of Guildford

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are

taking to increase the eligibility of Anguilla to receive

aid and assistance following recent hurricane damage.

[HL3097]

Lord Bates: The UK has argued for flexibility in the

Official Development Assistance (ODA) rules for how

donors respond to catastrophic humanitarian crises, such

as the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean, and recognition

of the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States.

As a result, in October 2017 the OECD Development

Assistance Committee (DAC) agreed on the need to

create a new mechanism to re-admit countries that had

graduated from ODA eligibility back to the list of ODA-

eligible countries if their Gross National Income per

capita falls below the High Income Country threshold. In

addition, members of the DAC have agreed to establish a

process which could allow previous ODA recipients to

receive short-term ODA support in the event of

catastrophic humanitarian crises. Anguilla was an ODA

recipient until 2014 and is assessed by the World Bank to

be a High Income Country.

The destructive force of hurricane Irma was

unprecedented, leaving Anguilla damaged extensively. As

part of our response the UK has delivered more than 220

tonnes of aid to the island. To support the reconstruction

effort the UK has launched a Private Sector Task Force,

headed by William Bullard, to identify private sector

support and investment, and provide a public-private

forum for engagement on building back better in Anguilla

as well as other Caribbean Overseas Territories.

Armed Forces: Malaria

Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

To ask Her Majesty's Government in what

circumstances it is considered suitable to prescribe the

antimalarial drug mefloquine to members of the Armed

Forces. [HL3102]


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have

developed guidelines about the use of Lariam and other

antimalarial drugs, specific to their use by military

personnel. [HL3215]


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Lariam is

restricted in its use by military personnel only to those

who are unable to tolerate available alternatives.

[HL3216]

Earl Howe: In June 2017, the Government updated its

policy on Preventing Malaria in UK Armed Forces

Personnel (Joint Service Publication 950, Part 1, Leaflet

3-3-1). The leaflet includes guidance on antimalarial drug

use, requiring that drugs only be supplied after a face-to-

face malaria health risk assessment, following the

Defence Medical Information Capability Programme

antimalarial protocol.

The recommended drug regime is determined by the

sensitivity of malaria parasites to antimalarial drugs in

different parts of the world, based on Public Health

England guidance. For areas without drug resistance the

recommendation is that individuals are offered

chloroquine on its own. If chloroquine is not suitable then

proguanil is the preferred alternative. For areas of little

chloroquine resistance, it is recommended that individuals

are offered both chloroquine and proguanil. If chloroquine

and proguanil are not suitable and the patient can tolerate

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Written Answers 27 November 2017 Page 5

proguanil then the patient should normally be offered

atovaquone and proguanil.

For areas where malarial parasites are known to be

resistant to chloroquine it is recommended that

individuals are offered atovaquone and proguanil. If

atovaquone and proguanil is not suitable they are to be

reviewed in order to determine which alternative drug is

most appropriate. The second choice drug will normally

be doxycycline but may be modified in accordance with

the disease profile of the country to be visited. If

doxycycline is unsuitable then mefloquine may be

prescribed but only after the individual has been reviewed

by a doctor.

Arrests

Asked by Lord Wigley

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many arrests

by the police in England and Wales there were in (1)

2007–08, and (2) 2016–17. [HL3297]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office

collects and publishes data on the number of arrests for

notifiable offences in England and Wales annually, as part

of the ‘Police powers and procedures, England and

Wales’ statistical bulletin. These figures cover the

financial year (ending 31 March).

The latest instalment, which was released on 26

October 2017, can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-

powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales -

The data show that in the year ending 31 March 2008

the police made 1,475,266 arrests in England and Wales.

In the year ending 31 March 2017 the police made

779,660 arrests in England and Wales. (see page 10 of the

'Police powers and procedures, England and Wales’

statistical bulletin. in the section "Trends in the number of

arrests" (see attached)

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Page 10 - Trends in the Number of Arrests. [Pg 10 - Trends in the

Number of Arrests -.pdf]

Police and Powers and Procedures Eng/Wales Stats [police-

powers-procedures-mar17-hosb2017.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

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

answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-15/HL3297

Asylum: Finance

Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the

Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on

24 October (HL1909), when they expect to publish the

outcome of the review of asylum support; and whether

they are consulting external stakeholders as part of that

review. [HL3451]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We review the level

of the cash allowances provided to destitute asylum

seekers each year. Organisations with an interest in the

issue are aware that we are currently undertaking another

review and were invited to make representations in the

normal way.

We published the outcome of the last review earlier in

the year and subject to the views of Ministers expect to do

the same. The report can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-

review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers

We expect to complete the current review in the coming

weeks.


Report on review of cash allowance paid to asylum [Report-on-

review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers-2016.pdf]




Brexit

Asked by Lord Elystan-Morgan

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they

intend to establish a convention of Members of the

Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Members to

consider and discuss the particular anticipated effects of

Brexit upon the devolved administrations. [HL3318]

Lord Callanan: The Government is committed to

engagement with the devolved legislatures as we prepare

to leave the EU. Ministers have appeared before several

committees in the Scottish Parliament and National

Assembly for Wales to give evidence on the European

Union (Withdrawal) Bill and the implications of exit for

the devolved institutions. Parliamentary Under Secretary

Robin Walker also attended the first meeting of the

Interparliamentary Forum on Brexit last month.

Burma: Human Rights

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following

the expulsion of Rohingyas from Myanmar and the

recent UN Resolution, they intend to press for (1) a

worldwide arms embargo against Myanmar, (2) a

sanctions target on Burmese generals and senior

officials, and (3) a UN General Assembly Resolution

against all current and future ethnic and religious

clearances or expulsions. [HL3105]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are committed to

working with the Government of Burma and international

partners to resolve the situation in Rakhine state. The

overwhelming support for the Burma Resolution in the

UN Third Committee on 16 November – which the UK

co-sponsored - demonstrates the strength of feeling across

the international community. We will continue to call on

the Burmese government to send a clear message that the


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security forces must stop the violence; to ensure a full

investigation of allegations of human rights violations; to

allow full access to the UN Fact Finding Mission and to

commit to ensuring accountability for the perpetrators

We believe the adoption by the UN Security Council of

the Presidential Statement on 6 November is a significant

step. While encouraged by recent statements by Aung San

Suu Kyi, we expect action to be taken on the Council's

statement. International pressure will continue until those

forced to flee can return in safety, free from fear of

persecution and attack.

Burma: Rohingya

Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their

understanding and interpretation of the difference

between genocide and ethnic cleansing, in the light of

evidence of actions by the government of Burma and

others in Rakhine state against the Rohingya people,

particularly since August. [HL3114]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: It would only be for a

court to decide whether genocide has occurred in Rakhine

State. The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark

Field MP, wrote in an article for Sky News on 14

November that "what is happening there looks like ethnic

cleansing." This is why the UK continues to call for an

end to all violence and for an early return of Rohingya

refugees consistent with the UN principles of voluntary,

safe and dignified return.

Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has

been made in deploying the FCO specialist team to

gather and investigate evidence of sexual violence

against Rohingya people in Burma, in line with their

policy on combatting sexual violence in conflict zones

which was introduced in 2012. [HL3115]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The FCO sent two

Deployable Civilian Experts to Bangladesh on 14

November, with support from the cross-Whitehall

Stabilisation Unit. They will carry out an assessment of

the extent of reported sexual violence, the current

response to the needs of victims of gender based violence

(GBV) in Bangladesh, and identify gaps in service

provision and provide recommendations for the UK. They

will also conduct a thorough review of the investigation

and documentation of sexual violence, through use of the

International Protocol on the Documentation and

Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict and make

rapid recommendations on possible UK support in this

area. UK funding is supporting GBV response activities

being delivered by international organisations including

UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF and the NGO, Action Against

Hunger, who are providing medical services, counselling

and psychological support. The UK is also supporting

UNICEF protection initiatives including 30 child-friendly

spaces and referral pathways for GBV survivors. The UK

is funding the deployment of a UNFPA expert to

coordinate the interagency GBV response in Cox's Bazar

and seeking ways to scale-up the GBV response, working

in coordination with aid agencies and other partners.

Burma: Sexual Offences

Asked by Baroness Helic

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they

are taking in response to the UN Security Council’s

Presidential Statement SC/13055 of 6 November on

Myanmar that the UN's humanitarian partners should

(1) “ensure the availability of specialised medical and

psychological services for survivors of sexual

violence”, and (2) facilitate the “holding to account of

all those responsible for those acts”; and whether they

intend to deploy the UK team of experts to help prevent

and respond to crimes of sexual violence to Myanmar.

[HL3091]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government

has consistently expressed its deep concern over Gender

Based Violence taking place in Rakhine. We believe it is

likely underreported due to stigma, fear and limited

availability and lack of awareness of services.

We have been clear about the need for the Burmese

authorities to end all violence, including GBV, in

Rakhine. The Foreign Secretary has raised this issue

directly with Aung Sang Suu Kyi. The Ambassador and

Embassy officials in Rangoon have regularly raised

concerns with Burmese Ministers. The UK funds a

number of projects that support the Women, Peace and

Security agenda in Burma, which include our work to

combat sexual violence in conflict. The Embassy in

Rangoon funds a number of programmes in support of the

Preventing Sexual Violence initiative. In addition, a large

part of the £102 million Department for International

Development programme in Burma supports the Women,

Peace and Security agenda

The UK Government is supportive of existing

mechanisms and processes to hold those responsible for

serious crimes to account. This falls in line with our

commitment to the principle that there must be no

impunity for the most serious international crimes. We

have translated the International Protocol on the

Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in

Conflict into Burmese and promoted its use locally. The

Protocol's purpose is to strengthen the evidence base for

bringing perpetrators to justice. In this manner, it

overcomes one of the key barriers to tackling impunity for

sexual violence in conflict. In addition, the UK supports

the Fact-Finding Mission, set up by the Human Rights

Council on 24 March 2017. Its mandate is to establish the

facts and circumstances of the alleged recent human rights

violations by military and security forces, and abuses, in

Myanmar, in particular in Rakhine State. In March 2018

the Mission will provide a full report at the 37th HRC

session.

In Bangladesh, priorities are to improve GBV outreach

and identification, referral pathways, and case

management and support. UK funding is supporting GBV






response activities being delivered by international

organisations including UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF and the

NGO, Action Against Hunger, who are providing medical

services, counselling and psychological support. The UK

is also supporting UNICEF protection initiatives

including 30 child-friendly spaces and referral pathways

for GBV survivors. The UK is funding the deployment of

a UNFPA expert to coordinate the interagency GBV

response in Cox's Bazar and seeking ways to scale-up the

GBV response, working in coordination with aid agencies

and other partners.

The FCO sent two Deployable Civilian Experts to

Bangladesh on 14 November, with support from the

cross-Whitehall Stabilisation Unit. They will carry out an

assessment of the extent of reported sexual violence, the

current response to the needs of victims of gender based

violence in Bangladesh, and identify gaps in service

provision and provide recommendations for the UK. They

will also conduct a thorough review of the investigation

and documentation of sexual violence, through use of the

International Protocol on the Documentation and

Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict and make

recommendations on possible UK support in this area.

Child Tax Credit

Asked by The Earl of Listowel

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether an

individual who has non-parental caring arrangements

for two or more children of a family member will be

denied tax credits at the birth of their next child.

[HL3308]

Lord Bates: The government’s policy is to provide

support to a maximum of two children in tax credits to

ensure that those who receive income related benefits face

the same financial choices as those supporting themselves

solely through work. The government acknowledges the

immense value of care given by non-parental carers. The

government has therefore included an exception to this

policy for third and subsequent children taken on through

kinship care arrangements, recognising that people taking

on additional children in this way are not able to make the

same choices about the number of children in their family.

Children: Day Care

Asked by Lord Beecham


estimate of the number of foster children in England

who are excluded from the entitlement to 15 additional

hours of free childcare per week. [HL3061]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: As of March 2017, there were

3,030 three and four year olds looked after in foster care

and subsequently excluded from receiving the 15

additional hours of free childcare. However, we do not

know how many children in foster care would access the

additional hours if the eligibility criteria were applied to

fostering households. No estimate has therefore been

made.


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan

to extend the provision of 15 additional hours of free

childcare under the Childcare Act 2016 to foster

children in England; and if not, why not. [HL3062]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: Foster carers play a vital role

in supporting some of our most vulnerable children and

it’s vital that they are given effective support.

That’s why children in foster care are already entitled to

the universal 15 hours’ free childcare and foster carers

also receive funding and support for the care of their

foster child, including a national minimum allowance, and

favourable treatment in the tax and benefits system.

We are in the first term of the 30 hours’ free childcare

offer and we will continue to keep the policy and how it

works for families, including those fostering, under

review.

Civil Servants: Recruitment

Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon

To ask Her Majesty's Government why it was

necessary to employ 11,000 additional civil servants to

deliver Brexit; and whether they will publish a detailed

breakdown of their deployment. [HL3155]

Lord Young of Cookham: We do not recognise the

figure of 11,000. The whole of Government is preparing

for the UK to make an orderly and successful exit from

the European Union, and we are equipping ourselves with

the right people and the right skills across Government to

make this happen. Whilst workforce planning is primarily

the responsibility of each department to determine based

on their individual operational and policy requirements,

the Civil Service constantly reviews its capabilities in

order to deliver the Government’s commitment to leave

the EU and get the very best deal for the UK. Civil

Service HR is working closely with the Department for

Exiting the European Union to support departments,

functions and professions in continuing to develop plans

to address their emerging capacity and capability

requirements.

Criminal Proceedings: Disclosure of

Information



consulted on the inclusion of section 162 in the Policing

and Crime Act 2017, under which defendants in

criminal cases are required to disclose their nationality

at their first court appearance; and if so, whether they

will publish any responses to that consultation.

[HL3063]









Lord Keen of Elie: The changes introduced by section

162 in the Policing and Crime Act 2017 are intended to

allow the Home Office to begin consideration of

deportation action as quickly as possible, where an

individual is identified as a foreign national offender. A

public consultation on section 162 was not held, but

during its passage through Parliament this Bill offered the

opportunity for, and was subject to, extensive debate and

scrutiny.

Cryptocurrencies: Confiscation Orders

Asked by Lord Harris of Haringey

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any

confiscation orders have been made under the Proceeds

of Crime Act 2002 relating to sums held in digital

currencies; and if so, whether those orders required

payment in the relevant digital currency or in pounds

sterling. [HL3208]

Lord Keen of Elie: The Crown Prosecution Service

(CPS) has obtained one confiscation order to the value of

£2.2m, of which approximately £26,000 (1% of the total)

is held in a digital currency. The confiscation order must

be paid in pounds sterling. The Serious Fraud Office

(SFO) has not obtained any confiscation orders of this

type. Other prosecutors outside of the CPS and SFO have

powers to obtain confiscation orders; data for those

prosecutors is not known.

The CPS has successfully obtained 5 restraint orders

where the assets restrained include digital currency. The

CPS has obtained ancillary orders from the Crown Court

to make those restraint orders more effective by requiring

suspects or defendants to repatriate digital currencies held

abroad to the UK, to disclose the full particulars of digital

currencies held and to allow the digital currency held to

be converted to a flat currency, namely pounds sterling.

The CPS is considering the execution of a mutual

recognition request from an EU Member State, which has

sought recognition of a freezing order over digital

currency held in digital currency exchange accounts.

Devolution: England

Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon


Written Answer by Lord Young of Cookham on 13 July

(HL414) concerning an English Parliament and his

statement that "there is little or no public appetite or

need for an English Parliament", whether they have any

plans to bring forward legislation for a referendum in

England on the subject. [HL3157]

Lord Young of Cookham: There are no plans to bring

forward legislation for a referendum on this subject in

England. The Government thinks it right that English

MPs should have a decisive role to play in the passage of

legislation that affects only England. The implementation

of English votes for English laws delivers a coherent

constitutional settlement and a voice for all. The

Government is focused on delivering the commitments

that we made to the people of England, Scotland, Wales

and Northern Ireland through the delivery of further

devolution to the nations and regions.

Devolution: Scotland

Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood

To ask Her Majesty's Government, what assessment

they have of the case for devolving more powers to the

Scottish Parliament after Brexit. [HL3152]

Lord Young of Cookham: The Government expects

that the return of powers from the EU will lead to a

significant increase in the decision making powers for the

devolved administrations, including the Scottish

Parliament. It will bring power closer to people than ever

before.

The Government is continuing to discuss this with the

devolved administrations, working through the relevant

areas of EU law to determine where common approaches

will and will not be required, and the different forms that

common approaches could take. The common framework

principles agreed at the Joint Ministerial Committee

(European Negotiations) are guiding these discussions.

Duchy of Cornwall: Investment

Asked by Lord Berkeley

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether

any investment by the Duchy of Cornwall requires the

approval of HM Treasury; and if so, what level of

investment. [HL3066]

Lord Bates: The Duchy of Cornwall Management Acts

1963 and 1982 require the Treasury to authorise

transactions over £500,000 on the Duchy’s capital

account in relation to land and property.


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HM

Treasury approved the offshore investments by the

Duchy of Cornwall of $3.9 million in 2007 which

were disclosed in the Appleby papers. [HL3067]

Lord Bates: The Treasury’s oversight of the Duchy

relates to the sale of and expenditure on land and

property, as required by the Management Acts. The

Treasury does not oversee and approve the Duchy’s

financial investments.

Duchy of Cornwall: Taxation


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they treat

the Duchy of Cornwall as a private or public

corporation, a company, a trust, or a settlement, for tax

purposes. [HL3068]

Lord Bates: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is

the department with principal responsibility for reviewing








individual tax affairs. They do not comment on the affairs

of identifiable taxpayers. However, since 1993 the Prince

of Wales has voluntarily paid tax on income from the

Duchy of Cornwall. The 2013 Memorandum of

Understanding on Royal Taxation gives further details

and is available on GOV.UK.

Employment: Disability



taking to ensure that disabled people are aware of their

rights at work. [HL3123]

Baroness Buscombe: Equality and Human Rights

Commission is the body tasked with promoting equality

in routes into work, fair treatment at work and fair

opportunities for progression. It was established by the

Equality Act and is an office of the Government

Equalities Office within the Department for Education

reporting to the Minister for Women and Equalities. Its

strategic plan to deliver its objectives, including

promoting equality in routes into work, can be found

attached.

The Disability Confident Scheme focuses on the role of

employers, who have a crucial role to play in ensuring

disabled people are recruited, retained and developed in

their careers.

Disability Confident is about creating a movement for

change and involves business talking to business, with

disability confident employers sharing their evidence and

experiences with other employers.


Strategic Plan [HL 3123 HR Strategic Plan.pdf]



Equality and Human Rights Commission:

Public Appointments

Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill


Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 1

November (HL2213), what are the terms and conditions

of appointments of members to the board of the

Equality and Human Rights Commission; and what

sanctions may be imposed if those conditions are

breached. [HL3118]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The terms and conditions of

appointments of members to the Board of the Equality

and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are set out in

summary in the EHRC Commissioner applicant

information pack, as advertised on the Centre for Public

Appointments website. A copy of the EHRC

Commissioner applicant information pack is attached and

can be found at:

https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/wp-

content/uploads/2017/10/EHRC-COMMISSIONER-

candidate-infomation-pack.doc.

Failure to comply with EHRC’s Code of Conduct, a

requirement within the terms and conditions is addressed

in part four of EHRC’s Governance Manual; Code of

Conduct and conflicts of interest. A copy of the EHRC’s

Governance Manual is attached and can be found at:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files

/governance_manual.pdf.


Applicant information Pack [HL3118 EHRC-COMMISSIONER-

candidate-infomation-pack.doc]

Governance manual [governance_manual.pdf]




Fairtrade Initiative

Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment

they have made of the contribution made by the

Fairtrade movement to improving the lives of people

employed in the supply chains of Fairtrade products.

[HL3107]

Lord Bates: The UK government is a strong supporter

of the Fairtrade movement, which plays an important role

in helping producers around the world improve their lives

by ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their

products, workers receive better wages and by making

agricultural practices more sustainable. Fairtrade provides

a minimum price for sales, as well as a premium, and

certifies smallholder and plantation supply chains, as well

as extractives such as gold. More than 1.65 million

farmers and workers worldwide have benefitted from

being part of Fairtrade certified producer organisations .

Female Genital Mutilation: Plastic Surgery

Asked by Baroness Gould of Potternewton

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have to issue guidance for all healthcare providers

clarifying the circumstances under which procedures

marketed as "female genital cosmetic surgery" may be

necessary for a woman’s physical or mental health and

therefore not banned under the Female Genital

Mutilation Act 2003. [HL3083]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Female Genital Mutilation

Act 2003, which makes female genital mutilation (FGM)

a criminal offence, clearly sets out the medical

circumstances in which it is not an offence to carry out a

surgical operation on the labia majora, labia minora or

clitoris: these circumstances are where the operation is

carried out by an approved person (such as a medical

professional) and is necessary for a woman or girl's






https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/EHRC-COMMISSIONER-candidate-infomation-pack.doc



https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/governance_manual.pdf

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/governance_manual.pdf








physical or mental health or is for purposes connected

with labour or birth. This surgery should not be

undertaken within the National Health Service unless it is

medically indicated.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

(RCOG) are clear in their guidelines, Female Genital

Mutilation and its Management, published in July 2015,

that “Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) may be

prohibited unless it is necessary for the patient’s physical

or mental health. All surgeons who undertake FGCS must

take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the

FGM Acts.” A copy of the guidelines is attached. The

RCOG also published an ethical opinion paper in relation

to female genital cosmetic surgery in 2013, which

provides background briefing on FGM and explores the

ethical considerations in relation to FGCS around consent,

minors and clinical evidence. A copy of the opinion

paper, Ethical considerations in relation to female genital

cosmetic surgery (FCGS), is attached.


Ethical Opinion Paper [HL3083 B.pdf]

Female Genital Mutilation and its Management [HL3083 A.pdf]



Firearms: Licensing

Asked by Lord Mancroft


they have made of the benefits of continued

participation in, and recognition of, the European

Firearms Pass arrangements after the UK has left the

EU. [HL3390]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The European

Firearms Pass assists EU nationals when travelling with

firearms across EU borders, for example to participate in

shooting events. As part of the negotiations for Brexit, the

UK will discuss with the EU how best to continue

cooperation in the field of firearms regulation, which

includes the European Firearms Pass, in the best interests

of both the UK and the EU.

Gambling: Mental Health

Asked by Lord Porter of Spalding


they have made of the link between mental health and

problem gambling; and what steps they are taking to

address that link. [HL3136]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government has not made

any formal assessment of a direct link between mental

health and problem gambling.

Problem gambling can cause physical and mental health

problems, including anxiety disorders and depression. The

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)

programme began in 2008 and has transformed treatment

of adult anxiety disorders and depression in England.

Over 900,000 people now access IAPT services each

year, and the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health

has pledged to expand services further to see a further one

million more people treated for mental health problems

every year by 2020, alongside improving quality.

Although problem gambling is not listed amongst the

provisional diagnosis categories that IAPT treats, IAPT

practitioners would be able to treat common mental health

disorders such as depression and anxiety which problem

gamblers may present with.

Greenwich School of Management

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has

raised any concerns about the validation of degrees

offered by Greenwich School of Management.

[HL3161]

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Quality Assurance

Agency for Higher Education (QAA) investigates

concerns about standards, quality and the information that

providers make available in relation to their higher

education provision. Where QAA identifies evidence of

systemic concerns these issues may be investigated

through a focused concerns investigation, a Higher

Education Review (Alternative Provider) (HER (AP)) or a

provider’s annual quality monitoring visit.

QAA does not disclose the names of providers that are

currently the subject of QAA concerns activity, or the

nature or those concerns but, where these lead to a

concerns investigation, the outcomes from this activity

will be published on the QAA website once QAA has

concluded its investigations.

Following concerns received by the Department in May

2015, including around the management of the college's

relationship with its awarding body, QAA initiated a full

investigation into Greenwich School of Management.

This took place from 21 to 22 September 2015. Attached

is the QAA’s report and statement on these concerns. This

is published on the QAA website and can be found at:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-

reports/provider?UKPRN=10007937#.Wg8JlWxLHZs.

The department takes allegations of fraud and

malpractice extremely seriously and we are grateful to

BBC Panorama for bringing the allegations against

Greenwich School of Management to our attention.

Working with stakeholders, we will take robust action

where abuses of the system are evident.

Through the HER (AP) process, QAA also routinely

considers how validation arrangements are effectively

managed and overseen by the degree-awarding body,

ensuring that robust processes are in place to secure the

quality of student learning opportunities, irrespective of

where these take place or who provides them.








http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports/provider?UKPRN=10007937#.Wg8JlWxLHZs

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports/provider?UKPRN=10007937#.Wg8JlWxLHZs


An outcomes report from the Greenwich School of

Management’s recent HER (AP) is due to be published in

December 2017.


Institutional Review GSM Report [HL3161 - Attachment 2 -

Institutional Review GSM Report - 231117.pdf]

Institutional Review GSM Statement [HL3161 - Attachment 1 -

Institutional Review GSM Statement - 231117.mht.docx]



Health Services: Immigrants

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark


they have made of the distribution of funding received

through the Immigration Health Surcharge; and whether

the distribution of that funding is linked to specific

migration-related impacts for each NHS authority in

England. [HL3112]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Department does not

collect this information centrally. NHS England advises

that funding allocation formulae include no specific

assessment of migration-related impacts, although they do

take account of the overall size of the local population.

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark


estimate of the cost impact of migration on each NHS

authority in England, in each of the last five years.

[HL3113]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Department does not hold

this information.

However, an independent analysis report commissioned

by the Department to better understand the use and cost of

treating overseas visitors and migrants was published on

22 October 2013. This report shows that the cost of

treating all visitors and migrants is estimated to be around

£2 billion per year. This includes some groups who were

entitled to free National Health Service treatment either

by being ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, or

exempt from charges under Regulations. However, of the

£2 billion it is estimated that around £500 million is

recoverable under the current charging regulations and the

current application of the regulations.

Higher Education: Standards

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has

raised any concerns about (1) Greenwich School of

Management, and (2) Grafton College of Management

Services, in the last year. [HL3159]

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Quality Assurance

Agency for Higher Education (QAA) investigates

concerns about standards, quality and the information that

providers make available in relation to their higher

education provision. Where QAA identifies evidence of

systemic concerns these issues may be investigated

through a focused concerns investigation, a Higher

Education Review (Alternative Provider) (HER (AP)) or a

provider’s annual quality monitoring visit

QAA does not disclose the names of providers that are

currently the subject of QAA concerns activity, or the

nature or those concerns. But where these lead to a

concerns investigation, the outcomes from this activity

will be published on the QAA website once QAA has

concluded its investigations.

QAA did not report on any new concerns about Grafton

College of Management Sciences or Greenwich School of

Management within the last year. However, QAA’s HER

(AP) report on Grafton College, which was published in

June 2016, contains a commentary on the status of an

earlier completed concern investigation into Grafton

College of Management Sciences (copy attached). A

QAA outcomes report from the Greenwich School of

Management’s recent HER (AP) is also due to be

published in December 2017.

The department takes allegations of fraud and

malpractice extremely seriously and we are grateful to

BBC Panorama for bringing the allegations against both

of these providers to our attention. Working with

stakeholders, we will take robust action where abuses of

the system are evident.


HE Review (AP) of Grafton College [HL3159 - Attachment - HE

Review (AP) of Grafton College - 231117.pdf]




HIV Infection

Asked by Lord Black of Brentwood

To ask Her Majesty's Government what funding they

will provide in the financial year 2018–19 to prevent

new HIV infections in England. [HL3176]

Asked by Lord Black of Brentwood

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of

Sustainable Development Goal 3 to end the global

AIDS epidemic by 2030, what progress has been made

in England to prevent new HIV infections; and what

plans they have to accelerate that progress. [HL3178]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: Significant progress is being

made towards Sustainable Development Goal 3. In

London, which has the highest HIV prevalence in the

country, all the global UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets have

been met, with 90% of people living with HIV infection

diagnosed, 97% of people diagnosed receiving treatment,














and 97% of those receiving treatment virally suppressed.

The equivalent figures for the whole of England were

88%, 96% and 97% respectively. There was an 18%

reduction in new HIV diagnoses in 2016 compared to

2015.

We are continuing to focus our attention on preventing

the spread of HIV and in particular, to support those

people who are most at risk of infection. Public Health

England (PHE) has a three year contract (£1.2 million a

year) with the Terrence Higgins Trust for a National HIV

Prevention Programme. In addition, PHE invest £600,000

annually in a HIV innovation fund and are continuing to

invest in an innovative HIV home sampling service. NHS

England have allocated up to £10 million over the next

three years in the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Impact Trial. The three year trial of 10,000 participants

will address outstanding questions on PrEP need, uptake

and duration of use in those at high risk of HIV

acquisition in England. Local authorities are also

responsible for funding HIV prevention for their local

communities.

House of Lords: Ministers

Asked by Lord Grocott

To ask Her Majesty's Government, since 2010, how

many House of Lords ministers have been appointed to

their posts prior to their introduction to the House of

Lords; and, of those who are no longer ministers, what

was the average length of their tenure in ministerial

office. [HL3084]

Lord Young of Cookham: Since 2010, nine ministers

have been appointed to their posts prior to their

introduction to the House of Lords. Of those who are no

longer House of Lords Ministers, the average length of

tenure in ministerial office was 23 months.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Asked by The Countess of Mar


Written Answer by Lord O'Shaughnessy on 2

November (HL2355) that no link has been established

between HPV vaccines and chronic illness, what

assessment they have made of the awards for damages

made by the US Vaccine Court to 38 of 58 cases on this

issue since 2016. [HL3226]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: We have made no assessment of

vaccine damage awards for human papillomavirus (HPV)

vaccine in the United States as this is a matter for the US

courts.

Thorough reviews undertaken by national and

international scientific bodies have found no evidence to

support a link between HPV vaccine and the development

of chronic illnesses.

Immigrants: Data Protection

Asked by Lord Scriven


sought legal advice on the data sharing agreement on

migrants' information that was signed in January

between the Home Office, Department of Health and

NHS England; if so, whether that advice covered the

requirements of, and compatibility with, current and

future data protection legislation; on what date they

received that advice; and what assessment they have

made of the data protection implications of that

agreement. [HL3406]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Any legal advice

provided to HMG during the development of the

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be subject

to legal professional privilege. The MOU is subject to

ongoing litigation and it would not be appropriate to

comment further.

Immigrants: Detainees



taking to ensure that Freedom of Information requests

on the use of immigration detention for pregnant

women are responded to within the deadlines specified

by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL3448]


takes every step to ensure Freedom of Information

requests are answered within the 20 day statutory

deadline. The recent increase in the 90% performance

target implemented by the Information Commissioner’s

Office (ICO) has led to the Home Office reviewing its

processes and implementing a series of measures to

streamline drafting and clearance. With cases where the

requestor has asked for information which is sensitive or

difficult to obtain can lead to some responses missing

their deadline. We closely monitor performance and stress

at the most senior levels in the department the need to

improve and maintain performance within acceptable

levels.


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan

to publish regular statistical information on the use of

immigration detention for pregnant women, to ensure

effective scrutiny of the 72-hour time limit on their

detention. [HL3449]


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many women

recorded as pregnant have been held in immigration

detention since the Immigration Act 2016 came into

force; and of those, how many left detention to be

removed from the UK. [HL3450]









keeps under review the statistics that are published in line

with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, balancing

user needs against burdens on data suppliers. We do not

propose to publish statistical information routinely on the

detention of pregnant women.

Through section 60 of the Immigration Act 2016, which

came into force on 12 July 2016, we have placed a 72

hour limit on the detention of pregnant women for the

purposes of removal, extendable to up to a week in total

with Ministerial authorisation.

It may not always be appropriate for healthcare

professionals to disclose confidential medical information

that the patient has asked not to be disclosed. Subject to

these limitations, Home Office management information

indicates that 47 pregnant women were detained in the

immigration detention estate between 12 July 2016 and 30

June 2017. For the same period this resulted in 8 pregnant

women being removed from the UK. This is provisional

management information that has not been assured to the

standard of official statistics.

The section 60 limitations, along with a new policy on

adults at risk in detention, and other improvements to case

working processes, represent a comprehensive package of

safeguards for pregnant women in the immigration

system.

Islamic State: British Nationals Abroad

Asked by Lord Ahmed

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK

citizens returning from Syria who are suspected to have

been involved in supporting ISIS are eligible for

council accommodation. [HL3164]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Everyone who returns

from taking part in the conflict in Syria or Iraq will be

investigated by the police to determine if they have

committed criminal offences, and to ensure that they do

not pose a threat to our national security.

Local authorities lead on housing decisions and it is for

them to decide whether their local criteria has been met

for an individual to be provided with housing. HMG has

not set out conditions to be met to house individuals

returning from Syria.

Israel: Visits Abroad

Asked by Lord Cope of Berkeley

To ask Her Majesty's Government which Government

ministers have visited Israel in the last two years on (1)

private, and (2) official visits; and when they did so.

[HL3071]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Foreign and

Commonwealth Office does not keep records of

Government ministers' private visits to Israel. The

following ministers have made official visits to Israel in

the last two years:

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood, 17-18

February 2016; Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt

Hancock, 15-17 February 2016; Minister of State at the

Home Office Baroness Williams of Trafford, 2-3 June

2016; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for

International Trade Mark Garnier, 20–22 September

2016; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Boris

Johnson, 29-30 September 2016; Minister of State for

Digital Matt Hancock, 18 December, and 20–21

December 2016; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

Boris Johnson, 7–8 March 2017; Minister of State for

International Development Rory Stewart, 19 March 2017;

Minister of State for Trade Policy Lord Price CVO, 28–30

March 2017; and Minister for the Middle East Alistair

Burt, 22-23 August 2017.

Jagtar Singh Johal

Asked by Lord Singh of Wimbledon

To ask Her Majesty's Government what

representations they have made to the government of

India concerning the arrest of UK citizen Jagtar Singh

Johal; and what response, if any, they have received.

[HL3145]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British High

Commission has raised this case with the Indian

authorities. Following high level lobbying, consular staff

visited Mr Johal on 16th November. The Rt Hon Field,

the Minister for Asia and the Pacific met with Mr Johal's

MP and brother on 27 November. We will continue to

raise this case with the authorities to ensure we have

regular and full consular access.

Kim Moon Chul

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty's Government what links, if

any, they and the British Embassy in Pyongyang have

to Kim Moon Chul of the Korean Federation for the

Protection of the Disabled; whether he has entered the

UK; and if so, on how many occasions. [HL3057]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Current and former

diplomats at the British Embassy in Pyongyang, and

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London,

have met Mr Kim Mun Chol on several occasions to

discuss the protection and rights of persons with disability

in the DPRK and the role of the Korean Federation for the

Protection of the Disabled. We understand Mr Kim has

visited the UK on a number of occasions, including earlier

this year.

Local Government Finance



they have made of the recommendations in the Local

Government Association’s submission to the Autumn

Budget. [HL3139]









Lord Bates: Ahead of the Budget, HM Treasury

received submissions from a range of stakeholders. We

welcome all Budget submissions, particularly from

organisations like the LGA who have unique insight and

challenges and opportunities for local government. While

it would not be appropriate to respond in detail to

individual proposals, the government did carefully

consider all submissions.

Mandarin Language: Education

Asked by Lord Pendry


Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 2

November (HL2292), which schools have participated

in the Mandarin Excellence Programme so far and

which of them are state schools and which are private.

[HL3132]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The schools listed below have

participated in the Mandarin Excellence Programme so

far. They are all state schools.

Year one 2016/17:

Alexandra Park School, London

Anglo European School, Ingateston

Beths Grammar School, Bexley

Bohunt School, Liphook

Dartford Grammar School, Dartford

Finham Park School, Coventry

Fortismere School, London

Gumley House Convent School, Isleworth

Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre, Tenterden

Kingsford Community School, London

Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall

St Joseph's College, London

St Mary Magdalene Academy, London

Upton Hall School FCJ, Upton, Wirral

Year two 2017/18:

All Hallows Catholic College, Macclesfield

Bay House School, Gosport

Bohunt Worthing, Worthing

Christ’s College Finchley, London

Christopher Whitehead Language College & Sixth

Form, Worcester

Cowley International College, Saint Helens

Didcot Girls' School, Didcot

Evelyn Grace Academy, London

Finham Park 2, Coventry

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, Reading

Hove Park, Hove

Ingleby Manor Free School & Sixth Form, Stockton-

on-Tees

Lambeth Academy, London

Lyng Hall, Coventry

Mayfield Grammar School, Kent

Melbourn Village College, Cambridge

Queen Mary’s High School, Walsall

Shevington High School, Wigan

St Catherine’s College, Eastbourne

St Gregory's, Bath

The Crossley Heath School, Halifax

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington

UCL Academy, London

Mefloquine

Asked by The Countess of Mar


answer by Lord O'Shaughnessy on 7 November (HL

Deb, col 1689) that a link between mefloquine and

severe and persistent psychiatric symptoms has not

been established, what assessment they have made of

Lariam’s inclusion in the British Medical Journal’s

Visual Summary for Psychotic disorders list as a

possible cause of psychotic symptoms and the warnings

in the Roche patient information leaflet that Lariam

may cause serious mental problems. [HL3227]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: As with all medicines, the

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

(MHRA) keeps the product information for mefloquine

(which includes the patient information leaflet and the

summary of product characteristics) under review.

Mefloquine is effective in the prevention and treatment of

malaria. The current product information states that

neuropsychiatric adverse reactions may occur during

treatment and includes warnings and precautions to

minimise these risks. It also states that such adverse

reactions may persist for months, or longer, even after

discontinuation of the drug. It has not been established,

however, that such adverse reactions may be permanent.

The reference to mefloquine in the British Medical

Journal article on 8 November 2017, entitled Early

psychosis for the non-specialist doctor, is consistent with

the possible adverse reactions included in the mefloquine

product information.

Mental Health Services

Asked by Lord Crisp

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend

to publish proposals for a new acute adult care pathway

for mental health. [HL3073]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The pathway for acute adult

mental health care has been developed in draft and is






currently being considered for publication over the

coming months.

Asked by Lord Crisp


to publish proposals for introducing a maximum four

hour wait for acute adult mental health care and

bringing greater parity between mental and physical

health. [HL3074]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: NHS England has made

significant progress in relation to the development of a

comprehensive set of mental health care pathways,

including an acute mental health care pathway.

Whilst much of the pathway content has been finalised,

the material is currently being reviewed to ensure that it is

in line with the wider Five Year Forward View strategy

and that it provides the most helpful guidance to both

commissioners and providers in relation to the

commissioning and implementation of services to

improve access and outcomes for people with mental

health problems.

Mental Health Services: Children in Care

Asked by Lord McColl of Dulwich


taking to ensure access to mental health services for

children in care. [HL3220]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government is committed

to improving the mental health of looked after children,

many of whom are at an increased risk of having a

diagnosed mental health disorder. That is why the

Department of Health and the Department for Education

commissioned the Social Care Institute for Excellence to

convene an Expert Working Group to look at how to

improve mental health and emotional wellbeing support

for looked-after children. The findings of this group were

published on 6 November and we are currently

considering the recommendations.

NHS England is currently testing models for the use of

personal budgets for looked after children, those at risk of

entering care, adopted children and care leavers.

Mental Health Services: Out of Area

Treatment

Asked by Lord Crisp


to publish proposals for eliminating out of area

placements for non-specialised services for acute adult

psychiatric care. [HL3075]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: In February 2016, the

independent Commission on Acute Adult Psychiatric

Care described widespread problems with finding acute

inpatient beds. As a result, the Commission made a

recommendation to eliminate the practice of sending

people out of the area for care due to local acute bed

pressures.

NHS England has, in collaboration with all arms’ length

bodies, prepared a response to all of the

recommendations. It is currently in the final stages of

clearance and is intended to be published shortly.

Mental Health: Children in Care

Asked by Lord McColl of Dulwich

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have to amend the law so that an assessment of the

mental health of children in care accompanies the

current requirement to regularly review their physical

health. [HL3222]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Care Planning, Placement

and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 require

regular assessment of mental and emotional health, as

well as of physical health. Statutory guidance published in

2015 states that this case review must happen within 20

working days of the child starting to be looked after and

must be done by a registered medical practitioner. In

2015, the National Institute for Health and Clinical

Excellence updated PH28, its public health guidance on

looked-after children and young people. Recommendation

20 is that ‘all looked-after children and young people

have their physical, emotional and mental health needs

assessed by appropriately trained professionals.’

From 2018, the Department for Education will pilot

new approaches to improve the quality of mental health

assessments for looked-after children on entry to care.

Minimum Wage: Prosecutions

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn


Written Answer by Lord Henley on 10 November

(HL2703), for each National Minimum Wage

prosecution since 2007, by whom the case was referred

to HMRC for investigation. [HL3126]

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn


Written Answer by Lord Henley on 10 November

(HL2703), how many of the 13 National Minimum

Wage prosecutions made in the past nine years involved

roles advertised as internships. [HL3128]

Lord Bates: The government is determined that

everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum and

Living Wage (NMW) receives it. Anyone who feels they

have been underpaid NMW should contact the Acas

helpline on 0300 123 1100. HMRC review all complaints

that are referred to them.

HMRC acts on information from a range of sources,

including workers, third parties and unions but does not

disclose the source of an investigation in specific cases

for reasons of confidentiality.








As referenced in the answer to question [[1]] HL2704,

HMRC has recorded no prosecutions in relation to interns

and the National Minimum Wage.

[[1]]

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

questions-answers-statements/written-

question/Lords/2017-10-30/HL2704/

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, prior to

the introduction of the exemption from MOT tests for

vehicles aged 40 years and over, they plan to issue

guidance to motor retailers to avoid valuable historic

vehicles in good condition which are registered with the

DVLA being scrapped under scrappage discount

schemes. [HL3153]

Baroness Sugg: The Government has no plans to

provide specific guidance on scrappage of vehicles of

historical interest. Legislation will introduce a 40 year

rolling exemption from MOT testing for these vehicles,

providing they have not been substantially altered.

Officials are working, including with advice from the

Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, to finalise

draft guidance on how to identify whether a vehicle has

been substantially altered and this will be published

before the legislation comes into force in May 2018. We

have not so far seen significant evidence of scrappage

discount schemes encouraging the scrappage of valuable

older vehicles.

Non-domestic Rates

Asked by Baroness Pinnock

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they

have made of the effect on local government funding of

a zero increase in non-domestic rates in April 2018.

[HL3133]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The business rates

multiplier is normally adjusted each year in line with

inflation. When the multiplier was capped at a level below

inflation in 2015/16, the Government provided funding to

local government to compensate for the resulting

reduction in income from locally retained business rates.

Asked by Baroness Pinnock

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they

have made of the effect on local government funding

of using the Consumer Prices Index rather than the

Retail Prices Index for assessing the increase in non-

domestic rates in April 2018. [HL3134]

Lord Bates: Autumn Budget 2017 announced that the

planned switch in the indexation of business rates from

RPI to CPI will be brought forward by two years to April

2018. Central government will fully compensate local

authorities for income lost as a result of this measure.

Non-domestic Rates: Tax Evasion



Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 27

October (HL1859), what plans they have to work with

local government to address business rates avoidance.

[HL3137]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: I welcome the

opportunity to develop proposals to tackle business rates

avoidance together with the Local Government

Association and local government.

North Korea: Diplomatic Service


To ask Her Majesty's Government what projects the

British Embassy in Pyongyang are currently

undertaking in the Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea; at what financial cost; and whether any of those

projects have an explicit focus on human rights, rather

than humanitarian work. [HL3055]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Through our Embassy in

Pyongyang the UK has so far funded three very small-

scale projects this fiscal year totalling £64,000, aimed at

supporting basic needs and disability rights. The Foreign

Secretary has instructed that funding for aid to North

Korea should be discontinued. We are now working with

implementing partners to close these activities in the next

few months as a consequence of the unacceptable reckless

disregard for international law by the DPRK regime.

North Korea: Embassies



taking to comply with paragraphs 14 and 16 of UN

Security Council Resolution 2321 (2016) to reduce the

number of staff, and limit the number of bank accounts

held by staff, based at the Embassy of the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea in London. [HL3056]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK fully

implements all measures contained in UN Security

Council Resolutions (UNSCR). Diplomats serving in the

Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in

London are restricted to one bank account per person. The

presence of the DPRK Embassy in the UK allows us to

deliver tough messages directly to the regime. In light of

repeated violations of UNSCRs and North Korea's

aggressive rhetoric, our bilateral relations are under

constant review.

Ophthalmology: Regulation


To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the

findings of a recent Which? investigation into the

quality of optical prescriptions, whether they have any

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-10-30/HL2704/












plans to review the regulation of opticians and the

performance of the General Optical Council. [HL3135]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government is consulting

on proposals for the reform of the professional regulation

of healthcare professionals, including opticians, in the

United Kingdom. This consultation closes on 23 January

2018.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is the

independent body responsible for overseeing the work of

the nine statutory bodies that regulate health professionals

in the UK and social workers in England. The PSA

reviews the performance of the General Optical Council

on an annual basis.

Palestinians: Visits Abroad

Asked by Lord Cope of Berkeley

To ask Her Majesty's Government which Government

ministers have visited the Palestinian Occupied

Territories, including East Jerusalem, in the last two

years on (1) private, and (2) official visits; and when

they did so. [HL3072]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Foreign and

Commonwealth Office does not keep records of

Government ministers' private visits to the Occupied

Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The following ministers

have made official visits to the OPTs in the last two years:

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood, 16-18

February 2016; Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt

Hancock, 17 February 2016; Minister of State at the

Home Office Baroness Williams of Trafford, 1 June

2016; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for

International Trade Mark Garnier, 21 September 2016;

Minister of State for Digital Matt Hancock, 19 December

2016; Secretary of State or Foreign Affairs Boris Johnson,

8 March 2017; Minister of State for International

Development Rory Stewart, 18-19 March 2017; and

Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt, 20-22 August

2017.

Post-operative Care



taking to raise awareness amongst GPs of post-

operative problems. [HL3138]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: General practitioners are

responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge

remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as

part of their continuing professional development. This

activity should include taking account of new research

and developments in guidance, such as that produced by

the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to

ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care

to all patients.

The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors

are set by the relevant medical royal college and have to

meet the standards set by the General Medical Council.

Whilst curricula do not necessarily highlight specific

conditions for doctors to be aware of, they instead

emphasise the skills and approaches that a doctor must

develop in order to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses

and treatment plans for their patients.

Prisoners

Asked by Baroness Burt of Solihull

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they

have taken to ensure that appropriate pastoral support is

available to non-religious prisoners in English and

Welsh prisons on an equal basis to religious chaplaincy,

and whether that support is proportionate to the

percentage of patients who describe themselves as non-

religious. [HL3349]

Lord Keen of Elie: Chaplaincy teams provide pastoral

support to prisoners of all religions and none, and

increasingly include non-religious pastoral carers

accredited by Humanists UK. Pastoral support is available

to all prisoners regardless of whether or not they have

declared an affiliation to a particular religion.

More generally, support is provided to prisoners

through a range of other sources, including prison staff,

volunteers and peer supporters (such as Samaritans-

trained Listeners). Our prison reforms are building on

this, and the 2,500 additional frontline staff that we are

recruiting will allow us to deploy all residential staff as

dedicated key workers, each providing support to a

caseload of about six prisoners.

Private Rented Housing: Homelessness

Asked by Lord Shipley


they have made of Help to Rent projects and their

capacity to help local authorities meet their obligations

under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. [HL3144]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Help to rent projects

play an important role in enabling homeless people to

access the private rented sector. We are considering how

best to take forward mediated access in the context of our

overall homelessness prevention approach.

Rickets



intend to designate a group of health care professionals

to be accountable and responsible for the prevention of

rickets and its complications in the UK. [HL3098]


To ask Her Majesty's Government what analysis they

have undertaken of the steps necessary specifically to

protect members of the BAME community from the

risk of rickets and its complications. [HL3099]











assessment they have made of research published in

Endocrine Connections showing (1) that the UK does

not provide information to new parents before discharge

from neonatal and delivery units on the necessity of

infant vitamin D supplementation; and (2) that the

vitamin D supplementation programme in infants is not

monitored. [HL3100]



strategies they intend to develop to implement a rickets

prevention policy alongside the existing infection

prevention policy, in the light of evidence published in

Endocrine Connections demonstrating that the UK has

the worst adherence to infant vitamin D

supplementation in Europe. [HL3101]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government has no such

plans. Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring that

children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time

outside in the sun and take appropriate supplements

containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D, which is a widely

available supplement. There is already a range of

resources available to increase awareness of the need for

vitamin D supplements, including advice on the NHS

Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone

health, and supplements are readily available over the

counter and through the Healthy Start vitamins scheme.

In August the National Institute for Health and Care

Excellence updated its public health guidance on

increasing vitamin D supplement use among population

groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the

2016 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report

on Vitamin D and health. A copy of the guidance, Vitamin

D: supplement use in specific population groups, is

attached. This guideline includes recommendations on

how to: increase access to and availability of vitamin D

supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the

BAME community; ensure health professionals

recommend vitamin D supplements; raise awareness of

the importance of these supplements amongst the

population; and monitor provision and uptake of vitamin

D supplements.

Local commissioners will wish to consider how best to

take forward these recommendations in respect of local

BAME populations. The Government has made no formal

assessment of the research referred to.


Vitamin D: supplement use in specific groups [vitamin-d-

supplement-use-in-specific-population-groups-pdf-

1996421765317.pdf]



Scottish Parliament: Elections

Asked by Lord Wallace of Tankerness

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their

(1) ministers, and (2) officials, have held discussions

with the Scottish Government regarding the rights of

EU citizens to stand and vote in Scottish Parliament

elections following Brexit; and if so, when. [HL3246]

Lord Young of Cookham: UK Government Ministers

and officials have held regular discussion with Scottish

Government Ministers and officials on the progress of

citizens' rights negotiations, which includes the right to

stand and vote in municipal elections. There have been

official level conversations after each round of

negotiations with the EU and Ministerial conversations

after the majority of the rounds, including most recently at

the British-Irish Council on 10 November.

The UK Government position is that we want EU

citizens with settled status, or who are on the pathway to

settled status, to retain the right to vote and stand in any

UK election which uses the local government register

(which includes Scottish Parliamentary elections), so long

as the rights of British citizens living in the EU are

similarly protected.

Select Committee Reports: Government

Responses

Asked by Lord Norton of Louth

To ask the Leader of the House, further to her Written

Answer on 7 November (HL2539), what consideration

has been given to listing in House of Lords Business the

names of Government departments that have failed to

respond within two months to reports from Lords select

committees and joint select committees of both houses.

[HL3234]

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The question includes

a proposal which in my view is worth consideration; I am

not aware of the proposal having been made previously.

Accordingly, as any change to House of Lords Business

would be a matter for the Procedure Committee, I intend

to submit such a proposal for consideration at its next

meeting.

Smoking

Asked by Lord Laird


proposing to reduce the overall number of cigarettes

smoked in England. [HL3116]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government continues to

provide leadership and guidance on the most effective

interventions, ensuring that the new legislation is

implemented well and that organisations with national

responsibilities are joined up and effective in achieving

these ambitions. We will aim to provide access to training

for all health professionals on how to help patients quit,











promote links to stop smoking services across the health

and care system and strive to achieve a smokefree

National Health Service.

We will support local councils to identify local

solutions, particularly where prevalence remains high so

they can help people to quit. The Government will

maintain high duty rates for tobacco products to make

tobacco less affordable and will ensure that sanctions in

current legislation are effective and fit for purpose. Our

end goal is a smoke-free generation.

Social Services: Finance



they have made of the recommendations in the report

by the Local Government Association, Adult social care

funding: State of the nation 2017. [HL3140]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government has taken note

of the report by the Local Government Association, Adult

social care funding: State of the nation 2017, which calls

for additional funding for social care, an effective

response to tackling delayed transfers of care and

increased integration between local government and the

local National Health Service.

The Budget in March 2017 announced an additional £2

billion to be given to councils over the next three years

for social care. This additional funding means that

councils have access to £9.25 billion in total more

dedicated funding for social care over the next three

years.

Reducing pressures on the NHS, including supporting

more people to be discharged from hospital when they are

ready, is one of the three purposes of the £2 billion

provided in the Spring Budget. This is, of course, a shared

endeavour between councils and the different parts of the

local NHS. Everyone must do their part.

The Better Care Fund (BCF) has set the foundation to

integrate health and social care, but the Government

wants to deliver joined up care further and faster.

Relevant areas will be notified in due course whether they

will be shortlisted with a view to becoming a ‘graduate’

within the BCF once they have demonstrated that they

have moved beyond the requirements of BCF reporting

and are exemplars of integration.

The Government has set out plans to publish a Green

Paper by summer 2018 presenting its proposals to reform

care and support for older people.

Transport: Expenditure


To ask Her Majesty's Government what was their

(1) capital, and (2) resource, expenditure on transport in

each region of England in each of the last five years.

[HL3069]

Baroness Sugg: Investment by the Department for

Transport is made based on a fair and rigorous process

designed to ensure that spending goes where it is most

needed.

Figures on public sector expenditure at a regional level

are part of the Government’s Country and Regional

Analysis (CRA) statistics. These statistics attempt to

allocate the spending according to where the benefits of

the spending are accrued. For technical reasons it is

extremely difficult to make accurate cross-comparisons.

The statistics include spending on transport by all

public sector organisations, including the Department for

Transport, Local Authorities, Public Corporations (in the

case of transport, this is mainly spending by London

Underground) and other Government Departments

(including the devolved administrations).

The CRA also measures the levels of ‘capital’ and

‘current’ expenditure, which are presented separately in

the tables below. Capital spending can be used as a proxy

for investment, whereas current spending includes

recurring expenditure such as on wages and benefits.

Table 1: Public sector capital expenditure on transport, by region

£millions

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 1 2016-17

East of England

973 1,033 1,176 1,404 1,450

East

Midlands

469 597 749 799 666

London 3,875 4,027 4,550 5,247 6,082

North

East

295 329 417 474 520

North

West

1,117 1,114 1,358 1,891 1,775

South East

1,195 1,449 1,571 2,002 2,211

South West

624 660 802 1,008 1,165

West

Midlands

826 803 1,080 1,333 1,260

Yorkshire

and The

Humber

805 875 1,085 1,297 1,092

England

total

10,179 10,888 12,787 15,455 16,221

Source: Country and Regional Analysis statistics

Table 2: Public sector current expenditure on transport, by region

£millions

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 1 2016-17

East of

England

376 381 364 619 593





£millions

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 1 2016-17

East

Midlands

324 324 282 392 375

London 1,543 1,460 1,229 2,202 2,212

North East 238 228 201 261 248

North

West

634 634 522 847 895

South East 708 748 692 942 1,129

South

West

366 294 299 432 518

West

Midlands

385 404 354 557 564

Yorkshire

and The

Humber

613 640 409 702 727

England

total

5,187 5,113 4,352 6,954 7,261

Source: Country and Regional Analysis statistics 1 The full extent of Network Rail (NR) expenditure is

recorded in the CRA figures from 2015-16 following the

reclassification of NR as a public body. Prior to 2015-16,

only the Network Grants paid by the Government to NR

were included. This has led to an upward step-change in

total recorded NR spending in the CRA data and therefore

rail expenditure from 2015-16 onward is not directly

comparable with previous years.

When comparing expenditure across regions a number

of factors should be considered. For example, London

receives a substantial number of daily commuters and

visitors, both domestically and internationally, who will

be using and benefitting from the roads and public

transport networks but who aren’t London residents. The

unique scale and urban density of London also means that

large scale public transport networks are particularly

important. It should be additionally be noted that big

projects, such as Crossrail, which is the largest

infrastructure project in Europe, can in any case

significantly distort these figures.

UN Human Rights Council: Elections

Asked by Lord Alderdice

To ask Her Majesty's Government which state's

candidacy they decided to support in the recent election

to the UN Human Rights Council. [HL3054]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has a long-

standing policy of not revealing our voting intentions in

international elections, nor how we voted in the past.

However, four out of five regional slates were

uncontested this year, meaning the UK’s vote would not

have affected the final result.

Undocumented Migrants



answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 23

October (HL Deb, cols 769–70), how many individuals

are recorded by the Home Office as being in the United

Kingdom illegally. [HL3148]


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many

individuals they estimate to be in the United Kingdom

illegally. [HL3149]


To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they

have taken to ensure, in determining how many people

are in the United Kingdom illegally, that exit checks

and the International Passenger Survey cover dual

nationals. [HL3150]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Any estimate of the

exact size of the illegal population is extremely difficult

and there would be considerable uncertainty around it.

Exit checks were introduced in April 2015 and are, over

time, providing more detailed insights into the behaviour

of migrants and how they comply with the restrictions

placed upon their length of stay in the UK, but the data

obtained does not provide the total number of illegal

migrants in the UK. Instead of producing inaccurate

numbers, the Government is focused on making it harder

for people to live in the UK illegally.

The International Passenger Survey is the responsibility

of the Office for National Statistics and does not provide

estimates of the size of the illegal population.

Undocumented Migrants: Bank Services



answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 23

October (HL Deb, cols 769–70), how many individuals

have been identified as being in the United Kingdom

unlawfully only through checks carried out by banks

and building societies under the Immigration Act 2016.

[HL3147]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Any estimate of the

exact size of the illegal population is extremely difficult

and there would be considerable uncertainty around it.

The banking measures only apply to disqualified

persons - these are illegal migrants who are known to the

Home Office and are liable for removal or deportation

from the UK. The Home Office shares details of

disqualified persons with banks and building societies via

a specified anti-fraud organisation, for them to check

against their records.

The 2016 Act banking measures came into force on 30

October; however, banks and building societies are








required to conduct their first immigration check on all

personal current accounts within the first quarter (January

– March) of 2018. Banks and building societies must

report any matches to the Home Office and only take

action on accounts when instructed by the Home Office.

USA: Korean Federation for the Protection

of the Disabled



they have made of reports that items belonging to a

delegation of the Korean Federation for the Protection

of the Disabled were seized by the US Department of

Homeland Security in June; and whether the luggage of

a similar delegation was screened for items prohibited

by UN Security Council Resolutions during a visit to

the UK in 2017. [HL3058]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The US Department of

Homeland Security confirmed in June that the North

Korean citizens in question were not accredited members

of North Korea's Mission to the UN and had no

entitlement to diplomatic immunity. Their luggage

therefore also had no diplomatic protection from

inspection either in the US or when they visited the UK.

Yemen: Military Intervention



warning from the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator

that millions of Yemeni civilians face the risk of death

from famine, what urgent diplomatic action they plan to

take to secure the lifting of the air, land and sea

blockade of Yemen. [HL3092]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a leading

international advocate for safe, rapid and unhindered

humanitarian access into Yemen. In June we used our role

as penholder at the UN Security Council to sponsor and

coordinate a Presidential Statement, agreed on 15 June,

which called for an end to the fighting, a return to UN-led

peace talks, and the recognition of the importance of

unhindered humanitarian access. Our position has not

changed. The 4 November attempted missile attack on

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a heinous act which

deliberately targeted a civilian area and was intercepted

over an international airport. We have condemned it in the

strongest terms and recognise Saudi Arabia's legitimate

need to protect its national security. At the same time, as

our statement of 15 November made clear, it is vital that

Yemen remains open to humanitarian and commercial

access. The Saudi-led Coalition has stated that it will take

into account the provision of humanitarian supplies as it

reviews procedures designed to implement provisions on

weapon flows in UNSCR 2216. This is welcome, as are

reports that ports are functioning in areas controlled by

the Government of Yemen. Clearly there is further to go

however to ensure humanitarian and commercial access

throughout Yemen. We have engaged with the Saudi

Arabian Government at the highest levels on these issues

since the 4 November incident and will continue to do so.

We are also closely engaged with the UAE and other

regional and international partners.



warning by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator that

millions of Yemeni civilians face the risk of death from

famine, what representations they have made to

governments of (1) Saudi Arabia, and (2) the United

Arab Emirates, regarding the lifting of the air, land and

sea blockade of Yemen. [HL3093]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a leading

international advocate for safe, rapid and unhindered

humanitarian access into Yemen. In June we used our role

as penholder at the UN Security Council to sponsor and

coordinate a Presidential Statement, agreed on 15 June,

which called for an end to the fighting, a return to UN-led

peace talks, and the recognition of the importance of

unhindered humanitarian access. Our position has not

changed. The 4 November attempted missile attack on

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a heinous act which

deliberately targeted a civilian area and was intercepted

over an international airport. We have condemned it in the

strongest terms and recognise Saudi Arabia's legitimate

need to protect its national security. At the same time, as

our statement of 15 November made clear, it is vital that

Yemen remains open to humanitarian and commercial

access. The Saudi-led Coalition has stated that it will take

into account the provision of humanitarian supplies as it

reviews procedures designed to implement provisions on

weapon flows in UNSCR 2216. This is welcome, as are

reports that ports are functioning in areas controlled by

the Government of Yemen. Clearly there is further to go

however to ensure humanitarian and commercial access

throughout Yemen. We have engaged with the Saudi

Arabian Government at the highest levels on these issues

since the 4 November incident and will continue to do so.

We are also closely engaged with the UAE and other

regional and international partners.




Index to Statements and Answers

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

Benefits and Pensions Up-rating 2018/19 ............ 1

Correction ............................................................. 1

Drones Update ...................................................... 1

Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial

Fund ...................................................................... 2

Trade Matters ....................................................... 3

Written Answers ..................................................... 4

Agency Nurses ..................................................... 4

Ambulance Services: South East .......................... 4

Anguilla: Hurricanes and Tornadoes .................... 4

Armed Forces: Malaria ......................................... 4

Arrests .................................................................. 5

Asylum: Finance ................................................... 5

Brexit .................................................................... 5

Burma: Human Rights .......................................... 5

Burma: Rohingya.................................................. 6

Burma: Sexual Offences ....................................... 6

Child Tax Credit ................................................... 7

Children: Day Care ............................................... 7

Civil Servants: Recruitment ................................. 7

Criminal Proceedings: Disclosure of Information 7

Cryptocurrencies: Confiscation Orders ................ 8

Devolution: England ............................................. 8

Devolution: Scotland ............................................ 8

Duchy of Cornwall: Investment ........................... 8

Duchy of Cornwall: Taxation ............................... 8

Employment: Disability........................................ 9

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Public

Appointments ....................................................... 9

Fairtrade Initiative ................................................ 9

Female Genital Mutilation: Plastic Surgery ......... 9

Firearms: Licensing ............................................ 10

Gambling: Mental Health ................................... 10

Greenwich School of Management .................... 10

Health Services: Immigrants .............................. 11

Higher Education: Standards ............................. 11

HIV Infection ..................................................... 11

House of Lords: Ministers ................................. 12

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination ................. 12

Immigrants: Data Protection .............................. 12

Immigrants: Detainees ....................................... 12

Islamic State: British Nationals Abroad ............ 13

Israel: Visits Abroad .......................................... 13

Jagtar Singh Johal .............................................. 13

Kim Moon Chul ................................................. 13

Local Government Finance................................ 13

Mandarin Language: Education ......................... 14

Mefloquine......................................................... 14

Mental Health Services ...................................... 14

Mental Health Services: Children in Care ......... 15

Mental Health Services: Out of Area Treatment 15

Mental Health: Children in Care ........................ 15

Minimum Wage: Prosecutions .......................... 15

Motor Vehicles: Testing .................................... 16

Non-domestic Rates ........................................... 16

Non-domestic Rates: Tax Evasion ..................... 16

North Korea: Diplomatic Service ...................... 16

North Korea: Embassies .................................... 16

Ophthalmology: Regulation............................... 16

Palestinians: Visits Abroad ................................ 17

Post-operative Care ............................................ 17

Prisoners ............................................................ 17

Private Rented Housing: Homelessness ............ 17

Rickets ............................................................... 17

Scottish Parliament: Elections ........................... 18

Select Committee Reports: Government

Responses .......................................................... 18

Smoking ............................................................. 18

Social Services: Finance .................................... 19

Transport: Expenditure ...................................... 19

UN Human Rights Council: Elections ............... 20

Index to Statements and Answers

Undocumented Migrants .................................... 20

Undocumented Migrants: Bank Services ........... 20

USA: Korean Federation for the Protection of the

Disabled .............................................................. 21

Yemen: Military Intervention ............................. 21

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