Tag: Lord Blencathra

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2016-05-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have collected on the number of racoon dogs in the UK; whether they have any plans to ban the ownership of racoon dogs outside licensed zoos; and what action they plan to take to exterminate any in the wild.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble

No data is collected on the number of raccoon dogs in the UK.

There are currently no plans to ban the ownership of this species inside or outside licensed zoos.

It is currently an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release a raccoon dog, or allow one to escape, into the wild. If an animal were to escape it would first be the responsibility of the owner to recapture the animal. If, however, there was a threat that the species were to become established in the wild, action would be undertaken to capture and remove the animals in accordance with a draft rapid response protocol currently being prepared as part of the GB non-native species strategy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2016-07-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports have, since 2006, (1) commented on the state of the UK economy; (2) commented on the state of the UK economy and have been shown to be erroneous; and (3) made comments on the state of the UK economy that the IMF have had to revise or retract due to the inaccuracy of the forecast.

Lord O’Neill of Gatley

The information requested in relation to the evaluation of comments and forecasts about the UK could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF produce a report evaluating the forecasts of the organisation and the most recent one was published in 2014.

The UK economy is assessed by the IMF on an annual basis as part of the Article IV process. The IMF also produce quarterly forecasts for the UK economy in their World Economic Outlook (WEO) reports and WEO Updates.

Article IV reports and World Economic Outlooks and Updates are readily available on the IMF website and include recent revisions to forecasts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2016-09-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they have put in place to ensure that there is proper routine and emergency veterinary treatment for government cats, and any other officially owned animals in government service.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Individuals in each government department are responsible for the care of cats and any other animals residing in their buildings. We are mindful of our duties under the Animal Welfare Act, and this includes the provision of routine and emergency veterinary treatment. While no care or food costs for any animals in government buildings are funded by the public purse, these animals are supported and cared for thanks to voluntary fundraising.

I also refer my noble friend to the answer to him of 16 September 2016 to Question 1605.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2016-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 16 September (HL1576), what is their assessment of the proportionality of a requirement for detailed knowledge of clinical English for a consultant employed within the NHS.

Lord Prior of Brampton

The Department has made no assessment of the proportionality of a requirement for detailed knowledge of clinical English for a consultant employed within the National Health Service.

NHS employers are expected to ensure that any doctors seeking employment in the NHS have the skills needed to carry out their job safely and competently, including the appropriate level of English language.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of doctors in the United Kingdom. Without a licence to practise from the GMC, a doctor cannot practise in the UK. Any doctor who cannot provide sufficient evidence to the GMC that they have the English language skills needed to practise safely in the UK will not be given a licence to practise.

The GMC also has powers to take fitness to practise action where concerns are raised around a doctor’s language competence who is practising in the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what range of sanctions is available to use against British Jihadists returning to the United Kingdom after fighting in Syria and Iraq; and whether they will encourage the police to use them.

Lord Bates

People seeking to travel to engage in terrorist activity in Syria or Iraq should be in no doubt we will take the strongest possible action to protect our national security. If they return to the UK they should expect to be subject to a police investigation. Whether a prosecution for an offence can be pursued in individual cases is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, which received Royal Assent on 12 February 2015, has added to existing powers by disrupting the ability of people to travel abroad to engage in terrorism-related activity and controlling their return to the UK; enhancing our ability to monitor and control the actions of those in the UK who pose a threat; and combating the underlying ideology that feeds, supports and sanctions terrorism.

In addition, the Government has powers under the Immigration Act 2014 to deprive persons of their British citizenship if such a deprivation is deemed ‘conducive to the public good’, for instance if a person has been involved in threats to national security, war crimes, serious and organised crime or unacceptable behaviours such as glorification of terrorism. Deprivation of British citizenship results in simultaneous loss of the right of abode in the United Kingdom. Once deprived, an individual becomes subject to immigration powers and can be deported or removed from the UK

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to the removal of the passports of British Jihadists who have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq, in order to prevent their return to the United Kingdom.

Lord Bates

The Government has long-standing powers under the Immigration Act 2014 to deprive persons of their British citizenship if such deprivation is deemed ‘conducive to the public good’, for instance if a person has been involved in threats to national security, war crimes, serious and organised crime or unacceptable behaviours such as glorification of terrorism.

Deprivation of British citizenship results in simultaneous loss of the right of abode in the United Kingdom. Once deprived, an individual becomes subject to immigration powers and can be deported or removed from the UK or prevented from returning to the UK if deprivation action occurs whilst they are abroad.

In addition under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the Home Secretary may impose a temporary exclusion order on a British citizen suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activity outside the UK. The individual’s passport would be cancelled, but the individual may return to the UK in accordance with a permit to return.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace since 1995 in relation to the promotion of diesel engine cars.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

There have been numerous contacts between government departments and both Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth since 1995. The information on representations made is not readily available and it would be disproportionate to fully retrieve it.

I can however confirm that in the last month representations to more than one government department have been made by the organisations raising concerns regarding the possible promotion of diesel engine cars.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a British fuel efficiency test for all motor vehicles sold in the United Kingdom which exactly simulates real driving conditions and which does not use a rolling road nor overinflated tyres.

Viscount Younger of Leckie

We will continue to work with the EU to produce testing that more accurately reflects real world driving conditions. The current laboratory test – the New European Test Procedure – is expected to be replaced in 2017 with a new test – the World Light duty Test Procedure – that will more closely replicate the design of modern vehicles and the way they are driven.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2015-10-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Church of England following the letter sent to the Prime Minister by 86 bishops on 10 September about the Church providing funds to meet all additional costs of increasing the number of refugees taken into the United Kingdom; and what assessment they have made of the further support the Church of England can provide to meet the needs of refugees in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bates

On 10 September 2015 a letter signed by 37 Bishops was sent to the Prime Minister. This letter set out how the Church stands ready to play their part but also how they believe the country could resettle more than 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

The Home Office wants to involve the Church in the design and implementation of the longer term programme of work. We are happy to have meetings with representatives from the Church to discuss the issues raised in the Bishops letter. Some of these meetings have already taken place with more planned over the next few weeks.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2015-10-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost, in the first year, of accepting Syrian refugees.

Lord Bates

The first 12 months of each refugee’s resettlement costs will be funded using ODA (Official Development Assistance). After year one we will also provide additional funding to assist with costs incurred in future years.

The anticipated cost for the first year is still being worked out between relevant Government departments and local authorities. We expect to agree indicative costings in the near future.

There are a range of factors that have to be included when it comes to bringing people to the UK and helping them to settle. Each person coming from Syria will have different needs so it is not possible to say how much the support for any individual will cost.