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  • Lord Pendry – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Lord Pendry – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Pendry on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the allegations directed at the leadership of the International Association of Athletics Federations in the light of the World Anti-Doping Agency report on non-compliance and widespread doping in Russian athletics.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe

    The International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) near unanimous vote to suspend Russian athletes from all competition reflected the worldwide reaction to the Independent Commission’s report to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

    Russia, the IAAF and WADA must now work together, to not only resolve the findings within the report, but to also re-establish the trust of clean athletes and spectators.

  • Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Marlesford on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they recognise President Bashar al-Assad as the de jure President of Syria.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The British Government recognises nation states and not governments. Assad has forfeited his legitimacy and any plausible claim to be part of Syria’s future. A transition away from Assad, to a more inclusive government that represents all Syrians is what the 2012 Geneva communiqué envisages, and this is what we will continue to work towards.

  • Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the The Lord Chairman of Committees

    Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the The Lord Chairman of Committees

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Marlesford on 2015-11-11.

    To ask the Chairman of Committees which peers who were Members of the House of Lords throughout the 2014–15 parliamentary session attended on fewer than 25 per cent of sitting days, indicating in respect of each peer the number of days attended.

    Lord Laming

    The House sat for 126 days in the 2014/15 Session and therefore members needed to attend at least 32 times to reach an attendance rate of 25%. For the purposes of this answer: an attendance is counted as an attendance in the Chamber, in Grand Committee, in a Select Committee or a vote in the division lobbies.

    The following members attended on fewer than 32 days. The figures do not include members who joined part way through the Session, members who died or retired part way through the session, or members who were disqualified or on leave of absence throughout the Session. Some of the Members listed were unwell and have since died, and some took leave of absence in the next Session. In discharging their parliamentary duties members of the House of Lords can draw substantially on experience and expertise gained outside Parliament. Therefore members may devote considerable time to maintaining and increasing that knowledge.

    Members who took leave of absence for part of the Session and attended fewer than 25% of total days that they were eligible to attend:

    Days attended

    Total sitting days that member was eligible to attend.

    Dixon, L.

    0

    32

    Mogg, L.

    0

    35

    Janner of Braunstone, L.

    0

    36

    Hutton, L.

    1

    109

    Brooks of Tremorfa, L.

    2

    27

    Evans of Parkside, L.

    2

    35

    Thomas of Walliswood, B.

    3

    41

    Other members who attended fewer than 32 times:

    Days attended

    Grabiner, L.

    0

    Healey, L.

    0

    Inge, L.

    0

    Mayhew of Twysden, L.

    0

    Neill of Bladen, L.

    0

    Saville of Newdigate, L.

    0

    Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, L.

    0

    Archer of Weston-Super-Mare, L.

    1

    Baldwin of Bewdley, E.

    1

    Browne of Madingley, L.

    1

    Goldie, B.

    1

    King of Lothbury, L.

    1

    Peel, E.

    1

    Weidenfeld, L.

    1

    Williamson of Horton, L.

    1

    Bell, L.

    2

    Cameron of Lochbroom, L.

    2

    Campbell of Loughborough, B.

    2

    Ezra, L.

    2

    Falkender, B.

    2

    Malloch-Brown, L.

    2

    Turner of Ecchinswell, L.

    2

    Wolfson of Aspley Guise, L.

    2

    Alliance, L.

    3

    Burns, L.

    3

    Carter of Barnes, L.

    3

    Heseltine, L.

    3

    Lloyd-Webber, L.

    3

    Sacks, L.

    3

    Tombs, L.

    3

    Sharman, L.

    4

    Parkinson, L.

    4

    Bamford, L.

    5

    Coe, L.

    5

    Feldman, L.

    5

    London, Bp.

    5

    Smith of Kelvin, L.

    5

    Waldegrave of North Hill, L.

    5

    Wilson of Dinton, L.

    5

    York, Abp.

    5

    Collins of Mapesbury, L.

    6

    Freyberg, L.

    6

    Fritchie, B.

    6

    Guthrie of Craigiebank, L.

    6

    Williams of Oystermouth, L.

    6

    Wolfson of Sunningdale, L.

    6

    Haughey, L.

    7

    Rogers of Riverside, L.

    7

    Stevenson of Coddenham, L.

    7

    Winchester, Bp.

    7

    Young of Graffham, L.

    7

    Darzi of Denham, L.

    8

    Kestenbaum, L.

    8

    Nickson, L.

    8

    Rotherwick, L.

    8

    Chelmsford, Bp.

    9

    Hall of Birkenhead, L.

    9

    Myners, L.

    9

    Renwick of Clifton, L.

    9

    Richards of Herstmonceux, L.

    9

    Bristol, Bp.

    10

    Rix, L.

    10

    Browne-Wilkinson, L.

    11

    O’Donnell, L.

    11

    Vallance of Tummel, L.

    12

    Carrington, L.

    12

    Browne of Ladyton, L.

    12

    Drayson, L.

    12

    Glendonbrook, L.

    12

    Green of Hurstpierpoint, L.

    12

    Leach of Fairford, L.

    12

    Sheffield, Bp.

    12

    Currie of Marylebone, L.

    13

    Hattersley, L.

    13

    Macfarlane of Bearsden, L.

    13

    Mandelson, L.

    13

    Ryder of Wensum, L.

    13

    Sassoon, L.

    13

    Truro, Bp.

    13

    Blackwell, L.

    14

    Canterbury, Abp.

    14

    McCluskey, L.

    14

    Tordoff, L.

    14

    Davies of Abersoch, L.

    15

    Hogg, B.

    15

    Leitch, L.

    15

    Neuberger, B.

    15

    Tanlaw, L.

    15

    Willoughby de Broke, L.

    15

    Falconer of Thoroton, L.

    16

    Hardie, L.

    16

    Haskins, L.

    16

    Montagu of Beaulieu, L.

    16

    Palumbo of Southwark, L.

    16

    Saatchi, L.

    16

    Stair, E.

    18

    Levene of Portsoken, L.

    18

    Edmiston, L.

    18

    Imbert, L.

    18

    Joffe, L.

    18

    Worcester, Bp.

    18

    Birmingham, Bp.

    19

    Kalms, L.

    19

    Lichfield, Bp.

    19

    Owen, L.

    19

    Patten of Barnes, L.

    19

    Young of Old Scone, B.

    19

    Feldman of Elstree, L.

    20

    Livingston of Parkhead, L.

    20

    Smith of Leigh, L.

    20

    Allan of Hallam, L.

    21

    Chadlington, L.

    21

    Chandos, V.

    21

    Durham, Bp.

    21

    Leicester, Bp.

    21

    Portsmouth, Bp.

    21

    Greenfield, B.

    22

    Macdonald of River Glaven, L.

    22

    Valentine, B.

    23

    Home, E.

    23

    Howard of Lympne, L.

    23

    Montgomery of Alamein, V.

    23

    Rochester, Bp.

    23

    Richardson of Calow, B.

    24

    Rosslyn, E.

    24

    Stern of Brentford, L.

    24

    Alli, L.

    25

    Magan of Castletown, L.

    25

    Puttnam, L.

    25

    Cullen of Whitekirk, L.

    26

    Levy, L.

    26

    Mar and Kellie, E.

    26

    Moore of Lower Marsh, L.

    26

    Palumbo, L.

    26

    Walker of Gestingthorpe, L.

    26

    Manningham-Buller, B.

    27

    Fellowes of West Stafford, L.

    27

    Turnbull, L.

    28

    Carswell, L.

    29

    Sugar, L.

    29

    Goldsmith, L.

    30

    Coventry, Bp.

    30

    Walker of Aldringham, L.

    30

    Cohen of Pimlico, B.

    31

    Judge, L.

    31

    Krebs, L.

    31

    Shaw of Northstead, L.

    31

    Sheldon, L.

    31
  • Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Marlesford on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 10 November (HL3150) about littering, when they expect to (1) start, and (2) complete, the process of seeking the views of local authorities about the size of the fine, the form and content of the penalty notice and exemptions to the keeper’s liability, and other details that need to be finalised before they implement section 54 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

    Lord Gardiner of Kimble

    As set out in our manifesto, we will review the case for increasing the fines for littering, and will begin a consultation on this later this year. The outcome of this work will inform the potential level of any civil penalty for littering from a vehicle.

    We plan to begin working with councils early next year to understand better their current enforcement practices and resources, and the barriers to effective enforcement. This will help us to consider the practicalities of implementation of any new regulatory approach (including any necessary exemptions to keepers’ liability). It will also help us to assess the new burdens on councils that would be associated with establishing a new civil penalties regime. Appropriate funding to cover any new burdens would have to be agreed before any regulations can be made.

  • Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the Responsibility Deal for alcohol in the light of the Institute of Alcohol Studies report Dead on Arrival? Evaluating the Public Health Responsibility Deal for Alcohol.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    We are currently reviewing all aspects of the Responsibility Deal, including for alcohol.

    Partnership working continues to play an important role and Government remains committed to its principles. The new Government has renewed priorities and we are currently working through ideas in these areas.

  • Baroness Hamwee – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Baroness Hamwee – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) parents of a minor, (2) siblings of a minor, and (3) other persons, were granted, on the basis of exceptional compelling, compassionate circumstances outside the Immigration Rules, a family reunion visa for reunion with a family member in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection, in each year from 2011 to date; and from which countries those persons have come.

    Lord Bates

    Family reunion applications are considered within the scope of the Immigration Rules. Under these Rules, only pre-existing families are eligible for family reunion i.e. spouse, civil partner, unmarried/same sex partner and minor children who formed part of the family unit at the time the sponsor (the person granted protection in the UK) fled to seek asylum.

    Family reunion visas are available to help families that become fragmented. Family reunion is intended to allow family members who formed part of the family unit before the refugee fled their country of origin, to reunite in the UK.

    The number of Family reunion visas issued and the country of application from 2011 to date can be found in the table below. It is not possible to break down the data to the applicant’s relationship with the individual that has already gained asylum in the UK.

    To note: ‘*’ appears where there are less than three applications.

    Applications issued

    Country of application

    2011

    2012

    2013

    2014

    2015
    (Jan-Jun)

    Albania

    *

    *

    *

    5

    –

    Algeria

    –

    –

    *

    –

    5

    Bahrain

    *

    15

    10

    5

    5

    Bangladesh

    –

    10

    5

    10

    10

    Belarus

    *

    5

    –

    5

    –

    Belgium

    –

    5

    5

    –

    5

    Burma

    20

    25

    5

    5

    5

    Cameroon

    60

    40

    30

    55

    15

    Canada

    *

    *

    *

    –

    *

    China

    25

    15

    20

    20

    10

    Congo (Dem. Rep.)

    80

    55

    70

    45

    15

    Cuba

    –

    *

    –

    5

    –

    Denmark

    –

    *

    5

    –

    5

    Egypt

    20

    50

    145

    135

    120

    Ethiopia

    685

    475

    450

    295

    85

    France

    5

    –

    5

    *

    –

    Gambia

    40

    40

    40

    80

    50

    Georgia

    –

    5

    5

    *

    –

    Germany

    *

    –

    5

    –

    –

    Ghana

    15

    25

    25

    30

    10

    Greece

    *

    5

    5

    10

    5

    India

    45

    30

    30

    25

    15

    Iran

    190

    55

    *

    –

    –

    Iraq

    –

    –

    *

    35

    30

    Irish Republic

    *

    5

    –

    –

    –

    Israel

    5

    *

    10

    15

    –

    Italy

    5

    5

    5

    5

    *

    Ivory Coast

    –

    –

    –

    10

    *

    Jamaica

    5

    –

    –

    *

    –

    Jordan

    20

    40

    95

    385

    60

    Kazakhstan

    *

    *

    –

    –

    –

    Kenya

    160

    160

    105

    80

    20

    Kuwait

    25

    25

    30

    40

    40

    Lebanon

    10

    110

    280

    405

    260

    Libya

    *

    *

    5

    5

    *

    Morocco

    –

    –

    *

    10

    5

    Mozambique

    *

    *

    –

    –

    –

    Namibia

    *

    *

    *

    *

    –

    Nepal

    10

    –

    10

    15

    5

    Netherlands

    *

    *

    5

    5

    –

    New Zealand

    *

    –

    –

    –

    –

    Nigeria

    5

    10

    10

    10

    5

    No biometrics

    775

    595

    740

    630

    80

    Pakistan

    345

    305

    360

    525

    300

    Portugal

    –

    –

    5

    –

    –

    Qatar

    –

    *

    5

    *

    5

    Romania

    –

    –

    5

    –

    –

    Russian Federation

    5

    5

    *

    10

    –

    Rwanda

    5

    5

    5

    5

    –

    Saudi Arabia

    5

    10

    10

    25

    40

    Senegal

    5

    5

    5

    5

    5

    Sierra Leone

    35

    10

    15

    20

    5

    South Africa

    55

    25

    20

    25

    10

    Sri Lanka

    305

    250

    305

    220

    105

    Sudan

    215

    380

    360

    355

    230

    Sweden

    –

    5

    5

    *

    *

    Switzerland

    –

    –

    5

    –

    *

    Syria

    235

    105

    5

    –

    –

    Tanzania

    15

    5

    10

    10

    5

    Trinidad and Tobago

    –

    –

    –

    *

    5

    Tunisia

    5

    5

    –

    *

    –

    Turkey

    55

    215

    330

    550

    215

    Uganda

    85

    135

    225

    195

    45

    Ukraine

    *

    5

    *

    *

    –

    United Arab Emirates

    25

    100

    120

    75

    70

    United States

    *

    –

    5

    5

    5

    Uzbekistan

    10

    5

    5

    *

    –

    Vietnam

    5

    –

    –

    5

    *

    Zambia

    10

    *

    –

    10

    *

    Zimbabwe

    640

    265

    145

    110

    25

    Grand Total

    4305

    3670

    4120

    4540

    1940

    “

  • Lord Forsyth of Drumlean – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Lord Forsyth of Drumlean – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the minimum wage in sterling in each EU member state.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe

    In the Low Pay Commission’s National Minimum Wage Report 2015, Appendix 3 outlines details of 2014 adult minimum wage rates in 12 comparator countries, including EU member states. Minimum wages vary in level and structure between countries given the context of their economic and labour market conditions. These comparisons are broken down in the table below.

    Comparison of Adult Minimum Wage, by Country, End 2014

    In national currency expressed as hourly ratea In UK £, using: Date of last uprating % increase in national currency from 2012/2013 to 2014 Age full minimum wage usually appliesb
    Exchange rates PPPs
    Australiac AUS$16.87 9.37 8.44 Jul-14 3.0 21
    Belgium € 8.67 6.88 7.80 Dec-12 0.0 21
    Canadad C$10.39 5.79 6.29 e 1.5 16
    France € 9.53 7.54 8.57 Jan-14 1.1 18
    Greece €3.52f 2.73 3.82 Feb-12 0.0 25
    Ireland € 8.65 6.84 7.20 Jul-11g 0.0 20
    Japanh JPY780 4.46 5.31 Oct-13 2.0 15/18i
    Netherlands 8.63j 6.83 7.59 Jul-14 1.2 23
    New Zealand NZ$14.25 7.12 7.05 Apr-14 3.6 16
    Portugall € 2.91 2.30 3.33 Oct-14 4.0 16
    Spainl € 3.72 2.94 3.82 Jan-12 0.0 16
    United Kingdom $6.50 6.50 6.50 Oct-14 3.0 21
    United States US$7.25m 4.45 5.63 Jul-09 0.0 20
    Source: British Embassies and High Commissions, Low Pay Commission (LPC) calculations of country minimum wage rates in pounds sterling using exchange rates and PPPs. PPPs derived from Comparative Price Levels (CPLs), OEDC Main Economic Indicators, September 2014. Exchange rates, Bank of England month average spot exchange rates, September 2014.

    Notes:
    a. For countries where the minimum wage is not expressed as an hourly rate, the rate has been converted to an hourly basis assuming a working time of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week and 173.3 hours per month.

    b. Exemptions and special rules apply in many cases. For example, in France and the US the full adult rate applies to young workers with tenure of more than six and more than three months respectively.

    c. The Australian Federal National Minimum Wage Order, effective from first pay period on or after 1 July 2014.
    d. Weighted average of provincial/territorial rates.
    e. Date of last uprating varies between provinces.
    f. Minimum hourly rate for ‘employees’. Different hourly rate operates for ‘blue collar’ workers.
    g. The hourly minimum rate was reduced from €8.65 to €7.65 for adult workers on 1 Feb 2011. That reduction was reversed and the hourly rate went back up to €8.65 on 1 July 2011.

    h. Weighted average of prefectural rates.
    i. Age 15 to receive the regional minimum wage. Age 18 to receive the sectoral minimum wage.
    j. Excludes 8 per cent supplement for holiday pay. Minimum wage based on a 40 hour working week. There are different minimum wage rates for those working a 38 or 36 hour week.

    k. For all employees aged 16 and over, who are not either on the training minimum wage or the starting out minimum wage

    l. Not including annual supplementary pay of two additional months of salary for full-time workers.
    m. Federal minimum wage. Tipped employees receive a lower minimum wage depending on state laws.

  • Lord Brougham and Vaux – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Lord Brougham and Vaux – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Brougham and Vaux on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent food waste.

    Lord Gardiner of Kimble

    Through the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Government is working with food manufacturers and retailers to meet targets to reduce food waste from households and the grocery supply chain under the Courtauld Commitment. There has been a 15% (1.3 million tonnes) reduction in household food waste since 2007 and signatories reported a reduction of 7.4% in food supply chain waste between 2009-2012, with interim results for Courtauld 3 showing further 3.2% reduction by 2014.

    The Love Food Hate Waste programme helps UK households to reduce food waste and save money through awareness raising and consumer advice. There is also an agreement with the hospitality sector with targets to prevent and manage food waste in restaurants, pubs and canteens.

    WRAP is currently brokering a new agreement, Courtauld 2025, which is expected to start next year and will build on this progress.

  • Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government why their health impact assessments relating to reducing and freezing alcohol duties do not refer to consultations with Public Health England and NHS England.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    Treasury Ministers and officials discuss a variety of issues with a range of stakeholder throughout the year, including in the run up to Budget.

    The Government published its assessment of the impacts of the alcohol duty change in the Tax Information and Impact Notes published alongside the March 2015 Budget document. This information is available on the gov.uk website.

  • Lord Berkeley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Berkeley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures the Department for Transport has taken to ensure that the appointment of the Managing Director of ScotRail Alliance to the Network Rail Executive Committee does not give a commercial advantage to Abellio in respect of future franchise bids across the UK.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The Managing Director of the ScotRail Alliance has now also been appointed as Managing Director Scotland within Network Rail and, as part of his new role, will sit on Network Rail’s Executive Committee. He is an employee of Network Rail in both roles, but continues to report to the head of Abellio UK in his capacity of running the ScotRail Alliance only.

    It is for Network Rail and any individual concerned to ensure that no conflicts of interest are allowed to affect the conduct of the company’s business.