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  • Lord Chidgey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Lord Chidgey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Chidgey on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to discuss with the European Commission the effect of the deadlines placed on the ratification of trade agreements with developing countries where such deadlines could undermine the normal functioning of parliamentary engagement of these ratification processes.

    Lord Price

    EU Regulation 1528/2007 of 20 December 2007 states that ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific partners should take place “within a reasonable period of time.” UK officials are in regular contact with the European Commission about the EPAs and we do not expect Regulation 1528/2007 to undermine the normal functioning of parliamentary engagement in the ratification processes for these agreements.

  • Lord Chidgey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Lord Chidgey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Chidgey on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the normal functioning of parliamentary ratification processes in developing countries of the EU bringing forward the deadlines for ratification of EU Economic Partnership Agreements.

    Lord Price

    The EU has not brought forward the deadlines for ratification of Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) partners. EU Regulation 1528/2007 of 20 December 2007 states that ratification of the agreements should take place “within a reasonable period of time.” I expect the parliamentary ratification processes in developing countries to function as normal in relation to these agreements.

  • Lord Chidgey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Lord Chidgey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Chidgey on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effects of any inconsistencies in deadlines for the ratification of concluded and signed EU trade agreements established by the European Commission under the auspices of Economic Partnership Agreements.

    Lord Price

    I am not aware of inconsistencies in deadlines for the ratification of Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific partners. EU Regulation 1528/2007 of 20 December 2007 states that ratification of the agreements should take place “within a reasonable period of time.”

  • The Lord Bishop of Bristol – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The Lord Bishop of Bristol – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Lord Bishop of Bristol on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the need to regulate or license the private drone market in the UK.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    Commercial drone operations already require permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Operators must satisfy the CAA that they can operate safely and are aware of all relevant legislation. Last year the CAA granted approximately 1100 permissions for light-weight, low risk operations. There are charges for new permissions and processing renewals.

    There are also existing regulations in place that require users of drones to maintain direct, unaided visual contact with their vehicle and to not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property. Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has been provided to constabularies across the UK.

    The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent, EU-wide safety rules for drones. We have also completed a series of public dialogues ahead of a public consultation which will help to inform a government strategy to be published this year. The consultation will look at a range of options including regulation, registration and licensing options, and the potential for restrictions on purchase and use.

  • Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will encourage the flying of the White Ensign from public and private buildings to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Jutland on 31 May.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe

    Any organisation may fly any flag at any time so long as they have the necessary planning permission. Public and Private buildings are free to fly the White Ensign to commemorate the Battle of Jutland if they wish.

  • Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the flying of the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day on 3 September will be added to the list of mandatory days for flag flying in the UK.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe

    The designated days for flying the Union Flag on Government buildings have been specifically set to mark special occasions by command of Her Majesty the Queen and on the advice of Government. Any additions or changes must be discussed with the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. There are currently no plans to change the list.

    However, as flag flying is deregulated, any organisation may fly any flag at any time, so long as they have the necessary planning permission, therefore anyone may fly the Red Ensign on this day if they wish.

  • Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what published authority the Union Flag was established as the national flag of the UK and declared as such; when this was done; where the national flag’s constitutional status is laid down; and what assessment they have made of whether that constitutes an appropriate formal and constitutional declaration of that flag’s status.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe

    The first Union Flag was created in 1606 after the Union of the Crown of England and Wales with the Crown of Scotland, by combining the Cross of St George with the Cross of St Andrew. It was established by Royal Proclamation, and adopted primarily as a flag to be used at sea.

    The Union Flag in the form we now know dates from 1801 following the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland. The Union with Ireland Act provided that the flag “of the Union” should be such as His Majesty should appoint by proclamation. A Royal Proclamation of George III dated 1 January 1801 declared the design of the flag to be as it currently is.

  • Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether children in schools are taught about the national flag, its history and development, and which way up to fly it.

    Lord Nash

    The Government believes that all young people should, as part of a broad and balanced education, acquire a firm grasp of the history of the country in which they live. That is why the history curriculum for key stages 1 to 3, which has been taught in maintained schools from September 2014, sets out the core knowledge that will enable pupils to know and understand the history of Britain from its first settlers to the development of the institutions that help to define our national life today.

    Schools have the freedom to teach subjects beyond the content of the national curriculum, which may include teaching about the national flag.

  • Lord Watson of Richmond – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Watson of Richmond – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Watson of Richmond on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how seriously they view the warnings from the IMF and the Bank of England of the detrimental impact on both the UK and the global economy if the UK withdraws from the EU.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    On 13 April 2016, HM Treasury published its analysis of the long-term economic impact of EU membership and the alternatives. It concluded that the UK would be permanently poorer if it left the EU. The document also notes that a UK exit from the EU would be likely to have a significant negative effect on the economy in the short term. A subsequent government document will examine in detail the short-term economic implications associated with leaving the EU.

  • Baroness Tonge – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Tonge – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel in the light of the dawn raid on a currency exchange shop in Ramallah.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    No representations have been made to the Government of Israel on this issue.