Tag: Lord Kennedy of Southwark

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-05-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the case for removing the Lesser Duty Rule.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

The Government believes that effective trade defence measures should be proportionate, not protectionist, and strike a balance between removing the injury to producers caused by unfair trade, and avoiding imposing unnecessary costs on user industries, retailers, consumers and the rest of the economy.

The evidence we have shows that duties that have been imposed under the Lesser Duty Rule on imports of Chinese steel into the EU have been effective in delivering rapid, substantial and sustained reductions in imports. For example, imports of wire rod, organic coated steel and stainless steel flat products are down by more than 90%. We have said we would look at evidence that others might provide.

There are a number of examples where the Lesser Duty Rule has avoided unnecessary costs to the rest of the economy. In the case of solar panels for example, the removal of the Lesser Duty Rule could have cost the downstream UK solar sector around £500m in one year.

We support looking at the methodology under which injury is calculated. Where the European Commission has set duties that we believe to be too low to remove the injury caused to EU industry by unfair trade, we will push for them to be increased, as we have done in the reinforcing bar and cold rolled flat products cases.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-09-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

​The British Government’s view is that the human rights situation in Zimbabwe has worsened in recent weeks. We have been particularly concerned by police violence in response to recent protests and demonstrations. As set out in the EU Statement of 30 August, the freedom to demonstrate and present petitions is enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution, along with other fundamental human rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly and association.

This Government made a 2015 manifesto commitment to stand up for the rule of law and human rights in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe remains one of the 30 UK Human Rights Priority Countries, where we monitor and report regularly on human rights and support programmes designed to make abuses less likely. We regularly call, both bilaterally and in partnership with others, for an end to human rights abuses and the restoration of internationally accepted standards.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the fire risk posed by e-cigarettes and what discussion they have had with the LGA, London Councils and the leaders of Fire Authorities in England about this risk.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

We recognise e-cigarettes are an emerging technology and have taken action with the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, the then Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and with Electrical Safety First to develop appropriate fire safety messages for consumers.

These were promoted through the Fire Kills campaign, and continue to be made available on Electrical Safety First’s website – http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/e-cigarettes/.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-11-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the changes there have been to structures on the River Thames in the last 10 years.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

Town Planning is the responsibility of London’s boroughs, with a strategic role for the Mayor of London. In this capacity the Mayor has produced a London View Management Framework, which seeks to protect London’s most important views, including along the Thames, from inappropriate development. The Government intends, through the Housing and Planning Bill, to devolve further powers to the Mayor of London over safeguarded wharves and protected vistas to enable him to better manage development on the Thames. Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government retains call in powers, which he can use to prevent development that would harm any of the three World Heritage Sites that are adjacent to the Thames.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to bring the law on abortion in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

Lord Dunlop

Constitutionally, abortion law in Northern Ireland is a transferred matter, and is therefore the responsibility of Northern Ireland Executive Ministers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-12-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of car parking charges and their effect on the high street.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

We are committed to supporting our high streets and effective parking management is essential for businesses to survive and grow.

Local authorities should be making it easier to park by looking to reduce the cost of parking in local authority owned car parks, and working with private sector providers to ensure they are providing a competitive offer that makes people want to visit high streets and town centres. This provides the best support to local shops, local jobs and tourism by increasing footfall.

The Government has brought forward a range of measures to help motorists, including banning CCTV ‘spy cars’, introducing 10 minutes grace periods and a new guidance to challenge parking policies.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-01-12.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to devise a written policy for the development, integration and use of military unmanned systems.

Earl Howe

The Ministry of Defence is currently seeking to articulate in one policy document the considerations for future UK capability requirements, development, integration and use of unmanned systems.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-03-07.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what effect the tribunal charge is having on claims before industrial tribunals, with particular reference to discrimination and equal pay claims.

Lord Faulks

On 11 June we announced the start of the post-implementation review of the introduction of fees in the Employment Tribunals. This review will consider, so far as is possible, the impact the fees have had on those with protected characteristics who use the Employment Tribunals and the types of case they bring.

The review will report in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-28.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 23 February (HL6149), whether they plan to correct the Department for Communities and Local Government press release of 9 October 2015 from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Mr Brandon Lewis, on higher earning tenants.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

The press notice was issued in support of the Pay to Stay consultation, and the figures used are consistent with the Written Answer of 23 February 2016. Whilst the policy position has developed since the consultation closed, this does not require an update of the earlier press notice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-05-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to devolve Airline Passenger Duty to the Welsh Assembly or Welsh Government.

Lord O’Neill of Gatley

The government is considering the case and options for devolving APD to the Welsh Assembly, informed by a review of options to support English regional airports from the potential impacts of APD devolution. At Summer Budget 2015, the government published a discussion paper exploring three options and is carefully considering the responses. An announcement will be made in due course.