The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Myners on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the UK contributes towards the subsidisation of sugar production.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Sugar production is not directly subsidised in the UK. However, sugar beet growers in the UK are entitled to make a claim for support under the Basic Payment Scheme of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beith on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Bomber Command clasp is not awarded to veterans who served with 205 Group and flew sorties over occupied Europe from Southern Italy, and what recent consideration they have given to this issue.
Earl Howe
We have enormous admiration and respect for the unique contribution and sacrifice made by bomber aircrew who served outside of the UK. Sir John Holmes, in his Military Medals Review, specifically included a reconsideration of recognition for Bomber Command, although he recommended not to award medallic recognition to those who flew from outside the UK. This decision was made independently of the Ministry of Defence and subsequently agreed by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals and Her Majesty The Queen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beith on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that cases in the Court of Protection involving personal liberty are not delayed by lack of representation for persons with mental disabilities, following the recent ruling of that Court requiring representation in such cases.
Lord Faulks
The Court of Protection deals with some of the most vulnerable people in our society and is responsible for making difficult decisions including where a person must be deprived of their liberty for the purpose of care or treatment. The protection of vulnerable people is a priority for the Government and we remain committed to finding a fair and proportionate resolution. We are considering whether changes need to be made to the way these cases are dealt with in the courts following the recent ruling on this topic.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the review from Keele University, published in the Journal of Ecology, warning that almost all ash trees in Europe will be wiped out due to the fungal disease ash dieback and the emerald ash borer beetle, and what plans they have to tackle these twin problems.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
We are committed to protecting our country from tree pests and diseases and we want to ensure that the ash tree continues to have a place in our environment. To support this we have invested over £21 million in tree health research.
Natural tolerance to ash dieback does exist and the UK is leading research to identify resistant strains. Ash trees have a wide genetic diversity and potential for greater levels of resistance compared to other tree species affected by diseases.
There have been no findings of emerald ash borer anywhere in the EU. We have identified this pest as a threat, have introduced restrictions to protect against its introduction and are screening native populations of ash trees grown abroad for resistance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for those countries and territories in which those in receipt of the UK state pension are subject to the frozen pensions regulations, what is the process necessary to negotiate reciprocal agreements for pensions to be uprated annually.
Baroness Altmann
There are a number of considerations around whether to initiate the negotiation of reciprocal agreements for pensions and other social security benefits. These include reciprocity between the social security systems in the respective countries, the movement of people between the two countries, and the affordability of concluding and administering an agreement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce the membership of the Steering Group referred to on page eight of the Government’s Response to the Independent Recall Review by Lynn Faulds Wood, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 18 February.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
On 11 March, The Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise wrote to potential candidates who have until 6 April to respond. We will issue a statement shortly after.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many National Insurance numbers were in use at the end of each of the last five years for which records are available.
Lord Freud
The information requested is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there was any prior consultation before the decision was taken to end the post transaction valuation check and PAYE health check currently provided by HMRC with effect from 31 March 2016 and, if not, why not.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been consulting representative bodies through the Valuation Fiscal Forum over the last 18 months.
HMRC has not withdrawn valuation services that are most relevant to employee share ownership schemes.
HMRC has withdrawn valuation checks for income tax and PAYE as in most cases acceptable valuations were submitted, and therefore the service offered was not of sufficient value.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Nye on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many level 2 Craft, Creative Arts and Design (9.2) vocational qualifications were completed in each year since 2011 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined.
Lord Nash
As there is no formal definition of what constitutes “Craft, Creative Arts and Design”, it has not been possible to provide the information that is requested.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Nye on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many level 3 Craft, Creative Arts and Design (9.2) vocational qualifications were completed in each year since 2011 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined.
Lord Nash
As there is no formal definition of what constitutes “Craft, Creative Arts and Design”, it has not been possible to provide the information that is requested.