The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-03-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of blue badges for disabled drivers held by people in England and Wales in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, and (3) 2015.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The estimated total number of Blue Badges held in England and Wales for 2013, 2014 and 2015 were:
2013: 2,776,000
2014: 2,663,000
2015: 2,597,000
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-05-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem as outlined by the Belfast Agreement 1998 applies to those who march on the streets of Northern Ireland in army uniforms but are not members of the army, in the same ways as to members of the recognised security forces.
Lord Dunlop
This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as placing a general obligation on the UK Government to treat people of different traditions in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect. In the Agreement it is clearly expressed and defined in relation to people living in Northern Ireland.
As a general obligation there is no definition of particular circumstances in which it does or does not apply.
As I have set out in previous replies to the Noble Lord, this Government is firm in its commitment to the protection of people against any form of discrimination, and the promotion of opportunity for all, across the whole of our United Kingdom.
In respect of the Noble Lord’s question about those who might march wearing army uniforms but who are not members of an army, the concept of parity of esteem clearly does not absolve people from upholding the law. This Government has made clear many times that we will never accept any form of equivalence between members of the security forces and those who engage in terrorism or other forms of paramilitary activity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-10-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem, as outlined in the Belfast Agreement 1998, applies to (1) members of the armed forces who served in Northern Ireland but reside in another part of the UK, (2) members of terrorist organisations who were active in Northern Ireland and reside there, and (3) members of terrorist organisations who were active in Northern Ireland but reside in the Republic of Ireland.
Lord Dunlop
This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as placing a general obligation on the UK Government to govern in the interests of the whole community and to treat people of different traditions fairly and with equal respect. In the Agreement it is clearly expressed and defined in relation to people living in Northern Ireland. As a general obligation there is no definition of particular circumstances in which it does or does not apply.
The concept of parity of esteem does not absolve people from upholding the law: terrorism was wholly wrong. This Government will never accept any form of equivalence between members of the armed forces who upheld democracy and the rule of law and those who engage in terrorism or other forms of paramilitary activity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-10-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or are having, with the government of Libya about compensation for people killed or wounded by explosives and guns supplied to the IRA by that country, in a manner similar to compensation for the victims of the Lockerbie bombing, and when those discussions will be completed.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The last significant discussion with the Libyan government on the resolution of legacy issues was in June 2014, when the then National Security Adviser, Sir Kim Darroch, visited Libya.
The subsequent violence and political instability in Libya, which resulted in the closure of our Embassy in Tripoli in August 2014, effectively stalled further discussions with the authorities. Under the current circumstances we need to be realistic about what the Libyan authorities can deliver, but we remain determined to make progress. Once stability returns, and our Embassy re-opens, we will again encourage the Libyan authorities to engage with UK victims and their legal representatives seeking redress, including those seeking compensation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what non-disclosure agreements the Cabinet Office made in 2003–04, and on what date each agreement was made.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The information requested can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they record nationality and immigration status on social security benefit claimant records; and if so, whether that information is collated, and whether they will publish it broken down by nationality, status and country of origin.
Lord Freud
Nationality and immigration status are not recorded on social security benefit claimant records in a form that allows for collation.
For contributory benefits, nationality is not a qualifying factor, as eligibility is determined by the National Insurance contributions that the claimant has made. As such, this information is not available. For other income related benefits where residency conditions apply and the claimant must be lawfully resident in the UK, nationality is a factor. Once residency has been determined, nationality is not required for further processing and is therefore not routinely held on DWP computer systems in a form that allows for collation.
There are currently no plans to change how data is collected to allow for collation or publication.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are responsible for any aspects of the finance and operation of the two universities in Northern Ireland, and if not, who is.
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
Higher Education policy is devolved. The Department for Employment and Learning of the Northern Ireland Executive is the department responsible for Higher Education Institutions in Northern Ireland. This includes responsibility for providing funding to their HEIs for teaching and for recurrent research (also known as Quality Related research funding). In addition, the UK Government provides funding through the Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ Science & Research Budget for Research Councils, which are reserved bodies, and to the National Academies. The Research Councils provide funding for specific projects and programmes of research on a competitive basis open to universities across the United Kingdom, including those in Northern Ireland. Similarly, academics from universities across the UK can bid for funding from the National Academies.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-27.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 27 January (HL5017) concerning equality and parity of esteem, whether terrorists and members of the security forces who reside outside Northern Ireland do not have parity of esteem with those who reside there.
Lord Dunlop
The Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the 1998 Belfast Agreement and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Leader of the House, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 9 February (HL5480), what discussion she has had with the Northern Ireland Office about answering parliamentary written questions in full.
Baroness Stowell of Beeston
As Leader of the House, I regularly stress to departments the importance of giving full and timely answers to Questions for Written Answer. The content of each answer is a matter for the Minister concerned, and each Minister is responsible to the House for the answers they provide. That direct accountability is important: that is why Ministers in this House must provide personally signed answers to members.
The Ministerial Code says that “It is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament”. It also makes clear that “Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and the public, refusing to provide information only when disclosure would not be in the public interest”. In addition, there is a longstanding rule of this House that all answers should be complete and comprehensible. I shall continue to make this guidance clear to all Ministers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-03-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what criteria they define a serious crime as opposed to other crimes.
Lord Faulks
Various definitions of serious crime are used in different contexts. Sections 2, 2A and 3 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Serious Crime Act 2007 define ‘involved in serious crime’ for the purposes of Part I of that Act, which relates to serious crime prevention orders. Section 81 (2) and (3) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 defines ‘serious crime’ for the purposes of that Act.