Tag: Lord Beecham

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2015-11-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia concerning the death sentence imposed on the Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The British Government is aware of, and concerned about, the case of Mr Ashraf Fayadh. We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, especially in cases which include the use of the death penalty for a crime which isn’t deemed “the most serious”. We take every opportunity to make the Saudi Arabian authorities aware of our views.

The Government is a strong supporter of freedom of expression around the world. We believe that people must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, challenge their governments peacefully; exercise the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and speak out against violations of human rights, wherever they occur.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-01-27.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the annual cost of the Probate Registry and the yield from fee income.

Lord Faulks

The cost of the Probate Registry in 2014/15 was £42.5m and the yield from fee income (after remission) was £41.5m.

The costs relate to probate for “non-contentious” cases, that is where the Will is not in dispute.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-05-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the fact that the Sentencing Council’s fine calculator does not reflect the new victim surcharge fees for offences committed on or after 8 April, does not permit rounding for fines or victim surcharges, and allows fines to be imposed outside Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines, what steps they plan to take to make changes to the calculation method, and to confirm that the Ambay Software Sentencing Guidelines App complies fully with those guidelines.

Lord Faulks

The Sentencing Council has launched a new fines calculator, which is freely available on its website to assist magistrates when imposing fines. This takes account of the changes to the surcharge introduced on 8 April and enables calculations for multiple fines and rounding where appropriate. The calculator is a tool to assist sentencers and is not intended to replace the role of the court in determining the appropriate sentence in line with any relevant sentencing guidelines. Courts can only depart from sentencing guidelines if it is in the interests of justice to do so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-10-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 19 September (HL1467), how much they will pay Ecorys for the production of their report evaluating the Troubled Families Programme; and whether that fee will be reduced in the light of the reported problems with methodology and the consequent delay in the completion and publication of that report.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

The evaluation, published on 17 October, comprises several different strands including longitudinal case studies in twenty local authorities, in-depth longitudinal research with families, a face-to-face survey of over 800 families, an impact study using national administrative datasets, the development of a cost savings calculator for local authorities, and a local monitoring system for all local authorities to record family problems. The total value of these strands amount to £1.16 Million (0.2 per cent of the total programme budget).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many special advisers were employed on 1 November 2009, and at what total annual cost, and what were the figures on 1 November for each year thereafter.

Lord Bridges of Headley

Information on the number and cost of special advisers for 2009 and subsequent years is available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2015 will be published shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-01-28.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have labelled the national minimum wage of £7.20 an hour as the national living wage” when it falls below the UK Living Wage and London Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation.”

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

The National Living Wage will come into force on 1 April 2016. We estimate that a full-time National Minimum Wage worker will earn over £4,400 more by 2020 from the National Living Wage in cash terms.

This Government is committed to improving living standards, particularly for the low paid. Guided by a proportion of median earnings which leading experts recommend, the National Living Wage recognizes the balance needed of an affordable rate for businesses with achieving a significant increase in minimum pay.

The Low Pay Commission will continue to make recommendations on the appropriate rate for the National Living Wage going forward, to make sure that wages rise to reward workers while considering the impact on the economy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-05-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in accordance with the advice of the Senior Presiding Judge and the Sentencing Council, it is permissible for magistrates to use their own technology in court, and what assessment they have made of whether consistent advice is being given in all magistrates’ courts about that issue.

Lord Faulks

HM Courts and Tribunals Service has provided secure bench devices to enable magistrates to view sensitive case information, and other material, digitally in court. Magistrates may use their own equipment to access public and non-sensitive material in accordance with guidance issued by the Senior Presiding Judge.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-10-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made enquiries of, or representations to, the government of Syria in relation to its claim that the passport of Zaina Erhaim produced at Heathrow on her arrival in the UK had been stolen.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have made no enquiries of, or representations to, the Syrian regime on this matter. The UK Government has no contact with the Asad regime due to the atrocities it has committed against the Syrian people.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many families with household incomes (1) over £50,000, and (2) over £100,000, per annum they estimate will benefit from free childcare and at what cost.

Lord Nash

The Spending Review announced the largest ever investment in free childcare which will give working families the help they need. From September 2017 we are introducing 30 hours of free childcare a week for the working parents of three- and four-year olds, alongside the existing universal early education entitlement.

We have introduced an income cap so that, when at least one parent has an income of £100,000 or more, that family will not be eligible to take up the extra free 15 hours. This means that the extra 15 hours of childcare are therefore focused on those working families that most need help with their childcare costs.

We do not hold information on the household income of the families entitled to free childcare.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2016-02-01.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to minimise the risk to aircraft from the use of drones, and whether those steps include a system of registration of ownership.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Drones are becoming increasingly popular and have the potential to bring significant economic benefits, but it is vital that they are operated safely, in a way that does not put members of the public and other aircraft at risk. There are 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. Work is underway to better understand the level of risk posed by flying drones close to commercial planes. We are talking to both the Civil Aviation Authority and airports to find technical solutions to the problems around airport, these include mandated geo-fencing or frequency jammers.

The department is leading efforts with international bodies to develop a stringent regulatory framework focusing on safety. We are currently undertaking 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 a database to increase transparency on the use of drones for the general public.

The Civil Aviation Authority is undertaking activities to raise awareness of the basic safety requirements, including an ongoing ‘Dronecode’ safety awareness campaign, issuing safety leaflets at the point of sale, publishing an animated video on their website, and running ‘small UAS’ Risk and Hazard workshops with industry as part of the Mid Air Collision Programme.