The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2016-04-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect negotiations between the EU and the US will conclude a new EU–US Trade Agreement.
Lord Price
The twelfth round of negotiations for the EU-US Free Trade Agreement – also known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) – took place in February. We are making progress and our ambition remains to reach a political agreement during the Obama presidency.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2016-07-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have been advised by the government of Ireland that it intends to represent the people of Scotland at meetings of the European Council.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government of Ireland has not advised Her Majesty’s Government that it intends to represent the people of Scotland at meetings of the European Council.
The United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union until it leaves and as such will continue to represent the whole of the UK in the European Council.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2016-10-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the proposed trade deal between the EU and Canada.
Lord Price
The Government has been clear in its support for the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This approach is in line with our commitment to back the EU’s trade agenda and participate constructively in decision-making on trade while the UK remains a member of the EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2015-10-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to amend the Climate Change Act 2008 to alleviate the costs of power for large energy users in the United Kingdom.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Climate Change Act does not impose specific costs on large energy users in and of itself. Instead, the Act sets up a long term target to reduce emissions across the whole economy. It is for the Government to decide the cost effective way of meeting that target and Government is mindful of the impact of policies on energy intensive users.
For energy intensive sectors, voluntary Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) allow 90% reduction from the Climate Change Levy (CCL) for electricity in return for signing up to stretching energy efficiency improvement targets agreed with Government. Metallurgical and mineralogical sectors have been exempt from paying the CCL since April 2014. In addition, the Government has paid over £131m in compensation to eligible energy intensive industries, for the indirect impacts of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and Carbon Price Support mechanism on their electricity prices. Further relief measures are currently being considered by the European Commission.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2015-10-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when and where the Mobile Infrastructure Project will be rolled out in Northern Ireland.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Mobile Infrastructure Project is being rolled out in Northern Ireland up to the end of March 2016.
There are currently 7 masts in build phase. These are located in:
• Derry and Strabane District
• Fermanagh and Omagh (2 sites)
• Lisburn and Castlereagh
• Mid Ulster (3 sites)
Planning permission was received for 4 sites. These sites are located in:
• Mid Ulster (3 sites)
• Newry, Mourne and Down
Planning applications were submitted but decisions awaiting for 5 other sites. These are located in:
• Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon
• Derry and Strabane District
• Fermanagh and Omagh (2 sites)
• Mid Ulster
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2015-10-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what circumstances value added tax can be applied to school uniforms.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
Children’s clothing, including a school uniform, is VAT zero-rated if it is designed for young children and is of a size that would fit the average child aged under 14 years. Larger sizes of clothing are standard rated irrespective of the age of the wearer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2014-04-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims for hearing loss they have received from former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
Lord Astor of Hever
Claims for damages brought against the Ministry of Defence are not recorded in a manner that enables the specific regiment or unit of a claimant to be identified without incurring disproportionate cost. 10,148 such claims have been received in the last six years from current and former Service personnel serving in Northern Ireland. Around 7,500 such claims have been successful to date, and the total value of compensation paid as a result has been around £62.3 million.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2014-04-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they accept claims for hearing loss from former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who served before 1986; and if not, why not.
Lord Astor of Hever
Section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 prevented service personnel, including former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, from suing the Crown for alleged negligence which occurred before that section was repealed in 1987. The repeal was not retrospective. Depending on their level of hearing loss, they may, however, be eligible for a War Disablement Pension.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2014-04-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the value of the compensation paid to former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who have made claims for hearing loss; and how many successful claims there have been to date.
Lord Astor of Hever
Claims for damages brought against the Ministry of Defence are not recorded in a manner that enables the specific regiment or unit of a claimant to be identified without incurring disproportionate cost. 10,148 such claims have been received in the last six years from current and former Service personnel serving in Northern Ireland. Around 7,500 such claims have been successful to date, and the total value of compensation paid as a result has been around £62.3 million.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2014-06-05.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have held talks with the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Justice Minister about the forthcoming parading season in Northern Ireland; when any such meetings occurred; and who was present at those meetings.
Baroness Randerson
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland met the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Chair of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland and the Minister for Justice for Northern Ireland on Wednesday, 14 May 2014.
Also in attendance at this meeting were senior officials from the Northern Ireland Office and Department of Justice along with members of the PSNI Service Executive Team and the Secretariat of the Parades Commission.
This meeting provided participants with an opportunity to exchange general views on the parading season in Northern Ireland. No decisions were taken at this meeting and there were no discussions about operational matters relating to specific parades.