Tag: Lord Eames

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2015-12-07.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, briefed Peers and MPs on the Northern Ireland political agreement prior to her statement to the House of Commons on 19 November and whether all, or any, Northern Ireland-based Members of both Houses were invited to attend.

Lord Dunlop

There was no briefing for Peers or MP’s prior to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s Statement to the House of Commons on Thursday 19 November.

An invitation to the briefing on the Northern Ireland (Welfare Reform) Bill held on Monday 23 November was circulated electronically to all Peers via the Usual Channels.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider publishing the papers on legacy issues shared by the parties during the recent Stormont House discussions.

Lord Dunlop

The UK Government is committed to establishing the legacy bodies set out in the Stormont House Agreement. We are considering whether further drafting or documentation should be published as part of an engagement process on how to move forward on this issue.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the removal of toxic waste left after conflict, in particular in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Earl Howe

The Ministry of Defence has a legal obligation to comply with UK and EU legislation on environmental protection. A policy statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon) in August 2014, ‘Health, Safety and Environmental Protection in Defence’ (HS&EP), states that "overseas we apply our UK arrangements where reasonably practicable and, in addition, respond to host nations’ relevant HS&EP expectations." This policy statement can be accessed at the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secretary-of-states-policy-statement-on-safety-health-environmental-protection-and-sustainable-development

UK forces overseas operate under NATO regulations and therefore must also comply with ‘STANAG 7141 – Joint NATO Doctrine for Environmental Protection During NATO-led Military Activities’, which sets out the environmental planning guidelines for military activities.

Following withdrawal from both the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, clean up of hazardous materials was carried out as far as practicable in accordance with relevant legislation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2016-09-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the significance of the possible changes in the status of the land border between the UK and the Republic of Ireland for commercial life in Northern Ireland.

Lord Dunlop

The open border for people and businesses has served us well and no-one wants to see a return to the borders of the past. There is a strong will – within this Government, among the Northern Ireland parties and in the Irish Government – to preserve the common travel area and to ensure we get the right deal for trade in goods and services with the European Union. We must now focus on securing a deal that is in the interest of both of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2016-09-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland on a special arrangement for the land border between the EU and the UK as a result of Brexit.

Lord Bridges of Headley

There has been a range of engagement with the Irish Government, including a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach in London on the 26 July and meetings between the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and Irish Ministers in Dublin on 8 September. We have had a Common Travel Area between the UK and the Republic of Ireland many years before either country was a member of the European Union. There is a strong will in the UK Government, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to preserve it, and it remains our intention to do so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2016-09-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent the Northern Ireland Executive will be involved in any proposals to alter the status of the land border between the UK and the EU.

Lord Dunlop

As the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have made clear, in putting into effect the decision of the people of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union the Government wants to ensure that the unique interests of Northern Ireland are protected. This is particularly the case in relation to the land border with the Republic of Ireland. In so doing we will engage fully with the Northern Ireland Executive.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2016-09-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or intend to have, with the Confederation of British Industry on the consequences of any future alteration in the status of the land border between the UK and the EU.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union met with CBI NI as part of the inaugural meeting of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s business advisory group on 1 September. The group is a platform for businesses across Northern Ireland to provide high level advice to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and NIO ministers on critical business and economic issues.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to encourage the devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland to consider the effect on them of an affirmative vote in the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire

The Government has no such plans. The Government has been clear that it is the Government for all of the United Kingdom including Scotland. It continues to act in the interests of all of the people of the UK, including people in Scotland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current numerical strength of the UK Border Force; and whether they consider that the present strength is sufficient to meet the demands placed upon it.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Border Force has a full time equivalent workforce of 7,907 and we believe this is sufficient to meet demand.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the criteria for applicants to the UK Border Force.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Applicants applying for permanent positions with Border Force are required to meet a range of eligibility criteria, depending upon the role and grade. This may include nationality, age, driving licence, academic achievements for the grade and previous experience.

The criteria for the key posts of Border Force Officer and Assistant Officer was formally reviewed in 2012. The requirement to hold a driving licence underwent an internal policy equality review in 2013.