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20 Oct 2011 : Column WA91
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA91
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA91
Thursday 20 October 2011
Banking: Iceland
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 20 July (WA 298), what are the duties of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme that require it to continue contacting depositors in failed Icelandic banks with a view to repaying their unclaimed assets; when they suggest that the practice should stop; and what are the net and gross figures for repayment costs to compensated depositors to date, and what are the outstanding liabilities.[HL12422]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): It is for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme to determine how frequently and for how long it contacts depositors in failed banks.
Details of compensation paid to depositors are included in HM Treasury's accounts, which can be found online at the following link: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/annual_report_accountsl40711.pdf.
Banks: Lending
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Question Time on 12 October, how are they "forcing the banks to lend".[HL12367]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): On 12 October, the Prime Minister, at Prime Minister's Question Time, said: "we shall certainly keep the pressure on the banks".
On 9 February 2011, the Chancellor announced a new commitment by the UK's biggest high street banks on lending expectations and capacity. As part of this commitment, the banks will make available appropriate capital and resources to support £190 billion of new credit to businesses in 2011, up from £179 billion in 2010. If demand exceeds this, the banks will lend more, including creating the balance sheet capacity necessary to do so. £76 billion of this lending capacity will be available to small and medium-sized enterprises. This is a 15 per cent increase on 2010 lending of £66 billion.
Half way through the year, the banks are broadly on track to meet their commitment. This progress is encouraging but the Government are clear that they will use all of the tools available to them to ensure that the banks live up to their promises.
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Climate Change
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are consulting the responsible United Nations technical agencies about plans to initiate geo-engineering climate-related field experiments in the atmosphere, ocean and on land, such as the Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council or distributing iron particles in the ocean funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.[HL12292]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): The Government are making no such consultation. Research should be consistent with any international agreements entered into by the UK.
The Natural Environment Research Council has not directly funded field experiments to place iron or other particles in the ocean since 2004 and future experiments are subject to regulation under the London Convention/London Protocol. We are only aware of one plan to conduct experiments in the UK relating to climate-related geo-engineering and that is part of the Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council, with support from the Science and Technology Facilities Council. As this is small scale and will not involve spraying anything into the atmosphere other than a small amount of water, this is not considered to be geo-engineering according to the definition laid out by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. A stage-gate advisory panel has been set up to ensure the project progresses safely and responsibly. Thus we believe SPICE will not contravene any international agreements.
Cyclists: Accidents
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Atlee on 4 October (WA 206), and in the light of the 7 per cent rise in cyclist deaths in 2010, what change to the number of cyclist deaths they estimate will occur due to the introduction of longer heavy goods vehicles; and what is the estimated annual cost of (a) the change in the number of fatalities, and (b) the change in the number of accidents.[HL12268]
Earl Attlee: The Government have just published their response to the consultation on the use of longer semi-trailers, including a revised impact assessment which takes account of additional information provided in the course of the consultation. The impact assessment does not disaggregate the fatality risk between different categories of road user.
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA93
The revised impact assessment indicates that the trial of these vehicles should result in a marginal reduction in accidents and fatalities, and the associated costs.
Economy
Question
Asked by Lord Janner of Braunstone
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on local economies of significant redundancies made by local authorities. [HL12307]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was formed in May 2010 to make an independent assessment of the public finances and the economy. It does not publish forecasts on a sub-national level.
The next forecast of economic growth will be in the OBR's Economic and Fiscal Outlook Autumn 2011 which will be published on 29 November 2011.
Economy: Growth
Question
Asked by Lord Janner of Braunstone
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to promote economic growth in the East Midlands.[HL12309]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): Returning the UK economy to sustainable economic growth that is more balanced across the UK and sectors is a key priority. At the 2011 Budget, the Government took steps to encourage investment and exports as a route to a more balanced economy: support for new capital investment, support for inward investment, the promotion of exports and increasing green investment.
The Government are undertaking a range of measures to boost growth across the UK. For example, in the East Midlands specifically:
three enterprise zones have been approved which aim to create over 13,000 jobs in the East Midlands by 2015; andthree bids have been approved in round 1 of the Regional Growth Fund, which aim to create 1,730 direct jobs and 3,140 indirect jobs.There are many other measures which aim to boost growth in the East Midlands. More details on these can be found online at: http://www.hm-treasury. gov.uk/2011budget_east_midlands.htm.
EU: Imports and Exports
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with European Union partners to relax rules of origin in order to encourage imports from Africa.[HL12215]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): The Government have consistently argued for greater flexibility in the application of rules of origin in order to make it easier for exports from developing countries to qualify for duty-free access to the European Union.
We welcome the introduction from 1 January 2011 of new, simpler and more development-friendly rules of origin for the generalised system of preferences (GSP) and, in particular, for the everything but arms (EBA) scheme that offers duty-free quota-free access for LDCs. They grant better access to preferential treatment offered by the EU, expand possibilities of cumulation, and offer specific treatment to LDCs for the first time.
In particular, it is hoped that the new flexibility will stimulate cross-border trade in Africa and the growth of regional value chains.
The Government are also committed in the trade and investment for growth White Paper [CM8015] to press for the new rules to be promptly included in all ratified Economic Partnership Agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
EU: Renewable Energy
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their planning and assessment of renewable energy investments and operations are co-ordinated with other countries in Europe and with the European Commission.[HL12247]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): All member states are required under the renewable energy directive 2009 to produce a National Renewable Energy Action Plan setting out proposed actions to meet their share of the 2020 renewable energy target and interim targets to 2020. The UK's action plan was submitted in July 2010 and published on the European Commission's Transparency Platform, together with those of other member states.
Member states are required to produce progress reports every two years to update on their progress towards meeting their renewables targets. The next progress reports are due to be submitted at the end of this year and will be published and analysed by the Commission.
Progress is also discussed by member states in a concerted action network of the renewable energy sources directive (CA-RES), which supports the achievement of national renewable energy targets under the directive and provides a forum to discuss common issues.
Finance: Investors
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 3 October (WA 163) concerning the Financial Services Authority
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA95
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has not attempted to identify any United Kingdom investors affected who were not identified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
In the event of funds becoming available for repatriation, the FSA's standard approach will be to consider what steps to trace customers would be reasonable, effective and efficient. Previous examples have included advertisements in newspapers and circulars.
Health: Cancer
Questions
Asked by Lord Evans of Watford
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of savings made by, and the cost of reforms to, the National Health Service on the number of clinical nurse specialist roles in areas such as treatment of prostate cancer.[HL12339]
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will ensure that cancer services do not suffer reduced levels of expenditure during proposed reforms of the National Health Service, particularly given cost pressures on the National Health Service.[HL12340]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe):Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, published on 12 January, sets out how the reforms of health and care services will drive improvements in cancer outcomes and improve the quality and efficiency of cancer services. The strategy is backed by over £750 million of additional funding over the next four years and the NHS Operating Framework 2011-12 states that the National Health Service should support its introduction.
In the outcomes framework, cancer is identified as a specific improvement area for preventing people from dying prematurely, and in the strategy we have set out an ambition to save 5,000 additional lives from 2014-15. The funding we have provided is available to deliver improved survival rates, and that is what the NHS will be held to account for delivering. Annual reports will be published to measure progress on implementation and on improving cancer outcomes and we are planning to publish the first report this winter.
The 2010 Cancer Patient Experience Survey shows that cancer patients who have support from clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) have an overall better experience of care. We expect the NHS to consider this in developing its policies to improve patient experience. To support the NHS to develop the CNS workforce, the strategy sets out our intention to build the evidence base for the benefits and costs savings that CNSs can offer. This follows an independent report we published in December 2010 that showed that, in many scenarios, the costs of additional support roles are likely to be outweighed by the savings that can be achieved.
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA96
Higher Education: Mathematical Sciences
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was their response to the letter from the Department of Mathematics of the University of Cambridge, dated 20 September, and headed "the future of the Mathematical Sciences in the UK".[HL12334]
Baroness Verma: I will arrange for a copy of the Government's reply to be placed in the Library of the House.
Higher Education: Tuition Fees
Question
Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average tuition fee charged by British universities to (a) students from the United Kingdom, and (b) students from other European Union countries.[HL12445]
Baroness Verma: The latest information on the tuition fees that higher education providers in England are intending to charge new entrants in the 2012-13 academic year was published by the Office of Fair Access on the 12 July 2011. Its current estimate of the average tuition fee charged in public institutions, after fee waivers, is £8,161. The data do not separate out students from the United Kingdom and students from other European Union countries.
The department does not hold information on average fees charged by higher education providers in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
House of Lords: Mobile Phones
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask the Chairman of Committees whether he will consider placing notices at all entrances to the Chamber reminding Members and visitors to switch off their mobile phones before entering.[HL12569]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): I do not have any plans to install such signs. Earlier this year the House agreed to the Administration and Works Committee's report on the use of electronic devices in the House. This report made it clear that electronic devices must be silent in the Chamber, and the updated guidance will be included in the next editions of the Companion and the Handbook on Facilities and Services for Members. I suggest that adherence to this guidance is a matter for the House as a whole. Visitors are always reminded by the Doorkeepers to turn off their mobile phones before they enter the Public Galleries or sit below Bar.
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA97
News International Ltd
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether payments made by News International to alleged victims of unauthorised hacking and their associates, including legal advisers, will, all other factors being equal, lead to lower corporation tax payments by News International.[HL12290]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): For reasons of taxpayer confidentiality, HM Revenue and Customs is not able to comment on the tax affairs of specific taxpayers.
Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of all the correspondence which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has had with the Northern Ireland Office concerning the reorganisation of the commission's staff.[HL12236]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: Correspondence between the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has not been released as it may prejudice the outcome of a number of ongoing employment tribunal cases.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord De Mauley on 3 October (WA 133), whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission sought advice from the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the reorganisation of senior posts; and whether the Northern Ireland Office gave the commission advice about whether it could proceed with redundancies outside the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.[HL12237]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: As previously stated in the Answer given by the Lord De Mauley on 3 October (Official Report, col. WA 133), the organisational structure of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an operational matter for the commission. Although not required, the commission's director discussed progress with officials before taking independent legal advice on redundancy arrangements and seeking Cabinet Office approval to implement the redundancy scheme within the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
Railways: Procurement
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether officials at the Department for Transport telephoned employees of the preferred bidder in the Thameslink rolling stock contract at least eight times on the day before the formal preferred bidder decision announcement, when the actual decision had already been taken; and, if so, why.[HL12443]
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA98
Earl Attlee: Officials at the Department for Transport did telephone employees of the preferred bidder of the Thameslink rolling stock project contract eight times on 15 June 2011. Complete lists of the telephone contact made by officials to Siemens plc on 15 and 16 June have recently been published on the Department for Transport website in response to freedom of information request 00008097.
The calls were made to clarify the communication procedures that would follow should they be awarded preferred bidder status.
Railways: Rolling Stock
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether offers by transport authorities to fund and own passenger rolling stock will be included as acceptable in a new passenger franchise tender process.[HL12491]
Earl Attlee: Wherever practicable, the choice of rolling stock is a matter for the franchised train operator. Local transport authorities have owned rolling stock that is operated by franchisees. This should remain an option for future franchises depending on the individual circumstances.
Severe Winter Weather
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions Ministers have had with Network Rail and the train operating companies on dealing with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures this winter.[HL12345]
Earl Attlee: Ministers and officials have regular meetings with the rail industry, both at national and operator level. These discussions cover a wide range of performance-related issues, including preparations and contingency planning for severe winter weather.
Network Rail and the train operators have implemented a wide range of measures to take account of lessons learnt from the last two winters, including the installation of heating on the third rail at critical points on the commuter network south of the Thames, the provision of additional de-icing trains, snow ploughs and other specialist vehicles and equipment, and improvements to contingency timetables and communications.
Taxation
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are studying whether a financial transaction tax could have beneficial effects through slowing down the rate of transactions and thereby making financial systems more stable, and through lowering the risks of large and potentially damaging speculation. [HL12252]
20 Oct 2011 : Column WA99
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): As part of the documentation published alongside its recent proposal for an EU financial transaction tax, the EU Commission has published an associated impact assessment. This notes that "studies that better identify transaction cost effects seem to find more often a positive relationship between transactions costs and volatility". The full impact assessment and associated documents are available from the EU Commission at: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/other_taxes/financial_sector/index_en.htm.
In addition, in March of this year, the International Monetary Fund published a working paper on the issues and evidence associated with financial transaction taxes. This concluded that there is no convincing evidence that securities transaction taxes lower short-term price volatility, and indeed that several studies find a positive relationship between transaction costs and volatility. A full copy of the working paper is available at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1154.pdf.
The Commission's impact assessment also states that any potential specific risk from high-frequency trading will be addressed in the revision of the markets in financial instruments directive. The Government, alongside the Financial Services Authority, are working with European partners to ensure that the ongoing review of the markets in financial instruments directive and the market abuse directive takes into account recent technological developments in financial markets.
In support of these reforms, the Treasury is sponsoring a major research project conducted by the Government Office for Science. It is examining the implications of computerised trading for financial markets. On 7 September, the project published a working paper and 16 supporting driver reviews. These are available at www.foresight.gov.uk.
Vehicles: Semi-trailers
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether subcontractors appointed to monitor the results of the trial of longer semi-trailers will not be people previously engaged in justifying the trial or contractors who have close associations with the road haulage industry.[HL12329]
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Earl Attlee: The Government will commission an independent evaluation of the operational performance of longer semi-trailers. One of the requirements of the tendering exercise is that bidders should not have been involved in previous work for the Department for Transport on the longer semi-trailer issue.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether foreign-registered trailers will be included in the trial of longer semi-trailers.[HL12330]
Earl Attlee: The trial of longer-semi trailers involves domestic transport operations only.
Wales: Traffic Commissioner
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had any discussions with Welsh Ministers on the establishment of a traffic commissioner based in Wales; and, if so, what was their outcome.[HL12534]
Earl Attlee: This Government have had no specific discussions with Ministers in the Welsh Government on this matter.
Women: Political System
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United Kingdom participated in the high-level event on 19 September at the United Nations General Assembly which was attended by women political leaders; and whether they were involved in the preparation of a joint statement.[HL12431]
Baroness Verma: My right honourable friend the Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, attended and spoke at the high-level event on women's political participation on 19 September, where she stressed the importance of the political participation of women, in particular in post-conflict situations.
The co-hosts of the event prepared the joint statement.
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