The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-01-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what the relationship is of the political cabinet” to the Cabinet.”
Lord Bridges of Headley
Paragraph 4.8 of the Cabinet Manual sets out that political Cabinets are convened by the Prime Minister, but they are not attended by officials. Sensitive papers, such as those covered by the Official Secrets Act 1989, are not distributed to political Cabinets.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-06-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Sovereign is subject to legislation originating in the EU.
Lord Bridges of Headley
In relation to UK law civil and criminal proceedings cannot be taken against the Sovereign as a person under UK law.
Under EU law, EU Heads of State enjoy a special status, in accordance with generally accepted principles of international law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-02-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which minister or ministers have direct responsibility for the affairs of the British overseas territory of Anguilla.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The British Government has a broad responsibility for the security and good governance of all British Overseas Territories, including Anguilla. The 2012 White Paper set out the principle that all UK Government departments have responsibility for supporting the Territories in their areas of expertise and competence. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office takes a coordinating role, led by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge) and the Minister of State at the Department for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest West (Desmond Swayne).
Anguilla has its own Constitution (1982) under which it has a democratically elected government which is responsible for most domestic matters. The Governor retains special responsibility for external affairs, defence, internal security and the appointment, discipline and removal of public servants.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-07-06.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 27 June (HL657), whether the special status” enjoyed by the Sovereign is granted by EU law.”
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen
The European Court of Justice has held that EU law must be interpreted in the light of the relevant rules of international law and that, as such, under EU law Heads of State enjoy a special status (different from that of all other Union citizens).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-03-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 2 March (HL6363), whether they have the power to make regulations requiring origin marking of dairy products without the consent of the EU.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
We have consistently pushed within Europe for improved origin labelling on all food and these efforts have resulted in strong requirements for meat and meat products in the Food Information Regulations EU 1169/2011. We will continue to seek even stronger origin requirements for dairy products, to ensure that where the dairy ingredient of cheese, butter and cream is different from the place of manufacture this is clearly declared on the label.
Where there are harmonised measures, domestic legislation normally takes into account the principles of mutual recognition to prevent deliberate trade barriers between Member States.
The UK food industry recognises that country of origin information is important to British consumers and in 2011 industry developed and committed to a set of voluntary principles for clearer country of origin labelling. The proposed EU implementing act will strengthen the voluntary principles and improve the quality and consistency of origin information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-07-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their position that leaving the EU is in the British national interest.
Lord Bridges of Headley
We will make a success out of leaving the European Union. We will protect and strengthen the national interest.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-03-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any (1) minister, (2) official, or (3) ministerial special adviser, have played any part in the drafting of letters subsequently signed by retired military officers or business people and published in national newspapers in the last year.
Lord Bridges of Headley
In carrying out government business, Ministers, officials and special advisers must abide by their respective Codes of Conduct.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-09-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Ragwort Control Act 2003 in preventing the spread of ragwort.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The effectiveness of this Act is assessed annually by recording details of complaints and enforcement cases. Research undertaken for Defra in 2013 concluded that ragwort is not becoming more widespread.
The Ragwort Control Act 2003 contains provision for a Code of Practice for the management and control of ragwort.
Common ragwort is one of the five, so called ‘injurious weeds’ and is toxic to grazing livestock including horses, so the priority is to protect them where there is a risk of them ingesting dead, dying or green ragwort. The Government recognises the impact that ragwort ingestion can have and we ask that landowners take all reasonable steps to ensure that ragwort does not spread from their land onto adjoining land, where it poses a risk to grazing livestock, land used for grazing or to produce hay/forage. Where complaints are received and there is a genuine risk to grazing livestock then action to ensure compliance is taken with private individuals or public bodies.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-03-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any (1) minister, (2) official, or (3) ministerial special adviser, importuned any persons to sign letters concerning the European Referendum or the consequences of a national vote for leaving the EU in national newspapers; and if so, (a) how many were importuned, (b) how many signed, and (c) how many declined to do so.
Lord Bridges of Headley
I refer the Noble Lord to the Prime Minister’s oral response to the Hon Member for Mid Bedfordshire on 22 February 2016: Column 32.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-03-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 16 March (HL6672), whether the respective Codes of Conduct for (1) ministers, (2) officials, and (3) special advisers, allow them to draft letters to be signed by retired military officers or business people and then published in national newspapers.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The respective Codes of Conduct for Ministers, officials and special advisers make clear the role of these individuals in developing and implementing Government policies.