Tag: Lord Kennedy of Southwark

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the viability of biodiesel made from waste products in comparison to biodiesel made from virgin products.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) provides double rewards for biofuels derived from wastes.

The Department concluded a post-implementation review of the RTFO in April 2014. Evidence from the review indicates that double rewards for biofuels from wastes, which were introduced under the RTFO in 2011, have encouraged a strong market for biodiesel from used cooking oil in the UK.

Since the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) was established waste based biofuels have risen from 12% of total biofuel supply in the first year of the obligation 2008/09, to 50% according to the data for 2014/15 (Biofuels Statistics obligation year 7 2014/15 – Report 5).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-12-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the size of the Farming Recovery Fund, and how much has been paid to farmers to date.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Farmers affected by the recent flooding in Northern England will be able to apply for between £500 and £20,000 to cover the cost of work to restore damaged agricultural land.

The scheme is due to open for applications on 18 December and we will pay out on all eligible claims.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-12-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans to they have to assess the effectiveness of the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011 after it comes into force in Wales on 1 January 2016.

Lord Bates

Responsibility for Building Regulations in Wales, including fire safety provisions, is a devolved matter and the Government has no plans to assess the effectiveness of this measure, which is a matter for the Welsh Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-02-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord O’Neill of Gatley on 12 February (HL5642), how they describe the recent settlement of the payment of tax by Google if not as a special arrangement”.”

Lord O’Neill of Gatley

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) collects the tax due under the law. It does not enter into special arrangements with taxpayers. In accordance with its published guidelines on resolving disputes, HMRC has taxed all of Google’s profits chargeable to tax in the UK for the period in question at the full statutory rate of tax.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to boost the co-operative housing sector in England.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

We recognise the significant role Housing Co-Operatives can play in delivering locally led housing development. The Government continues to be supportive of Housing Co-Operatives, because we want to see communities more in control of decisions that affect them. The March Budget confirmed £60 million a year from additional receipts from higher stamp duty rates on additional residential properties will be redirected into rural and coastal areas for community supported housing.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Chairman of Committees how many staff in the House of Lords are employed on zero-hours contracts.

Lord Laming

The House of Lords does not employ any staff on zero-hours contracts on an exclusive basis. It employs 28 staff on zero-hours contracts in the Catering and Retail Services department, primarily for banqueting events. These are roles where staffing demands vary significantly week to week and are often unpredictable. The House also employs 22 freelance Hansard reporters. In order to meet overnight publication deadlines for Grand Committee debates, Hansard needs to supplement its permanent team with temporary reporters

Zero-hours staff employed by the House of Lords are free to turn down shifts offered by the House. They have equivalent employment rights to full-time staff including pension and holiday pay entitlements, which are better than those of most agency staff. All staff in the House of Lords, including those on these contracts, are paid at least the London Living Wage.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey concerning that government’s response to the attempted coup d’état in July.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The UK Government has unreservedly condemned the failed attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government of Turkey on 15 July. Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary spoke to their Turkish counterparts on the day following the coup attempt. The Minister for Europe and the Americas visited Turkey on 20-21 July to reiterate the UK’s support for democracy in Turkey, the first Minister to do so following the coup attempt. During his visit he stressed the need for Turkey to respect human rights and the rule of law, and the importance of taking measures under the State of Emergency that are proportionate and justified. The Foreign Secretary met his Turkish counterpart on 7 September in London.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to encourage local government, where possible, to use biodiesel made from waste food products.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation has supported a strong market for sustainable biodiesel made from wastes through double rewards, and benefits all economic players with an interest in encouraging the use of sustainable biodiesel.

In addition buses that run on biodiesel are eligible for the Bus Service Operators Grant. Operators receive 34.57pence per litre of biodiesel used on their bus routes.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of the land in England is open access land, and what plans they have to increase that amount.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 there is a right of access for open-air recreation on foot to 2,137,756 acres of land which are mapped as open country and registered common land. This is about 6.5% of the total area of England.

Section 16 of the Act enables the owner, or a person with a long-leasehold, of any land to voluntarily dedicate open access rights over that land. To date, 384,419 acres of land have been dedicated, mostly by the Forestry Commission.

Natural England is aiming to dedicate all 224 of the national nature reserves and similar holdings it owns, or land held on a lease of at least 90 years. Natural England has dedicated 31,876 acres of national nature reserves with a further 2,915 acres becoming accessible on 7 February 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they are giving to producers of biodiesel made from waste products.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) provides double rewards for biofuels derived from wastes.

The Department concluded a post-implementation review of the RTFO in April 2014. Evidence from the review indicates that double rewards for biofuels from wastes, which were introduced under the RTFO in 2011, have encouraged a strong market for biodiesel from used cooking oil in the UK.

Since the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) was established waste based biofuels have risen from 12% of total biofuel supply in the first year of the obligation 2008/09, to 50% according to the data for 2014/15 (Biofuels Statistics obligation year 7 2014/15 – Report 5).