The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-03-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to release files held by the Cabinet Office on the activities of Anthony Blunt and other files on the intelligence services due for release now being sought by historical researchers, in accordance with their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Public Records Act 1958.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The files will be released in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-10-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to amending section 29 of the Commons Act 1876 to ensure that a parish council which erects a bus shelter on a village green is not liable to prosecution.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Town or village greens are an intrinsic part of the English community and from their earliest use have been a place where communities come together, celebrate fairs and festivals and take part in sporting and social activities. The Commons Registration Act 1965 provided for town or village greens to be registered and to secure permanent protection.
Town or village greens are protected under section 12 of the Inclosure Act 1857 or section 29 of the Commons Act 1876 which means that works may not be carried out which could damage the green or interrupt its use as a place for exercise and enjoyment.. The Government has no plans to amend section 29 of the Commons Act 1876 but a Parish Council may carry out works where they would improve the enjoyment of the green and have received any other necessary planning permissions from the local planning authority.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 8 December (HL4345), and in the light of recent electoral statistics from the ONS regarding the 40 per cent decrease in the proportion of 16 and 17 year-old attainers registered to vote, whether they will now issue special guidance to Electoral Registration Officers in Great Britain reminding them of their powers to work with schools and colleges to register young people to vote in the same way that the Northern Ireland Chief Electoral Officer does.
Lord Bridges of Headley
Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are fully aware of their powers and their duties and their performance is monitored by the independent Electoral Commission. The Cabinet Office periodically reminds EROs of democratic engagement resources, including those specifically aimed at young people, which are available to them. The Government has no plans to issue special guidance along the lines suggested.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-10-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the total amount of land that has been disposed of by schools which have sold their playing fields since 2010.
Lord Nash
Local authorities and schools must by law seek consent from the Secretary of State to dispose of playing field land. The department has a strong policy presumption against the disposal of school playing fields and only provides consent to dispose of playing field land if the criteria set out in the departmental guidance are met; which includes an expectation that proceeds from sales are reinvested in sports and education facilities. The department publishes a list of department decisions on applications for consent to dispose of school playing field land.
It would neither be practical or desirable to artificially curb the sale of school playing fields, when such disposals may represent the most effective use of public assets. Often changes are made to education provision, such as school closures or mergers, which mean it is no longer necessary to retain playing fields for school use. In such cases it is only right that local communities are able to benefit from space that otherwise would not be used. Converting surplus or unwanted assets to invest in school grounds has benefits that extend far beyond the school gates. No operating school has disposed of its entire playing field.
It is therefore right that schools should continue to determine what is suitable for their individual circumstances; subject to strong statutory protections including the Secretary of State’s consent and the application of rigorous criteria for what is best for pupils’ education and wider school and community life.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the comment by the Paymaster General, Matthew Hancock MP, reported in The Daily Telegraph on 15 February, whether the Cabinet Office has allocated money to pay for Acts of Parliament to continue to be printed on vellum; if so, whether an offer so to pay has been made to the parliamentary authorities; and if such an offer has been made, in what terms that offer was made.
Lord Bridges of Headley
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement by my Hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General on 20 April 2016. This is available at: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-04-20/debates/584554e7-fb8f-44d6-8df0-8b3af8476d1e/CommonsChamber
As my Hon Friend made clear during the debate the printing of Acts onto vellum is a matter for Parliament. The Government is keen to work with the House authorities to explore all avenues for continuing to print on vellum [in line with the will of the House of Commons.]
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-10-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether sales of school playing fields are increasing; and if so, whether they will take steps to curb such sales.
Lord Nash
Local authorities and schools must by law seek consent from the Secretary of State to dispose of playing field land. The department has a strong policy presumption against the disposal of school playing fields and only provides consent to dispose of playing field land if the criteria set out in the departmental guidance are met; which includes an expectation that proceeds from sales are reinvested in sports and education facilities. The department publishes a list of department decisions on applications for consent to dispose of school playing field land.
It would neither be practical or desirable to artificially curb the sale of school playing fields, when such disposals may represent the most effective use of public assets. Often changes are made to education provision, such as school closures or mergers, which mean it is no longer necessary to retain playing fields for school use. In such cases it is only right that local communities are able to benefit from space that otherwise would not be used. Converting surplus or unwanted assets to invest in school grounds has benefits that extend far beyond the school gates. No operating school has disposed of its entire playing field.
It is therefore right that schools should continue to determine what is suitable for their individual circumstances; subject to strong statutory protections including the Secretary of State’s consent and the application of rigorous criteria for what is best for pupils’ education and wider school and community life.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Chairman of Committees what are the implications of the vote in the House of Commons on 20 April in favour of retaining vellum for the printing of record copies of public Acts of Parliament.
Lord Laming
The House Committee considered this matter at its meeting on 3 May. The Committee agreed that, in response to the letter from the Clerk of the House of Commons about the debate, I should write to the Chairman of the House of Commons Administration Committee in the following terms:
“I am writing further to the backbench debate on printing record copies of public Acts of Parliament on vellum. I have consulted the House of Lords House Committee in preparing this reply.
As you know, this House agreed in 1999 to move to printing Acts of Parliament on archival paper instead of vellum. We are persuaded that printing on archival paper is a more appropriate use of public funds, and that the case for continuing to print on vellum is not made.
If, in the light of the debate, the House of Commons wishes to arrange a contract for printing record copies of public Acts on vellum then the House of Lords Administration will gladly share experience of managing the legacy contract to assist you in making any such arrangements. I am sure you will appreciate that this House does not wish to contribute financially to any future printing on vellum. It is also important that we ensure the longevity of any public Acts, as the Clerk of the Parliaments must certify a record copy of them.
Perhaps at our next regular meeting it would be possible for us to discuss some of the points made in the debate. I am, as ever, grateful to you for all your help in this matter.”
I wrote accordingly on 4 May.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-05-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Acts of Parliament have been passed since 2010; and how many of those have not been implemented.
Lord Bridges of Headley
212 Government and non-Government Bills have been passed by the United Kingdom Parliament since 2010. The Government monitors implementation of its policy commitments rather than individual legislative measures.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2015-11-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that local electoral registration offices in England and Wales work closely with schools, as has been done in Northern Ireland, to increase the number of young people registered to vote.
Lord Bridges of Headley
Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) in Great Britain already work with their local schools and colleges to identify and register young people.
In a report before the start of the current canvass of electors in Great Britain, the Electoral Commission called on all EROs to update their local public engagement strategies for the canvass. The Commission noted that strategies should reflect the activity EROs intended to carry out to target under-registered groups, such as attainers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lexden on 2016-05-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their planned legislation to enfranchise British citizens resident abroad for over 15 years will be introduced in the current Session.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government is committed to removing the 15 year time limit on the voting rights of British citizens living overseas, and will bring forward a Bill to make a permanent change on overseas voting rights as soon as Parliamentary time allows.