Category: Speeches

  • Mr John Baron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Mr John Baron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr John Baron on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made on the review of so-called letters of comfort issued to on-the-runs.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    On 11 March I appointed Lady Justice Hallett to carry out an independent inquiry into the administrative scheme dealing with so-called ‘on the runs’.

    The terms of reference require the provision of a full public account of the operation and extent of the scheme.

    I will lay a copy of the report before the House as soon as practicable after I receive it.

  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2014-06-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Kingdom has received any requests for mutual legal assistance in relation to the OPL 245 case.

    Baroness Warsi

    It is the usual longstanding Government policy neither to confirm nor deny the existence, content or status of any individual mutual legal assistance request.

  • Lord Harris of Haringey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Harris of Haringey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Harris of Haringey on 2014-03-24.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether people who live outside the Rural Support Zone whose properties are affected by HS2 will be considered for a property bond scheme.

    Baroness Kramer

    The Government is not yet able to confirm the outcome of the recent consultation on property compensation for Phase One of HS2, but expects to make an announcement soon.

  • Lord Tyler – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Tyler – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tyler on 2014-06-04.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka; and what recent discussions they have had with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights about the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka of 27 March.

    Baroness Warsi

    We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka especially in the North. Our concerns include the continued intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders (HRDs) and activists, attacks on religious minorities, and the protection of the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

    Through our Mission in Geneva, we maintain regular contact with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Following the adoption of the resolution, we are engaging with international partners to ensure the implementation of the resolution’s international investigation into violations of international law by both sides during Sri Lanka’s conflict. We believe that progress on accountability, human rights and reconciliation is important in establishing enduring peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Such progress will ensure Sri Lanka can reach its full potential as a strong and prosperous nation.

  • Lord Harrison – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Lord Harrison – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Harrison on 2014-03-24.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for large occupational defined benefit pension schemes to be active owners or stewards of their assets, in line with the definition of stewardship as highlighted in the Financial Reporting Council’s Stewardship Code.

    Lord Freud

    The Government supports the principles set out in the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) UK Stewardship Code including schemes becoming active stewards of their investments and reporting on that stewardship. The Code sets out a number of areas of good practice to which the FRC believes institutional investors should aspire, and operates on a ‘comply or explain’ basis. It includes guidance for pension schemes and other asset owners on steps they can take to protect and enhance the value that accrues to the ultimate beneficiary. The FCA requires UK authorised asset managers to report on whether or not they apply the Code.

    The UK stewardship code is voluntary, however we would encourage workplace pensions schemes to comply with the principles set out in the code. In addition we are developing governance standards of workplace defined contribution schemes, and have asked the Law Commission to investigate how fiduciary duties currently apply in the investment chain. The Pensions Regulator’s defined contribution Code of Practice also sets out the legal requirements and standards they expect trustees of defined contribution schemes to attain. This includes a section on investment which also references the FRC Stewardship code. These initiatives are part of our on-going work to ensure schemes are governed and administered to deliver in members’ interests.

  • Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top on 2014-06-04.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the pilot schemes on discharge from hospital of the homeless.

    Earl Howe

    We have commissioned Homeless Link to undertake an evaluation of the Homeless Hospital Discharge Fund and expect to receive a full report in September.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.

    Elizabeth Truss

    I refer the Rt. hon member to the response of 26 March 2014, Hansard column 300W, provided by the Cabinet Office.

  • Lord Laird – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Laird – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2014-06-04.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether lump sum retiring allowances in public sector pension schemes and the equivalent in private pension schemes including annuity payments and pension commencement lump sums are taxable; if so, whether they are taxed in the same way; and what are their proposals for taxing lump sum payments under the new pension arrangements announced in the Queen’s Speech.

    Lord Deighton

    At retirement individuals have the option of taking up to 25 per cent of their pension fund as a tax free pension commencement lump sum.

    Individuals at retirement can also take their pension pot as a lump sum:

    · If their total pension pots under all the schemes they belong to are worth £30,000 or less

    · Under certain circumstances, one of their pension pots is worth £10,000 or less

    25 percent would be tax free with the rest being taxed at the individual’s marginal rate.

    These rules apply to all registered pension schemes and therefore apply to both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions and to both private and public sector schemes.

  • Mr Dominic Raab – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Mr Dominic Raab – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Dominic Raab on 2014-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2014, Official Report, column 604W, on EU Justice and Home Affairs, with which countries the EU as a legal personality has concluded co-operation agreements in the field of justice and home affairs.

    Karen Bradley

    I refer my Hon. Friend to the response given by the Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington) on 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 70W. In addition, JHA agreements have also been concluded with Brazil, Ukraine and Moldova during the course of this Government which build on the borders and immigration aspects of the Schengen system, in which the UK does not participate.

  • FALSE – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    FALSE – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by FALSE on 2014-06-04.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the evidence cited in the article An Increase in the Sex Ratio of Births to India-born Mothers in England and Wales: Evidence for Sex-Selective Abortion” by Sylvie Dubuc and David Coleman published in Population and Development Review

    Earl Howe

    This article is a useful addition to the evidence base around sex selective abortions.

    On 23 May 2014 the Department published updated analysis of birth ratios for England and Wales 2008-2012. The analyses by country of birth and ethnicity did not offer evidence of sex selection taking place within England and Wales. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It is also available at:

    www.gov.uk/government/publications/analysis-of-male-to-female-birth-ratios-in-the-uk-2008-to-2012.

    The Department will repeat this analysis on an annual basis following publication of birth data and remain vigilant and receptive to reports of such practice.