Vol.

766
No. 25

Tuesday
24 November 2015

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Answers .....................................................1

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/
Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.
This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet
at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.
Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or
other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister
Baroness Stowell of Beeston
Earl Howe
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Baroness Altmann
Lord Ashton of Hyde
Lord Bates
Lord Bridges of Headley
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen
Earl of Courtown
Lord Dunlop
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
Lord Faulks
Lord Freud
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Lord Keen of Elie
Lord Maude of Horsham
Lord Nash
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Lord ONeill of Gatley
Lord Prior of Brampton
Baroness Shields
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
Baroness Verma
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Viscount Younger of Leckie

Responsibilities
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office and Department for
Transport
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Whip
Minister of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate
Change, Wales Office and Whip
Whip
Whip
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scotland Office
Whip
Minister of State, Ministry of Justice
Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Deputy Chief Whip and Spokesman for Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs
Advocate-General for Scotland
Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Foreign
and Commonwealth Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation
and Skills and Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Commercial Secretary to the Treasury
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture Media and
Sport
Chief Whip
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International
Development
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local
Government
Whip

Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2015

This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/

Written Answers

24 November 2015

Apprentices

Written Answers
Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Agriculture: Research
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majestys Government what steps they
are taking to promote the role of women researchers in
the global agriculture sector. [HL3469]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Government is committed to
developing a strong, diverse research community. The
Research Councils and National Academies share this
commitment.
Government is working with its partner organisations to
promote equality across all research disciplines and has
established a Diversity Steering Group to guide this work.
To improve the diversity of research fellowship awards,
the National Academies are working to encourage more
applications from under-represented groups and to guard
against discrimination in the selection process.
Government has also commissioned the Research
Councils to develop an action plan to improve the
diversity of grant applications and peer-review rates.
As an international example, Government and the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
have jointly funded four research programmes involving
collaborative projects between UK researchers and
partners in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.
All programmes have included research capacity
building in developing countries and have had an
increasing focus on integrating gender into agricultural
research.
The most recent programme, Zoonoses and Emerging
Livestock Systems (ZELS) includes a studentship
programme and of the twelve PhD students who have
been appointed, eight are women.

Airbus SAS
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majestys Government what their policy
is for ensuring that the UK continues to participate
strongly in the design, research, manufacture and
financing of Airbus products. [HL3524]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We work closely with the
aerospace industry, through the Aerospace Growth
Partnership (AGP), to help raise the productivity and
competitiveness of UK supply chain companies at all
levels, includingAirbus at Filton and Broughton and their
UK suppliers. This work includes supporting industrys
research, design, development, manufacturing and
financing of products. A key aim is to help ensure that
UK remains Europes leading aerospace nation by
securing future work with the worlds large aircraft
manufacturers including Airbus.

Page 1

Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

To ask Her Majestys Government how many
students completed apprenticeships in each year from
2010 to the last year for which records are available.
[HL3527]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The table shows the number
of learners that achieved apprenticeships from 2010:
All Age Apprenticeship Framework Achievements (2009/10 to
2014/15)
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Full Year Full Year Full Year Full Year Full Year Full Year
Total

171,500 200,300 258,400 252,900 255,800 260,900

This data is published as part of a Statistical First

Release:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/learnerparticipation-outcomes-and-level-of-highest-qualificationheld
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Statistical First release
[SFR_commentary_November_2015__1_.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questionsanswers-statements/written-question/Lords/2015-11-10/HL3527

Arts and Humanities: Education

Asked by Baroness Afshar
To ask Her Majestys Government what assessment
they have made of the impact of the claim by the
Secretary of State for Education that those studying
solely arts and humanities subjects will be "held back"
on students who are, or are considering, studying those
subjects. [HL3536]
Lord Nash: The government wants all young people to
benefit from a broad and balanced education that equips
them with the knowledge, skills and character they need
to thrive in modern Britain and realise their full potential.
Arts and humanities subjects form part of a broad and
balanced curriculum. Our expectation is that every child
should experience a high quality arts and humanities
education. That is why the national curriculum sets the
expectation that pupils study these subjects in key stages
1 to 3.
At key stage 4, the government wants to increase the
number of pupils who take GCSEs in the EBacc subjects
of English, maths, science, history or geography and a
language. These are the subjects that give young people
the most options in their futures and will help to secure a
place at university or in employment.
As the EBacc is a specific, limited measure consisting
of five subject pillars and up to eight GCSEs, there is time
in the curriculum for most pupils to study other valuable
subjects. The proportion of pupils in state-funded schools
taking at least one GCSE in an arts subject has increased

Page 2

24 November 2015

since the EBacc was first introduced, rising from 46% in

2011 to 50% in 2015.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Asked by Baroness Helic
To ask Her Majestys Government whether they
support the Euro-Atlantic integration process for
Bosnia-Herzegovina, set out in the 2014 UN Security
Council Resolution No. 2183. [HL3593]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government
is a firm advocate of Bosnia and Herzegovinas (BiH)
Euro-Atlantic integration. The UK-Germany initiative,
launched a year ago (and adopted by the EU), was
designed to stimulate reform and energise BiH's EU
perspective. The entry into force of the EU-BiH
Stabilisation and Association Agreement on 1 June 2015
marks an important initial step. On the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation, the Government continues to
encourage BiH to enhance its efforts to meet the
requirements to proceed with its Membership Action
Plan.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Peacekeeping

Operations
Asked by Baroness Helic
To ask Her Majestys Government whether they
proposed the use of the term "Euro-Atlantic integration"
during negotiations for the 2015 UN Security Council
Resolution No. 2247, and which countries opposed the
inclusion of this term in the Resolution. [HL3594]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government
is a firm and active supporter of Bosnia and
Herzegovina's Euro-Atlantic perspective. As negotiations
are confidential, details on members views during these
negotiations cannot be disclosed.

Care Homes: Standards

Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majestys Government how many (1) care
homes, and (2) home care providers, are currently
registered with the Care Quality Commission, and what
were the equivalent numbers for each of the past five
years for which information is available. [HL3561]
Lord Prior of Brampton: The Care Quality
Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of
Health and Adult Social Care in England and is
responsible for the registration and inspection of
providers. The CQC has provided the following
information.
As at 12 November 2015, there are 16,912 care home
locations and 8,392 domiciliary care services registered
with the CQC.

Written Answers

Number of care home and home care agencies

registered at 1 April 2010 and active care home and
domiciliary care service locations since 1 April 2011:
Number of Registered Services / Active Locations
Date

Care Homes

Domiciliary Care
Services

1 April 2010

18,202

5,539

1 April 2011

16,944

5,425

1 April 2012

17,823

6,988

1 April 2013

17,523

7,541

1 April 2014

17,354

7,913

1 April 2015

17,079

8,221

Clinical Commissioning Groups: Conflict of

Interests
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majestys Government what assessment
they have made of the investigation by The Times and
the British Medical Journal into conflicts of interest
caused by Clinical Commissioning Groups entering into
contracts with companies in which one or more of their
board members has a financial interest. [HL3599]
Lord Prior of Brampton: Clinical commissioning
groups (CCGs) have legal duties under the Health and
Social Care Act 2012 to manage conflicts of interests
when deciding which health services to procure. CCGs
must manage any actual or perceived conflicts in a way
that is transparent, fair, and protects the integrity of their
decision making.
NHS England publishes guidance for CCGs on their
responsibility to manage conflicts of interest. CCGs must
have regard to this.
Monitor must ensure that CCGs follow National Health
Service regulations on procurement, patient choice and
competition, and have powers of investigation if these are
not followed.
In their recent report Managing conflicts of interest in
NHS clinical commissioning groups the National Audit
Office (NAO) found that CCGs generally had
arrangements in place to manage conflicts of interest to
reduce the risk of commissioners decisions being
improperly influenced. A copy of the NAOs report is
attached.
The NAO made recommendations to the Department,
NHS England, Monitor and CCGs to strengthen current
arrangements and we would expect the bodies concerned
to consider these carefully and take appropriate action in
response.
Action is already being taken by NHS England
including:
- strengthening its CCG assurance processes;

Written Answers

24 November 2015

- commissioning an independent audit of conflicts of

interest management in ten primary care cocommissioning arrangements, with a review to using the
learning to strengthen current arrangements;
- providing training to CCG lay members on
management of conflicts of interest in 2015, with more
training planned for next year; and,
- reviewing its own internal rules on conflicts of interest
and the statutory guidance it issues to CCGs on
management of conflicts of interest to ensure that
arrangements are robust.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
NAO Report [Managing-conflicts-of-interest-in-NHS-clinicalcommissioning-groups.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questionsanswers-statements/written-question/Lords/2015-11-17/HL3599

Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

To ask Her Majestys Government whether they will
take steps to investigate potential conflicts of interest
when Clinical Commissioning Groups enter into
contracts with companies in which one or more of their
board members has a financial interest. [HL3600]
Lord Prior of Brampton: NHS England is responsible
for ensuring that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs)
are effective and well led, including ensuring that
conflicts of interest are properly managed in such a way
as to ensure they do not undermine the integrity of
commissioning decisions.
To do this, NHS England has developed an assurance
framework for CCGs. CCGs are now required to
complete
a
quarterly
self-certification,
which
askswhether:
- Any potential conflicts of interest have arisen during
the last quarter;
- The public register has been updated; and
- There is a record in each case of how the conflict of
interest has or is planned to be managed.
This certification then forms the basis of an assurance
conversation between the CCG and NHS England.
Work is currently underway to develop the 2016/17
CCG assessment framework and this will maintain the
focus on conflicts of interest.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majestys Government what is their
assessment of the finding by The Times and the
British Medical Journal that the board of a Clinical
Commissioning Group in Birmingham awarded a 1.7
million contract to a company in which a number of its
board members were shareholders or held a senior
position. [HL3601]
Lord Prior of Brampton: We are aware of the reports
in The Times and The British Medical Journal.

Page 3

Birmingham South Central CCG has provided

assurances that it has robust and transparent governance
arrangements in place that are in line with NHS England
guidelines.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of the
investigation
General practice commissioning: in
whose interests? by The Times and the British
Medical Journal, what assessment they have made of
whether the conflict of interest guidelines are fulfilled
by asking board members with a conflict of interest in
an item under discussion during a board meeting to
remain silent or leave the room. [HL3602]
Lord Prior of Brampton: NHS England is responsible
for providing guidance to clinical commissioning groups
on how to manage conflicts of interest.
The current guidance states that:
Where certain members of a decision-making body
have a material interest, they should either be excluded
from relevant parts of meetings, or join in the discussion
but not participate in the decision-making itself (i.e., not
have a vote).The chair of the meeting has responsibility
for deciding whether there is a conflict of interest and the
appropriate course of corresponding action.
NHS England has commenced a review of the Conflicts
of Interest Guidance, as part of a wider governance
project to strengthen conflicts of interest management
across the National Health Service, and this is expected to
be published next year. NHS England will formally
consult with a number of regulators and national partners
in the development of this guidance.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of the
investigation
General practice commissioning: in
whose interests? by The Times and the British Medical
Journal, whether they have plans to require that the
boards of Clinical Commissioning Groups cannot enter
into contracts with companies in which one or more of
their board members has a financial interest. [HL3603]
Lord Prior of Brampton: We do not have any such
plans.
However, in all circumstances a clinical commissioning
group must manage any actual or perceived conflicts in a
way that is transparent, fair, and protects the integrity of
their decision making.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majestys Government what is their
assessment of whether NHS England's audit of conflict
of interest is sufficiently comprehensive to govern
circumstances in which Clinical Commissioning
Groups enter into contracts with companies in which
one or more of their board members has a financial
interest. [HL3604]

Page 4

24 November 2015

Lord Prior of Brampton: NHS England has

commissioned an independent audit of conflicts of
interest management in 10 primary care cocommissioning arrangements. The audit fieldwork
commenced in September 2015, with the final report due
to be shared in January 2016. It is therefore too early to
make an assessment of their findings.
The audit has been asked to examine and evaluate:
- arrangements to manage conflicts of interest;
- audit compliance with the statutory guidance on
managing conflicts of interest and identify any areas of
the guidance which need to be strengthened;
- identify and share good practices in managing
conflicts of interest;
- identify future improvement opportunities; and
- share learning with commissioners in support of their
development.
Each audit includes 360 degree interviews with
representatives from:
- the clinical commissioning group (including the Chair
of the primary care commissioning committee, Audit
Chair, Accountable Officer, Finance Director, Clinical
Chair/GP member of the primary care commissioning
committee);
- NHS England (including the Director of
Commissioning Operations, Head of Primary care and a
Primary care commissioning manager for the locality);
- local Healthwatch;
- local Medical Committees (LMCs);
- Local Authorities; and
- Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs).
The audit also comprises a detailed review of key
governance documentation including:
- registers of interest, declarations of interest and
registers of procurement decisions;
- co-commissioning governance arrangements;
- commissioning contracts that were entered into since
1 April 2015;
- guidance for CCG employees on managing COIs;
- guidance on dealing with breaches and details of any
breaches; and
- minutes of primary care commissioning committee
meetings since 1 April 2015 etc.
Each audit site will receive an individual report,
detailing the findings for their specific arrangement. In
addition, NHS England will receive a consolidated report,
highlighting key themes, examples of good practice and
recommendations to assist in the management of conflicts
of interest.
Key learning from the audit will be shared with
commissioners in January 2016 in support of their
development and the findings will help inform the refresh

Written Answers

of the statutory guidance on managing conflicts of

interest.

European Arrest Warrants

Asked by Lord Vinson
To ask Her Majestys Government, for the last 12month period for which figures are available, how many
applications have been made under the European Arrest
Warrant for prosecution of British nationals overseas,
and of those, how many have been (1) agreed to, and
(2) rejected. [HL3477]
Lord Bates: In the 2014/15 business year the National
Crime Agency (NCA) received 127 European Arrest
Warrants for British citizens. During the same period 40
British citizens were extradited under an EAW.
The number of EAWs for British citizens which
resulted in a discharge by the courts during this same
period is not held centrally.

Facebook
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majestys Government what discussions
they had with Facebook about their recent updates to
make it easier for businesses to interact with customers
on that platform. [HL3471]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Government regularly meets
Facebook, who are part of our Strategic Relationship
Management programme, to discuss a range of issues
across a number of government departments.

Fire Services
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majestys Government what plans they
have to replace fire authorities. [HL3768]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government has
recently consulted on proposals intended to enable greater
emergency services collaboration. This includes proposals
to enable Police and Crime Commissioners, where this is
local support, to take responsibility for fire and rescue
services in their area.
The consultation closed on 23 October and the
Government is currently considering the responses
received.

Food Banks: Greater London

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majestys Government what assessment
they have made of the current foodbank provision in
London. [I] [HL3504]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government does not
hold data on numbers of food banks. We commissioned a
study to look at this issue in 2013. The Review of Food

Written Answers

24 November 2015

Aid in the UK published in February 2014 was a short,

literature based study designed to improve understanding
of food aid provision in the UK, who makes use of it, and
why. It was not a complete assessment of food aid as it
found a variety of types of food aid, with mostly
community-led provision responding to local needs.

Page 5

The table shows the number of offenders with previous

convictions for homicide by offenders convicted of
homicide in 2014.
Year

Number of offenders with

conviction(s) for homicide

previous

2009

2010

2011

14

2012

Health Professions: Regulation

2013

Asked by Baroness Walmsley

2014

Defra does not estimate numbers of households

experiencing food insecurity. There is no single definition
of food insecurity. The factors that impact on household
food security are complex and include economic, social
and environmental issues.

To ask Her Majestys Government what is the

timetable for implementing the comprehensive
legislative reform of health professional regulation to
which they have committed. [HL3559]
Lord Prior of Brampton: This Government is grateful
for the work of the Law Commissions of England and
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in reviewing the
regulation of health and (in England) social care
professionals.
The Law Commissions made 125 recommendations to
reform the existing complex and burdensome regulatory
system. The joint four United Kingdom country response
to the Law Commissions was published on 29 January
2015 which accepted wholly or in part the vast majority
of its recommendations. A copy of the response is
attached.
The Department is currently reviewing how best to take
forward the work of the Law Commissions. We hope to
be able to provide an update on this work soon.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
UK Countries response 29 January 2015 [129 4-UK country
response to Law Commissions report on the regulation of health
and (in England) social care professionals.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questionsanswers-statements/written-question/Lords/2015-11-11/HL3559

Homicide: Reoffenders
Asked by Lord Tebbit
To ask Her Majestys Government how many
offenders with previous convictions for homicide were
convicted of homicide in 2014. [HL3516]
Lord Faulks: A life sentence is mandatory on
conviction for murder and a whole life order starting point
applies to a murder by an offender previously convicted
of murder.

Source: Police National Computer (PNC)

1. All offender figures are based on counting the number of
sentencing occasions for an homicide offence committed by offenders
who were prosecuted by police forces in England and Wales including
the British Transport Police. Offenders who have been convicted on
more than one occasion during the year and across the years will be
represented in the table several times.
2. All previous conviction figures are based on counting the number
of convictions on which offenders have previously been convicted for a
homicide offence recorded on the Police National Computer, including
some offences committed outside of England and Wales.
3. Homicide is defined by the following crimes and may include
different crimes to other published data:
Common Law Murder of persons aged 1 year or over.
Common Law Murder of infants under 1 year of age.
'Common Law.' & 'Offences against the Person Act 1861' S.5;9;10.
Manslaughter
Infanticide Act 1938. InfanticideInfant Life Preservation Act 1929.
Child destruction
Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec.1 ( 1 ). As amended by the Road Traffic
Act 1991 S.1 & CJA 1993 S.67 Causing death by dangerous driving.
Homicide Act 1957, Sec.2. Manslaughter, Diminished Responsibility.
Road Traffic Act 1988 Sect3 A. as added by the RTA 1991 S.3 &
amended by CJA 1993 S.67. Causing death by careless driving when
under the influence of drink or drugs
Cause/allow death of a child or vulnerable person. Domestic
Violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004 S.5
Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving; Road Traffic Act
1988 S.2B as added by Road Safety Act S.20
Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured
drivers; Road Traffic Act 1988 S.3ZB as added by Road Safety Act S.21
Corporate manslaughter / homicide
Theft Act 1968 S.12A as added by the Aggravated Vehicle Taking
Act 1992 S.1 - Aggravated taking where owing to the driving of the
vehicle an accident occurs causing the death of any person

Homicide includes among others, the offences of

murder,
manslaughter,
infanticide,
corporate
manslaughter and causing death by dangerous or careless
driving. See footnote 3 for all types of homicides.

Page 6

24 November 2015

House of Lords Press Office

Asked by Lord Dobbs
To ask the Chairman of Committees how many
people are employed in, and what is the annual running
cost of, the House of Lords Press Office. [HL3466]
Lord Laming: The House of Lords Press and Media
Team has a staff of 3 Full Time Equivalents, and its
estimated total running costs are 195,000 a year (based
on this financial years forecast outturn), including
salaries, pensions, employer National Insurance
contributions and running costs. The Press and Media
Team provides a 24/7 service, including dealing with
urgent media issues overnight and at weekends.
The Press and Media Team promotes the Lords role,
work and membership through the media. This includes
promoting Select Committees work, supporting the
outreach work of the Lord Speaker, responding to media
stories on corporate issues and challenging inaccuracies in
reporting both before and after publication, dealing with
press enquiries and developing relationships with the
press. The team also advises the House of Lords
administration and domestic committees on media
handling as well as contributing to wider Parliamentary
communications work.
The Press and Media Team is part of the House of
Lords Information Office which seeks to increase
understanding of the role, work, membership and
structure of the House of Lords, by means of outreach
work, a public enquiry service, a team developing the
Lords digital presence, and publications such as the
Work of the House of Lords, as well as the Press and
Media Team.

House of Lords: Living Wage

Asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
To ask the Chairman of Committees whether any
staff of the House of Lords are paid less than the
recommended Living Wage for London, and if so, how
many and in which departments they work. [HL3698]
Lord Laming: The House of Lords Administration was
accredited as a London Living Wage employer in
November 2013. We have kept in line with changes to the
Living Wage since. No staff employed by the House
Administration are paid below the London Living Wage.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Asked by Baroness Jolly
To ask Her Majestys Government with how many
Iraqi interpreters the armed forces contracted during
military operations in Iraq in each year between 2003
and 2009. [HL3605]

Written Answers

Earl Howe: The total number of Iraqi interpreters

recruited by the Armed Forces during Military operations
in Iraq from 2003 to 2009 is 1,628. The following table
shows this figure broken down by each year:
Year

No. of Interpreters

2003

347

2004

426

2005

499

2006

209

2007

78

2008

69

2009

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Asked by Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville
To ask Her Majestys Government what
arrangements are in place to ensure that establishments
and organisations that are sited close to the boundaries
of two Local Enterprise Partnership areas do not lose
out on funding because their clientele and services users
come from two different Partnership areas. [HL3485]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Government has given Local
Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) the flexibility they need to
meet the needs of local businesses and maximise growth.
LEPs can and do work together across boundaries when
needed
Ultimately, LEPs are accountable to their local
communities and businesses should consult their LEP if
they feel their interests are not being met

Long Term Unemployed People

Asked by Baroness Redfern
To ask Her Majestys Government what assessment
they have made of the efficacy of their measures to
reduce long-term unemployment, and how many people
previously classified as long-term unemployed have
entered work since 2010, (1) nationally, and (2) in
North Lincolnshire. [HL3511]
Lord Freud: Since 2010 long term unemployment has
fallen by over a quarter of a million in the UK, and since
the Work Programme began in June 2011, it has helped
459,370 long term unemployed people find sustained
work. In North Lincolnshire alone, 1,550 long term
unemployed people have found sustained work through
the Work Programme.
The Department is continuing to modernise the way
Jobcentre Plus delivers its services and has given
responsibility to Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches trusting
them to assess the individual needs of people and offer the
support and advice they think is best to get them back into
work.

Written Answers

24 November 2015

Page 7

Middle East Quartet

Minimum Wage: EU Countries

Asked by Baroness Helic

Asked by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean

To ask Her Majestys Government, further to the

Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 4
November (HL2981), what assessment they have made
of the impact of the Middle East Quartet Representative
on the prospects for peace between Israel and Palestine,
and what they have identified as its successes and
failures. [HL3596]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: As I said in my previous
response of 4 November 2015 (HL2981), the British
Government supports the aims and objectives of the
Quartet, which has an important role in the Middle East
Peace Process through its mandate to mobilise
international assistance to the Palestinians and develop
plans to promote Palestinian economic development.
Asked by Baroness Helic
To ask Her Majestys Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 4
November (HL2982), what were the reasons for the
decision not to appoint a new Middle East Quartet
Representative, and what differences exist between the
mandate of the Middle East Quartet Representative and
the new Head of Mission of the Office of the Quartet.
[HL3597]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The reasons for the
decision not to appoint a new Middle East Quartet
Representative are a matter for the Quartet Principals (UN
Secretary General, US Secretary of State, Foreign
Minister of Russia and High Representative of the EU for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).
The Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR) has
been renamed the Office of the Quartet (OQ). It will be
led by two highly-regarded individuals: Kito de Boer,
who joined in January 2015, will serve as Head of
Mission and Sandra Wijnberg, who joined in July 2014,
will serve as Deputy Head of Mission.
The Head of Mission of the Office of the Quartet (OQ)
is charged with delivering the OQs mandate. The
mandate remains unchanged, and was set out in a June
2015 statement by the Quartet Principals. It is to focus
on economic and institutional development in the
Palestinian Territory, addressing issues related to
strengthening investment in the Palestinian private sector,
rule of law, and movement and access. The OQ shall
work in coordination and complementarity (sic) with
bilateral and multilateral partners that implement
technical assistance programs in the Palestinian Territory.
As such, OQ will play an important role in advancing
tangible steps on the ground to advance the Palestinian
economy, and preserve the possibility of a two state
solution.

To ask Her Majestys Government what is the

minimum wage in sterling in each EU member state.
[HL3548]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: In the Low Pay Commissions
National Minimum Wage Report 2015, Appendix 3
outlines details of 2014 adult minimum wage rates in 12
comparator countries, including EU member states.
Minimum wages vary in level and structure between
countries given the context of their economic and labour
market conditions. These comparisons are broken down in
the table below.
Comparison of Adult Minimum Wage, by Country, End
2014
In national currency expressed as hourly rate a In UK ,
using: Date of last uprating % increase in national
currency from 2012/2013 to 2014 Age full minimum
wage usually appliesb
Exchange rates PPPs
Australiac AUS$16.87 9.37 8.44 Jul-14 3.0 21
Belgium 8.67 6.88 7.80 Dec-12 0.0 21
Canadad C$10.39 5.79 6.29 e 1.5 16
France 9.53 7.54 8.57 Jan-14 1.1 18
Greece 3.52f 2.73 3.82 Feb-12 0.0 25
Ireland 8.65 6.84 7.20 Jul-11g 0.0 20
Japanh JPY780 4.46 5.31 Oct-13 2.0 15/18i
Netherlands 8.63j 6.83 7.59 Jul-14 1.2 23
New Zealand NZ$14.25 7.12 7.05 Apr-14 3.6 16
Portugall 2.91 2.30 3.33 Oct-14 4.0 16
Spainl 3.72 2.94 3.82 Jan-12 0.0 16
United Kingdom $6.50 6.50 6.50 Oct-14 3.0 21
United States US$7.25m 4.45 5.63 Jul-09 0.0 20
Source: British Embassies and High Commissions, Low Pay
Commission (LPC) calculations of country minimum wage rates in
pounds sterling using exchange rates and PPPs. PPPs derived from
Comparative Price Levels (CPLs), OEDC Main Economic Indicators,
September 2014. Exchange rates, Bank of England month average spot
exchange rates, September 2014.
Notes:
a. For countries where the minimum wage is not expressed as an
hourly rate, the rate has been converted to an hourly basis assuming a
working time of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week and 173.3 hours per
month.
b. Exemptions and special rules apply in many cases. For example, in
France and the US the full adult rate applies to young workers with
tenure of more than six and more than three months respectively.
c. The Australian Federal National Minimum Wage Order, effective
from first pay period on or after 1 July 2014.
d. Weighted average of provincial/territorial rates.
e. Date of last uprating varies between provinces.
f. Minimum hourly rate for employees. Different hourly rate
operates for blue collar workers.
g. The hourly minimum rate was reduced from 8.65 to 7.65 for
adult workers on 1 Feb 2011. That reduction was reversed and the
hourly rate went back up to 8.65 on 1 July 2011.

Page 8

24 November 2015

h. Weighted average of prefectural rates.

i. Age 15 to receive the regional minimum wage. Age 18 to receive
the sectoral minimum wage.
j. Excludes 8 per cent supplement for holiday pay. Minimum wage
based on a 40 hour working week. There are different minimum wage
rates for those working a 38 or 36 hour week.
k. For all employees aged 16 and over, who are not either on the
training minimum wage or the starting out minimum wage
l. Not including annual supplementary pay of two additional months
of salary for full-time workers. m. Federal minimum wage. Tipped
employees receive a lower minimum wage depending on state laws.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
NMW Low Pay Commission Report 2015 [National Minumum
Wage Low Pay Commisssion Report 2015.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questionsanswers-statements/written-question/Lords/2015-11-11/HL3548

Mobile Phones
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majestys Government what assessment
they have made of the claim by telecoms company
Ericsson that the UK is lagging behind other countries
in rolling out 5G networks, despite the opening of the
5G Innovation Centre at University of Surrey to
improve mobile networks. [HL3678]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government is committed
to ensuring that Britain seizes the chance to be a world
leader in 5G technology, which it supports through
research and innovation; building on areas of UK
excellence; and creating the right regulatory framework.
The Surrey University 5G Innovation Centre is already
acquiring an international reputation as one of the top
three centres for 5G research globally. It is not alone other UK universities including Bristol, Southampton,
Lancaster, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt and Sheffield are also
conducting world-leading research in areas that are vital
for the implementation of 5G.

Office of the Quartet Representative

Asked by Baroness Helic
To ask Her Majestys Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 4
November (HL2981), what were the grades of each of
the two full-time members of staff seconded by the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Office of the
Quartet Representative from 2007 to 2013. [HL3595]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office seconded two full-time members
of staff to the Office of the Quartet Representative from
2007 until 2013. These consisted of one senior civil
servant from June 2007 until March 2010 and then one
Grade 6 equivalent from March 2010 until June 2013.
This was in addition to one higher executive officer
equivalent from June 2007 until December 2010,
followed by an executive officer equivalent from January

Written Answers

2011 until August 2012, and then an administrative

officer equivalent from September 2012 until June 2013.

Overseas Aid: Renewable Energy

Asked by Lord Donoughue
To ask Her Majestys Government how much was
paid by the Department for International Development
to green energy campaign groups between 2010 and
2015 (1) in the UK, and (2) internationally, both as a
total and as a percentage of the Department for
International Development's development expenditure.
[HL3520]
Earl of Courtown: DFID does not fund any green
energy campaign groups in the UK. DFIDs Programme
Partnership Arrangement (PPA) funding to Civil Society
enables
organisations
to
achieve
international
development outcomes. Some organisations may choose
to use DFID funding for advocacy efforts, including on
climate, within the countries in which they work

Public Transport: Greater Manchester

Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majestys Government when they expect
Transport for Greater Manchester to announce the new
contractor for the smart-ticketing scheme previously
awarded to ATOS, and when they expect such a scheme
to be introduced. [HL3507]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: This is a commercial
matter for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The
Government has no involvement in any negotiations
between TfGM and any prospective new contractors.
The introduction of any smart ticketing scheme will
depend on the progress made by TfGM in appointing any
new contractor.

Refugees
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majestys Government from which
refugee camps the 1,000 refugees who are to be brought
to the UK by Christmas are coming. [HL3558]
Lord Bates: UNHCR identifies and proposes Syrian
refugees for the VPR scheme from among the whole of
the registered refugee population in the region, from
Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt. This includes
people in formal refugee camps, informal settlements and
host communities. This provides refugees with a more
direct and safe route to the UK, rather than risking the
hazardous journey to Europe which has tragically cost so
many lives.

Social Services: Expenditure

Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majestys Government what was the realterm expenditure on local authority-brokered social care

Written Answers

24 November 2015

in each of the last five years for which information is

available. [HL3560]
Lord Prior of Brampton: Based on existing data, the
last five years of adult social care spend (including
transfers from the National Health Service) in real terms
(2014-15 prices) are as follows:
2010-11 17.19 billion
2011-12 16.35 billion
2012-13 15.89 billion
2013-14 15.72 billion
2014-15 15.51 billion
This information is based upon Department for
Communities and Local Government budget data.
The real terms figures (2014-15 prices) for gross spend
on children and young peoples services (including capital
expenditure from revenue), calculated from the
Department for Education section 251 data returns, are:
2010-11 9.92 billion
2011-12 9.12 billion
2012-13 9.20 billion
2013-14 9.12 billion
2014-15 data will be available later in this financial
year.

Tanzania: Elections
Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood
To ask Her Majestys Government what is their
assessment of the elections in Tanzania, particularly
with respect to the devolved assembly in Zanzibar, and
what representations they have made to the government
of Tanzania or the Commonwealth Secretariat
regarding the elections. [HL3619]

Page 9

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We work with regional

and international partners, including all Gulf States, to
tackle the threat posed by terrorist organisations,
including by working to counter terrorist financing. We
urge all international partners to implement UN Security
Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2161 (on Al Qaida
sanctions), UNSCR 2199 (on countering Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) finance) and UNSCR 1373 (on
threats to international peace and security), and work to
further combat the financing of ISIL through the CounterISIL Finance Working Group (Saudi Arabia is the Chair,
Kuwait and Qatar are active members).
The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) is the global
standard setter for anti-money laundering and counter
terrorist financing. Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are
members of the Middle East and North Africa Financial
Action Task Force (the regional grouping of FATF)
which conducts mutual evaluations of its members to
assess compliance with the international standard. A
FATF report on terrorist financing published on 16
November 2015 noted that since 2010, Saudi Arabia had
achieved the highest number of terrorist financing
convictions out of the 33 jurisdictions who had achieved a
conviction.

Turkey: EU Enlargement
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majestys Government what is their
response to the call by the European Commission as
part of the EU enlargement strategy for Turkey to lift
media restrictions to improve respect for human rights
and the rule of law, and to re-start comprehensive peace
negotiations with Kurdish militants and constitutional
nationalists. [HL3643]

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Despite some problems,

the national elections in Tanzania were peaceful and
generally well organised. We have extended our
congratulations to President Magufuli on his victory. We
are however deeply concerned at the decision to nullify
the elections for the Zanzibar Presidency and Parliament.
We have conveyed our concerns to the Government of
Tanzania on a number of occasions including at senior
levels, most recently during a meeting last week between
the Tanzanian High Commissioner to London and the
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for
Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge).

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We welcome the

Commissions EU enlargement strategy, which
commends Turkeys considerable efforts on refugees and
recognises the progress Turkey has made in recent years.
The strategy also highlights where Turkey needs to do
more to meet EU standards through continuing reform,
particularly in the areas of fundamental rights, including
freedom of expression, and rule of law. As we have made
clear, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) needs to cease
its attacks and we fully support a resumption of peace
talks. The UK stands ready to help in any way it can.

Terrorism: Finance

Asked by Lord Pendry

Asked by The Marquess of Lothian

To ask Her Majestys Government what action they
have taken, and what action they plan to take, to put
pressure on Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to cut off
financing for terrorist organisations. [HL3708]

UK Anti-Doping: Finance
To ask Her Majestys Government what assessment
they have made of the continued case for the 25 per
cent proposed budget cuts to UK Anti-Doping in the
light of reports that widespread doping exists in the
world of athletics, and what steps they plan to take in
the light of any assessment. [HL3556]

Page 10

24 November 2015

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The UK Anti-Doping Agency

(UKAD) works tirelessly to promote clean sport and is
highly regarded internationally.
Any decision regarding funding is subject to the
forthcoming Spending Review.

UN Mission in South Sudan

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majestys Government how many UK
troops will be deployed to the UN Mission in Sudan
and South Sudan; what is the timeline for their
deployment; and what will be the distribution of their
roles and responsibilities. [HL3581]

Written Answers

Earl Howe: At the UN General Assembly in

September, the Prime Minister offered increased UK
military support to UN peacekeeping activity in Africa.
This offer includes episodic deployment of up to three
hundred personnel to conduct key tasks to support the UN
Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Indicative tasks
might include engineering, combat and advisory support.
Planning is in hand now, in consultation with the UN, to
determine the precise requirements and how we may best
respond. We expect to deploy the first troops in mid2016. We currently have three personnel deployed to
UNMISS; two at the Force Headquarters in the capital,
Juba, and one at Malakal, in the north of the country. UK
has no plans to deploy troops to the UN (and African
Union) Missions in Sudan.

Index to Answers
Written Answers ..................................................... 1
Agriculture: Research ........................................... 1
Airbus SAS ........................................................... 1
Apprentices ........................................................... 1
Arts and Humanities: Education ........................... 1
Bosnia and Herzegovina ....................................... 2
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Peacekeeping
Operations ............................................................ 2
Care Homes: Standards ........................................ 2
Clinical Commissioning Groups: Conflict of
Interests ................................................................ 2
European Arrest Warrants .................................... 4
Facebook .............................................................. 4
Fire Services ......................................................... 4
Food Banks: Greater London ............................... 4
Health Professions: Regulation ............................ 5
Homicide: Reoffenders ......................................... 5
House of Lords Press Office................................. 6
House of Lords: Living Wage .............................. 6
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations ............................. 6
Local Enterprise Partnerships ............................... 6
Long Term Unemployed People .......................... 6
Middle East Quartet .............................................. 7
Minimum Wage: EU Countries ............................ 7
Mobile Phones ...................................................... 8
Office of the Quartet Representative .................... 8
Overseas Aid: Renewable Energy ........................ 8
Public Transport: Greater Manchester.................. 8
Refugees ............................................................... 8
Social Services: Expenditure ................................ 8
Tanzania: Elections .............................................. 9
Terrorism: Finance ............................................... 9
Turkey: EU Enlargement ...................................... 9
UK Anti-Doping: Finance .................................... 9
UN Mission in South Sudan ............................... 10