The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Storey on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the charitable status of fee-charging educational foundations with more than 75 per cent of pupils from outside the United Kingdom.
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission’s Head of Policy to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Falkner of Margravine on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to complete their inquiry into the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood; and whether they intend to publish their complete findings.
Baroness Warsi
The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), asked Sir John Jenkins to complete the review of the Muslim Brotherhood before Parliament rises and will make public its findings after the Government has considered them.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to encourage the devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland to consider the effect on them of an affirmative vote in the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence.
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
The Government has no such plans. The Government has been clear that it is the Government for all of the United Kingdom including Scotland. It continues to act in the interests of all of the people of the UK, including people in Scotland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current numerical strength of the UK Border Force; and whether they consider that the present strength is sufficient to meet the demands placed upon it.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
Border Force has a full time equivalent workforce of 7,907 and we believe this is sufficient to meet demand.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the criteria for applicants to the UK Border Force.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
Applicants applying for permanent positions with Border Force are required to meet a range of eligibility criteria, depending upon the role and grade. This may include nationality, age, driving licence, academic achievements for the grade and previous experience.
The criteria for the key posts of Border Force Officer and Assistant Officer was formally reviewed in 2012. The requirement to hold a driving licence underwent an internal policy equality review in 2013.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how frequently the performance of members of the UK Border Force is reviewed.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
All Border Force staff have a minimum of three performance discussions a year: objective setting, mid-year and end-of-year reviews. Managers are strongly advised that these formal, mandatory meetings are supported by regular informal performance discussions throughout the year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many serving members of the UK Border Force were suspended from duty in 2012 and 2013; and for what reasons.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
The requested information cannot not be released as the number is fewer than five.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lipsey on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what grounds they consider that the Horseracing Betting Levy is compatible with articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Horserace Betting Levy is an existing state aid which predates the UK’s accession to the EU. It is on that ground that the Government considers the Levy to be compatible with the UK’s obligations under European Union law and state aid rules.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the defence of the normal use of prescribed drugs in protecting innocent patients from prosecution for drug driving.
Baroness Kramer
The Government will not be able to make a full assessment of the effectiveness of the statutory medical defence for those patients legitimately taking medication until the new drug driving offence comes into force next year. We have though appointed a research company who will be evaluating the effectiveness of the new offence including the application of the medical defence and will report in 2016.
The Government set out the actions it proposes to take on minimising any inconvenience on patients in the summary of responses to the consultations on its proposed drugs and limits to be specified in regulations on 27 March 2014, which is available at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/drug-driving-proposed-regulations and in the libraries of the House. We do not expect the new drug driving legislation to change for patients from the current position.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Scott of Needham Market on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the use of bioptic devices to facilitate driving for those with impaired vision.
Baroness Kramer
The use of bioptic devices has been considered by an expert working group established by the European Commission Driving Licence Committee, which included a representative from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
They concluded that the minimum standards for driving should not be changed before further research is conducted into the evidence and technological development of the devices.
The use of bioptic devices for driving would be considered only if they do not compromise road safety.