HOUSE OF LORDS WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND WRITTEN ANSWERS - NET
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Session 2019-21 Monday
No. 188 22 February 2021
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................ 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 4[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 Responsibilities
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Earl Howe Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Agnew of Oulton Minister of State, Treasury and Cabinet Office
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Chief Whip
Baroness Barran Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Baroness Berridge Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Department for
International Trade
Lord Bethell Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Whip
Waldrist
Lord Callanan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy
Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip
Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs
Baroness Goldie Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office
Lord Greenhalgh Minister of State, Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government
Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Minister of State, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department
for International Trade
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Whip
Baroness Penn Whip
Baroness Scott of Bybrook Whip
Baroness Stedman-Scott Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Stewart of Dirleton Advocate-General for Scotland
Lord True Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport
Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Justice
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2021
This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/Written Statements 22 February 2021 Page 1
– in fact, often it will do aspects of each within a single
Written Statements programme.
Monday, 22 February 2021 • A high tolerance for risk and failure. Failure is part of
the scientific process, and particularly central to finding
the technological breakthroughs that have the potential
Advanced Research and Invention Agency to create the industries and jobs of the future. ARIA
[HLWS780] will not shy away from high risk, in the pursuit of high
rewards.
Lord Callanan: My Right Honourable friend the
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial • Minimal bureaucracy. The recent approach to
Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng has today made the following COVID rapid response funds and the Vaccine
statement: Taskforce has led to a cultural shift around funding and
decision-making, towards a more lean and agile system,
The UK has a proud history of scientific excellence and and ARIA will continue this trend. It will have an
invention. Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and later, innovative approach to funding, with the ability to use
Alan Turing pioneered early predecessors of the mechanisms such as seed grants and prizes to ensure the
computer. Thomas Newcomen and James Watt gave us best support for the best ideas. ARIA’s programme
the steam engine, and Michael Faraday gave us the managers will be able to pull in scientists on projects
modern battery. within in a matter of weeks.
This Government is committed to continuing this • To empower exceptional talent. ARIA will be run by
tradition and cementing our role as a science superpower. exceptional scientists who have the expertise to identify
That is why our manifesto committed to creating a new the most exciting and ground-breaking research to
funding agency, focused on high-risk, high-reward invest in. Government will invest in these exceptional
research. I am pleased to update the House that we will be individuals, empowering them to use their expertise to
fulfilling this commitment through a new Advanced identify what research to back rather than providing a
Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), and we will also research focus for the organisation, and giving them the
be introducing a Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows freedom to start and stop projects quickly and redirect
to create this body. funding efficiently.
ARIA will have the sole focus to fund ground-breaking Alongside the Bill, we will recruit a visionary CEO and
research – research that sparks transformational societal experienced Chair. They will develop ARIA by setting
change through the creation of new technologies and new the agenda, shaping the culture, and building an
industries. exceptional team for the agency.
With £800 million committed to ARIA up to 2024/25, ARIA will further diversify our rich and dynamic R&D
ARIA will form a central part of delivering on our R&D system, taking us to the next level of scientific and
Roadmap, published in July 2020, to ensure the UK is the technological advances. Its successes stand to have an
best place for scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs to impact for how we fund R&D in the future, and ensure we
live and work, while helping to power up the UK’s maintain our outstanding global reputation for innovation
economic and social recovery. and discovery.
As we have developed ARIA, we have sought best
practice from international partners. Success stories Clerk of the Parliaments
include DARPA in the US, whose predecessor, ARPA,
[HLWS777]
was instrumental in creating transformational
technologies like the internet and GPS. More recently, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: I informed the House
DARPA has been behind precursors to technologies such on 30 September 2020 of Ed Ollard’s intention to retire
as Apple’s SIRI. from the office of Clerk of the Parliaments with effect
from 1 April 2021. A recruitment process for his
We have also listened to the scientific community about successor as Clerk of the Parliaments has now concluded.
how these models can best be adapted for the UK to
enhance our R&D offer. This includes ensuring ARIA Four applicants from a wide and high calibre field were
complements existing funders and makes a distinct interviewed by a board consisting of myself, the Lord
contribution to the wider R&D landscape. To this end, Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the
ARIA will have a bespoke purpose and structure, and will Liberal Democrats, the Convenor of the Crossbench Peers
work in partnership with UKRI and across the ecosystem. and Dame Sue Owen, a former DCMS Permanent
Secretary and Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion
ARIA’s key features will be: Champion.
• A singular focus on high-risk, high reward research The unanimous recommendation of the board is that
funding. ARIA will provide support for Simon Burton should succeed Ed Ollard as Clerk of the
transformational, long-term science and technology. Parliaments. We will have an opportunity to pay tribute to
ARIA will not be restricted in whether it funds pure Ed’s career in the House nearer to the date of his
science, applied science, or technological development retirement.Page 2 22 February 2021 Written Statements
With Simon’s appointment, the post of Clerk Assistant to amend the existing remote unquantified contingent
will now fall vacant, so an open and fair recruitment liability held by BEIS to include all costs arising from
process will now commence. exposure to ionising radiation due to the fusion activities
of UKAEA.
Department for Transport: Contingencies This contingent liability will remain remote and
Fund Advance unquantified. There is no expiry date so will be reviewed
annually to ensure it continues to be good value for
[HLWS779] money for the taxpayer.
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: My Right Honourable The Government will be subject to a new contingent
friend, the Secretary of State for Transport (Grant liability for all liabilities from UKAEA fusion activities
Shapps), has made the following Ministerial Statement: that lead to exposure to ionising radiation, and I will be
I hereby give notice of the Department for Transport laying a Departmental Minute today containing a
having drawn advances from the Contingencies Fund description of the liability undertaken.
totalling £4,000,000,000 to enable expenditure on
COVID-19 support packages to be spent ahead of the Research and Development Update
passage of the Supply and Appropriation Act. The
schemes include: [HLWS781]
Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements with the Lord Callanan: My Honourable friend the Minister for
Train Operating Companies; the COVID-19 Bus Services Science, Research and Innovation (Amanda Solloway)
Support Grant; safeguarding critical ferry freight routes; has today made the following statement:
and supporting regional transport networks such as I am tabling this statement for the benefit of
Transport for London and light rail networks. Honourable and Right Honourable Members, to bring to
Parliamentary approval for additional resource of their attention the support that the Government is
£4,000,000,000 will be sought in a Supplementary providing to United Kingdom Research and Innovation
Estimate for the Department for Transport. Pending that (UKRI) funded doctoral students to address the
approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £4,000,000,000 challenges related to COVID-19 restrictions.
will be met by repayable cash advances from the When lockdown began last year, UKRI communicated
Contingencies Fund. immediately that PhD studentships should not be
The cash advance will be repaid upon receiving Royal suspended ensuring students could continue to receive
Assent of the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and their stipends. In April 2020, £44m of urgent funding was
Adjustments) Bill. announced for up to 6-month extensions for PhD students
in their final year who could not complete their studies as
originally planned due to COVID-19 restrictions. This
Departmental Contingent Liability was taken up by 77% of eligible students.
Notification (UKAEA Fusion Liabilities) In November 2020, a further £19.1m was allocated to
[HLWS778] Research Organisations hosting UKRI funded students.
Lord Callanan: My Honourable friend the Minister for This enabled those organisations to target additional
Science, Research and Innovation (Amanda Solloway) support to those UKRI funded students who needed it
has today made the following statement: most including those whose study had been impacted by
caring responsibilities or health reasons, and those in their
I am tabling this statement for the benefit of
final year.
Honourable and Right Honourable Members to bring to
their attention the details of an amendment to the These two phases of funding amount to £63m of
Contingent Liability for the fusion activities of the UK funding and will provide support to approximately 10,000
Atomic Energy Authority, here on referred to as UKAEA. students.
UKAEA operate experimental fusion reactors at Since the introduction of the current restrictions in
Culham, Oxfordshire. Under the Nuclear Installations Act January, the Government has continued to monitor the
1965, UKAEA are required to meet any third-party impact on the research sector. I asked UKRI to explore
liabilities arising from an onsite incident resulting in what else could be done to help and I can now confirm
exposure to ionising radiation. that we will be providing additional support to UKRI
funded PhD students.
A remote and unquantified contingent liability is in
place which provides cover for such liabilities above A further £7m will now be made available to allocate
£2.25m. UKAEA’s captive insurer previously provided extensions, based on need, to those students still to
cover for such liabilities up to £2.25 million. This was complete their studies. Additionally, UKRI are exploring
wound up in 2019 as it did not provide good value for options to increase flexibility for grant holding
money to the taxpayer. Commercial arrangements to organisations to allocate existing funding for training and
replace the captive insurer and cover nuclear liabilities – cohort development activity to fund extensions.
either in part or in full – would not provide good value for Research England will also be delivering around £11m
money. The best value for money for taxpayers would be of block grant funding to English universities as aWritten Statements 22 February 2021 Page 3 contribution to their support for their postgraduate those most in need and with equality, diversity and research communities, including to students funded by inclusion considered throughout. universities themselves and to self-financed students. Ensuring that the research sector in the UK has the By the end of this phase of support funding, UKRI will people and skills it needs is crucial to realising have provided additional support totalling £70m, Government’s ambition to cement our status as a science including extensions, to around half of all their funded superpower. We will continue to monitor this situation students who were studying at the start of the first closely, to ensure that we are able to consider additional lockdown extension. This support has been targeted at support if necessary.
Page 4 22 February 2021 Written Answers
Agriculture: Research
Written Answers
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Monday, 22 February 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional
funds are being allocated for agricultural research and
Afghanistan: Homicide development; and how applications for such funds will
Asked by Baroness Goudie be administered. [HL12816]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they Lord Gardiner of Kimble: As part of green growth,
have to publicly condemn the killing of the two women the Government is committed to investing in research and
Afghan Supreme Court judges in Kabul. [HL12803] development to unlock innovation and drive up
agricultural productivity, whilst enhancing the
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government made environment and helping the sector achieve net zero
strong public condemnations of the killings of the two
carbon emissions.
female Afghan judges, Qadria Yasini and Zakia Herawi,
in Kabul. On 17 January, the day of the killings, the As highlighted in the recently published Agricultural
Foreign Secretary, our Ambassador in Kabul and I Transition Plan, we will build on previous R&D funding,
released statements on social media condemning the such as the £160m 2013 Agri-tech Strategy and the £90m
attack and pressed for an urgent, transparent investigation. Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund 'Transforming Food
I spoke to Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar Production' initiative, to provide additional investment.
the following day, during which I expressed my This will be administered through a new R&D funding
condolences to the people of Afghanistan and reiterated package for England as part of proposed productivity
the UK's support for peace. The Government is extremely measures to stimulate innovation and boost sustainable
concerned about the increase in violence and targeted productivity in agriculture.
attacks in Afghanistan, particularly against human rights Application guidance will be published prior to scheme
defenders. Joint statements were also released from launch, including a summary of application deadlines,
European Human Rights Ambassadors on 21 January and funding criteria, timetable and themes. Competitions are
from our Embassy in Kabul with other international expected to open in early 2022, with communication to
partners' missions on 31 January calling for justice and farmers and growers in advance, and projects are
the immediate end of these attacks. expected to begin later that year.
Africa: Coronavirus Agriculture: Motor Vehicles
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley Asked by Lord Empey
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
taking to assist African nations to access adequate they have made of the requirement of 'wash certificates'
supplies of COVID-19 vaccine. [HL13105] for all second-hand agricultural vehicles moving from
Great Britain to Northern Ireland; and what plans they
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to have to provide financial assistance to traders of
rapid equitable access to safe and effective vaccines. The agricultural vehicles to cover the cost of those
UK has committed £548 million to the COVAX Advance
certificates. [HL12887]
Market Commitment (AMC) - the international initiative
to support global equitable access to vaccines, of which Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Now that the transition
the UK is one of the largest bilateral donors. Through period has ended, Great Britain is treated as a third
match funding, the commitment encouraged other donors country by the European Union and vice-versa. Building
to commit $1 billion by the end of 2020. Our commitment on the existing practice established to maintain the Single
will contribute to the supply of at least 1.3 billion doses of Epidemiological Unit on the island of Ireland, both the
COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 for up to 92 countries in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remain aligned
global south, including 46 countries in Africa. with EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary rules. Consequently,
To ensure equitable vaccine access and delivery is used agricultural machinery exported from England,
achieved in Africa, FCDO has strengthened its Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland are subject to EU
engagement with regional bodies such as the African import controls including the requirement for a
Centre for Disease Control and World Health phytosanitary certificate. Used agricultural and forestry
Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, machinery must be cleaned free of soil and plant debris
alongside country relationships. FCDO is tracking prior to shipping to meet EU import requirements and in
assessments of country preparedness and is working at order for a phytosanitary certificate to be issued.
national and regional levels to support efforts to build Defra has put in place the Movement Assistance
country capacity to deliver vaccines and monitor vaccine Scheme (MAS) to support and assist traders moving
roll-out, ensuring high risk groups are prioritised. The UK plants, plant products, agrifood and agricultural
is also contributing up to £20 million to the African machinery from GB to NI. In addition to providing advice
Union's continental response to COVID-19. and guidance through a dedicated helpline service, MASWritten Answers 22 February 2021 Page 5
minimises business uncertainty by reimbursing or [4] ONS source is the Annual Business Inquiry
defraying some of the direct costs of certification that [5] ONS source is the Business Register Employment
traders will incur as a result of the new requirements. Survey
Therefore, if a business is moving used agricultural or
forestry machinery from GB to NI, they do not need to Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
pay for the phytosanitary certificates. Defra will monitor To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money
the performance of the scheme and review it after three they estimate was provided by the European Economic
months to determine how to best provide ongoing support Community to support agriculture in Wales in 1991;
to traders. and how much such money was provided by the EU in
(1) 2000, (2) 2010, and (3) 2019. [HL12844]
Agriculture: Wales
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The following estimated
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno amounts to support agriculture were paid by the Welsh
Office Agriculture Department/ Welsh Government under
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people
Common Agricultural Policy schemes in the years shown:
were employed in the agricultural sector in Wales in (1)
1991, (2) 2000, (3) 2010, and (4) 2019. [HL12843] - 1991 £42.757 million;
Lord True: The information requested falls under the - 2000 £175.620 million;
remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore - 2010 £321.185 million; and
asked the Authority to respond.
- 2019 £318.311 million.
Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician
The above figures exclude market measures paid for the
The Lord Roberts of Llandudno
whole of the UK by the Intervention Board / Rural
House of Lords Payments Agency.
London
SW1A 0PW Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties
05 February 2021 Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
Dear Lord Roberts,
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK assessment they have made of the potential financial
Statistics Authority, I am responding to your benefit of increasing alcohol duty to reduce the cost of
Parliamentary Question asking how many people were alcohol-related illness and harms to the NHS.
employed in the agricultural sector in Wales in (1) 1991, [HL12806]
(2) 2000, (3) 2010, and (4) 2019 (HL12843).
Lord Agnew of Oulton: All taxes are kept under
Agricultural employment estimates are produced using
review and the impact of a change to alcohol duty is
a combination of DEFRA surveys and Office for National
considered at each fiscal event, including its effect on
Statistics (ONS) employment surveys. Employment
health.
estimates by year, industry and geographic location are
available to download on the employment surveys
datasets area of NOMIS[1]. Amal Nakhleh
Table 1 below shows agricultural employment in Wales Asked by Baroness Tonge
in 1991, 2000, 2010 and 2019.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
Table 1: Agricultural employment in Wales[2] representations they have made to the government of
Year All employees, thousands Israel about (1) reports that the administrative detention
order of Amal Nakhleh has been extended, and (2) the
1991 [3] 20,000 need for Amal Nakhleh to access treatment for an
2000 [4] 12,000 autoimmune disease. [HL13139]
2010 [5]
15,000 Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of Amal
Nakhleh's case. According to international law,
2019 4 14,000 administrative detention should be used only when
imperative reasons of security makes it necessary, rather
Yours sincerely, than as routine practice and as a preventive rather than a
Professor Sir Ian Diamond punitive measure. We continue to call on the Israeli
[1] authorities to comply with their obligations under
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/select/getdatasetbythe international law and either charge or release detainees.
me.asp?opt=3&theme=&subgrp= We remain committed to working with Israel to secure
[2] Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand improvements to the practices surrounding children in
detention and regularly raise this with the Israeli Ministry
[3] ONS source is the Annual Employment Survey of Justice. We also fund projects providing legal aid toPage 6 22 February 2021 Written Answers
assist children with legal representation and capacity apprenticeships to be transferable from company to
building to local lawyers. Ultimately, a lasting peace company. During 2021-22, we will test approaches to
agreement is needed which ensures that all those who are supporting apprenticeships in these industries, including
in need of medical attention have access to healthcare in construction and the creative industries, and will also
provisions. consider the role that sectoral apprenticeship agencies
might play.
Animal Welfare: Brexit
Asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger Apprentices: Remote Education
To ask Her Majesty's Government what legislation is Asked by Lord Storey
in place that expressly recognises animals as “sentient To ask Her Majesty's Government what
beings” and requires Government to pay full regard to arrangements they have put in place to ensure that
animals as sentient beings in formulating and laptops are provided for apprentices who have to work
implementing policy, now that Article 13 of the Treaty from home. [HL13134]
on the Functioning of the EU no longer applies in UK
law. [HL13000] Baroness Berridge: We are committed to supporting
apprentices and employers to safely continue with, and
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Now that we complete, their programmes during the COVID-19
have established a new relationship with the European outbreak.
Union, we have a unique opportunity to shape future
Following the announcement of a new national
animal welfare policy in the UK to ensure our already
lockdown on 4 January 2021, employers and training
high animal welfare standards are maintained and
providers must ensure that training and assessment takes
enhanced.
place remotely wherever possible. Face-to-face training
There has never been any question that this and assessment can continue for vulnerable young
Government's policies on animal welfare are driven by apprentices, which includes 16- to 18-year-olds who may
the fact that animals are sentient beings. We have have difficulty engaging with remote training and
committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. assessment at home due to a lack of IT equipment or
Any necessary changes required to domestic legislation connectivity, and in employers’ COVID-19 secure
will be made in an effective and credible way and will be settings where it is essential for workers to attend their
brought forward when parliamentary time allows. workplace, and where it is safe and practical to do so.
The Government will ensure that animal sentience is Employers are responsible for providing their
not only recognised in domestic law, but that we will have employees, including apprentices, with the tools they
an effective and proportionate means of taking animal need to work remotely and should support apprentices
sentience into account in policy making. with the digital resources they need to also continue their
Here in the UK, we are already improving animal apprenticeship training remotely.
welfare standards without EU input and beyond the scope To support businesses during this time, we have
of Article 13. The Government is committed to taking extended the incentive payments for employers of up to
action to improve animal welfare at home and abroad, £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire until 31 March
including by increasing maximum sentences for animal 2021. Employers can use this funding to help meet any of
cruelty, banning third party sales of puppies, and the costs associated with supporting a new apprentice in
introducing one of the world's toughest bans on ivory the workplace, including providing laptops and other
sales. We have also made CCTV mandatory in resources for learning.
slaughterhouses and we are planning other reforms. These
steps show how seriously this Government gives regard to
animal welfare. Askham Bryan College
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours
Apprentices To ask Her Majesty's Government which Government
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick departments have relationships with Askham Bryan
College; and which Department has overall
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they responsibility for policies towards that college.
have to introduce "portable" apprenticeships. [HL12886]
[HL12866]
Baroness Berridge: Askham Bryan College’s primary
Baroness Berridge: We are committed to ensuring that relationship with government is with the department and
sectors where flexible working practices are its executive agency, the Education and Skills Funding
commonplace, including short periods of project-based Agency. The department has overall responsibility for
employment, are able to make full use of apprenticeships. policies relating to the delivery of further education and
As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, set out in higher education which are provided by Askham Bryan
his speech on 29 September 2020, we want more College.Written Answers 22 February 2021 Page 7
Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Any modern slavery or urgent welfare concerns must be
Human Rights dealt with as a matter of priority.
Thereafter Home Office staff have an ongoing
Asked by Baroness Northover obligation to escalate any welfare concerns they have to
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they the local authority children’s services throughout the
have (1) to promote human rights and democracy in course of the asylum process. In 2019, the UK received
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) more asylum applications from unaccompanied children
member countries, and (2) to provide support for the than any other country in Europe.
ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human
Rights and the further application of the ASEAN Asylum: Napier Barracks
Human Rights Declaration. [HL12830]
Asked by The Lord Bishop of London
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a leading
voice in upholding and defending human rights and To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
democracy. We value our relationship with all ASEAN's outbreak of COVID-19 at Napier Barracks, what plans
Member States, who are committed to rule of law, good they have to end the use of such barracks as asylum
governance, and the principles of democracy and accommodation; and if they have no such plans, what
constitutional government, through the ASEAN Charter. steps they intend to take to ensure (1) that social
Where we have concerns we raise these bilaterally, distancing measures are adhered to, and (2) that the
through our regular ministerial and official engagement dignity and freedom of residents is upheld. [HL12824]
with host governments, and multilaterally, including Baroness Williams of Trafford: Throughout the
through UN Human Rights Council statements and the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken decisive action to
Universal Periodic Review process. The UK does not ensure that those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom
currently provide support for the ASEAN have the support they need.
Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. Given the unique challenges over recent months, it has
been necessary to use contingency accommodation, such
Asylum: Children as former military barracks, to ensure there is always
sufficient capacity to deliver our statutory obligations to
Asked by Lord Hylton destitute asylum seekers.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many These sites have accommodated soldiers and army
unaccompanied asylum-seeking children reached personnel in the past and are safe, secure and suitable
Britain in each of the last three years; and what plans accommodation, in which asylum seekers receive three
they have to ensure the (1) identification, (2) safety, and meals a day, all paid for by the taxpayer.
(3) wellbeing, of these children. [HL13095] Despite our best efforts and the robust measures in
place at our sites, a number of asylum seekers
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The number of
accommodated at Napier recently tested positive for
unaccompanied children who make asylum claims is
coronavirus.
published in the quarterly immigration statistics. The
latest statistics can be found at the following link: It was also incredibly disappointing that a number of
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data- individuals refused coronavirus tests and had refused to
sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets#asylum- self-isolate or follow social distancing rules, despite
applications-decisions-and-resettlement. repeated requests to do so.
Protecting vulnerable children is a key priority for the In line with advice from Public Health England, over
Government and the Home Office takes its responsibility the last week the Home Office moved a number asylum
for the welfare of children very seriously. Section 55 of seekers out of the site. The purpose of this move was to
the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 allow others at Napier to self-isolate more easily and
requires the Secretary of State to make arrangements for facilitate a deep clean of the site.
ensuring that immigration, asylum and nationality A wide range of measures have been implemented to
functions are discharged having regard to the need to ensure guidance on social distancing and self-isolation are
safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in properly applied and we have worked closely with public
the UK. health authorities throughout the pandemic to inform a
All Home Office staff with responsibility for national approach.
interviewing and making decisions on asylum claims We take the wellbeing, dignity and freedom of those we
from children will have received specific training as a support extremely seriously. Asylum seekers are not
precursor to considering claims from children. detained and are free to come and go from their
In line with our published guidance on handling asylum accommodation, in line with coronavirus restrictions.
claims from children, once a child is encountered, the We continue to explore further options to ensure that
relevant local authority children’s services will be we continue meet our statutory obligations to support and
contacted and informed of the arrival and a referral made. accommodate destitute asylum seekers at all times.Page 8 22 February 2021 Written Answers
Atallah Mohammad Rayan monitor a number of sources of information on matters
that relate to human rights in Bahrain and make
Asked by Baroness Tonge assessments on that basis. Our latest assessment of the
To ask Her Majesty's Government what human rights situation in Bahrain was published as part of
representations they have made to the government of our Human Rights and Democracy Report in July 2020.
Israel about reports that the Israel Defence Force (1)
denied medical aid to Atallah Mohammad Rayan after
he was shot by soldiers, and (2) raided his family home. Bankruptcy: Wales
[HL12871] Asked by Lord German
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have not raised this To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
case with the Government of Israel. Our Embassy in Tel businesses have declared bankruptcy in each
Aviv regularly raises the importance of the Israel security parliamentary constituency in Wales so far in the
force's adherence to the principles of necessity and 2020/21 financial year. [HL13073]
proportionality when defending its legitimate security
interest. In instances where there have been accusations of Lord Callanan: The Insolvency Service publishes
excessive use of force, we have advocated swift, National Statistics on insolvency cases for England and
transparent investigations. They also raise access to Wales combined. It is not possible to identify accurately
healthcare with the Israeli authorities. The long-lasting companies that trade in Wales specifically, or companies
movement restrictions and the serious constraints imposed that operated within specific parliamentary constituencies
by the occupation can impact the provision of medical before entering insolvency. The data used for insolvency
care. The wounded and critically ill should be able to statistics is compiled from information at Companies
access the urgent medical care they need. House. The registered office address for a company may
not be representative of its trading location, and often it is
changed upon insolvency to the address of the appointed
Bahrain: Human Rights Insolvency Practitioner dealing with the case.
Asked by Lord Scriven Subject to these caveats, the table below sets out the
data on all company insolvencies registered at Companies
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
House during the three quarters of 2020/21 ending
Written Answers by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 6
December 2020:
May 2020 (HL3436) and the Minister of State at the
Home Office on 11 January (HC130095), what Estimated number of registered company insolvencies
assessment they have made of the role of Tariq Al- in Wales by parliamentary constituency of company
Hassan in human rights violations in Bahrain. registered office1
[HL13132] Estimated number of registered company insolvencies in Wales by
parliamentary constituency of company registered office1
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We work with a wide
variety of partners in Bahrain, including the Ministry of 1 April to 31 December 2020
Interior and its Chief of Public Security. As previously Constituency Total Company
stated, any assistance we provide is kept under regular Insolvencies
review to ensure it fully complies with our human rights Aberavon 0
obligations and the Overseas Security and Justice
Aberconwy 1
Assistance process.
Alyn and Deeside 2
Bahrain: Torture Arfon 1
Blaenau Gwent 1
Asked by Lord Scriven
Brecon and Radnorshire 0
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 25 Bridgend 1
January (HL12009), whether they will now answer the Caerphilly 0
question put, namely, what assessment they made of
Cardiff Central 1
reports that (1) torture, and (2) cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment, has occurred in the Muharraq Cardiff North 10
Security Complex in Bahrain; and whether they Cardiff South and Penarth 37
received any such reports (a) through the Torture and
Mistreatment Reporting Guidance, published in March Cardiff West 27
2011, or (b) through public representations or records. Carmarthen East and Dinefwr 1
[HL13131]
Carmarthen West and South 0
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of Pembrokeshire
allegations about the Muharraq Security Complex. We Ceredigion 1Written Answers 22 February 2021 Page 9
Constituency Total Company Berwyn, published on 17 September 2020, what
Insolvencies assessment they have made of complaints that prisoners
Clwyd South 0
have been threatened with sanctions for speaking
Welsh; and what steps are they taking following those
Clwyd West 1 complaints. [HL12890]
Cynon Valley 4
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: No sanctions or warnings
Delyn 1 have been issued at HMP Berwyn for use of the Welsh
Dwyfor Meirionnydd 0
Language since the prison opened in 2017. There has
been one instance where a prisoner was improperly
Gower 0 challenged for speaking Welsh in 2019; the matter was
Islwyn 0 investigated, and the member of staff corrected before
they issued a behaviour warning to the prisoner. No
Llanelli 0
further complaints of this nature have been reported.
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney 0
HMP Berwyn is committed to supporting its prisoners,
Monmouth 0 which includes meeting the expectations of the Welsh
Montgomeryshire 1 Language Commissioner and helping encourage the
speaking of Welsh at the prison.
Neath 0
Every prison in Wales, including HMP Berwyn, has a
Newport East 0 Welsh Language Action plan. HMP Berwyn has a
Newport West 11 dedicated Welsh Language Lead who provides updates to
the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, chaired by the
Ogmore 0
Governor.
Pontypridd 0
Preseli Pembrokeshire 1
Betting
Rhondda 0
Asked by Baroness Mallalieu
Swansea East 3
Swansea West 68
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
have (1) to consider, and (2) to publish, an impact
Torfaen 1 assessment on industries interlinked with the UK
Vale of Clwyd 0 betting sector before implementing the affordability
checks proposed by the Gambling Commission.
Vale of Glamorgan 2
[HL13276]
Wrexham 1
Baroness Barran: The Gambling Commission’s
Ynys Môn 0 consultation and call for evidence on Remote Customer
Total 177 Interaction closed on 9th February. The Commission is
currently considering responses and will be led by the
Source: Companies House, Insolvency Service evidence it received in deciding next steps. It would be
1
Companies House supplies quarterly data on company for the Gambling Commission to consider the appropriate
insolvencies to the Insolvency Service. impact assessment, depending on what action it decides to
The Insolvency Service also holds data on personal take following the consultation, in line with Business
bankruptcies in Wales during 2020 where the individual Impact Target Assessment requirements.
concerned ran a business as a sole trader or partnership.
This information will be available later this year
following the summer release of the official statistics Betting: Taxation
covering the location, age and gender of individuals that Asked by Lord Lipsey
entered insolvency in 2020 (provisionally to be released
in August 2020). The latest published statistics cover the To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
period 2000 to 2019 and are available on the GOV.UK they have made of the Gambling Commission’s
website. consumer affordability proposals on tax receipts from
betting. [HL13110]
Berwyn Prison: Welsh Language Lord Agnew of Oulton: No assessment has been made
on the impact on receipts of the Gambling Commission’s
Asked by Lord German proposals, which are currently subject to consultation.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the As is the case with all taxes, the revenue from gambling
report by Independent Monitoring Board, Annual taxation is subject to constant evaluation.
Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMPPage 10 22 February 2021 Written Answers
Biotechnology its position regarding the export of live bivalve molluscs
from Class B waters. There is no scientific or technical
Asked by Lord Walney justification for this, and it is already impacting
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they businesses on both sides of the channel. We are
have to undertake a strategic review of the role publishing a series of correspondence between Defra and
biologics manufacturing could play in pandemic the European Commission, which clearly reinforces our
responsiveness and resilience. [HL12874] position.
The Secretary of State has written to Commissioner
Lord Callanan: Currently the UK does not have the
Kyriakides. We continue to seek urgent resolution with
capability or scale to manufacture bulk levels of
the European Commission, and we have offered to
antibodies; the Vaccine Taskforce identified this as a
provide reasonable additional reassurances to demonstrate
potential weakness in the UK’s future pandemic response.
shellfish health, on the understanding that the
As a result, the Government issued a Prior Information Commission must recognise the existing high standards
Notice in October 2020 to engage with the market to and history of UK-EU trade.
explore how UK antibody manufacturing capability can
be developed to secure permanent UK access and build
resilience. The findings from the market engagement Brain: Tumours
exercise, and the wider landscape of the pandemic, has Asked by Lord Crisp
resulted in the need for a broader strategic review of the
role that biologics manufacturing could play in pandemic To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
responsiveness and resilience. they have made of the level of research being
undertaken into the (1) prevention, and (2) treatment, of
The Government has invested over £300 million to
brain tumours. [HL13063]
secure and scale-up the UK’s vaccine manufacturing
capabilities to be able to respond to the pandemic. This Lord Bethell: More research is needed on brain cancer.
includes: This is a challenging area as the research community is
a) Facilities that have come online: relatively small. We announced £40 million over five
years as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission.
• £4.7 million for skills training through the Advanced
The planned designation of Tessa Jowell Centres of
Therapies Skills Training Network, which will be
Excellence will be a major step forwards in enhancing
delivered through both virtual and physical centres;
both treatment and research for people with brain cancer.
• £8.75 million for the set-up of the rapid deployment
facility at Oxford Biomedica in Oxfordshire;
British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries
• £65.5 million for the early manufacture of the
University of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine; and Asked by The Earl of Clancarty
• Funding for fill and finish through a contract with To ask Her Majesty's Government how exempted
Wockhardt in Wrexham, North Wales which is professionals, including those in IT and engineering,
currently providing fill and finish capabilities to the who are UK citizens and resident in the EU should
University of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine. evidence their status on entry to an EU country under
b) Facilities that will come online later this year, to help the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
provide longer term UK capacity and will help in [HL12987]
pandemic preparedness:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Withdrawal
• £93 million to accelerate the completion and expanded Agreement protects UK nationals and their family
role of the Vaccine Manufacturing Innovation Centre in members who were lawfully resident in the EU by the end
Oxfordshire; and of the transition period, on 31 December 2020. Those in
• £127 million for the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult scope of the Withdrawal Agreement and their family
Braintree in Essex. members are exempt from the EU's temporary restrictions
In addition to the above, we have also funded the on non-essential travel due to Covid-19 and have a right
expansion of the Valneva factory in Livingston, Scotland. to enter, exit and transit to their host Member State. To
evidence their status, UK nationals must carry evidence of
their residence in the EU, as well as a valid passport, to
Bivalve Molluscs: Imports
travel. Boarding should be permitted upon presentation of
Asked by Lord Berkeley a residence permit; a certificate of application; a frontier
worker permit; or any document that credibly evidences
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
their status under the Withdrawal Agreement. Documents
representations they plan to make to the EU, if any, to
that could be used include proof of an EU address;
remove its ban on the import of live molluscs from the
payslips issued by an EU employer; EU bank account
UK. [HL12930]
statements; or utility bills evidencing an EU address.
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: It is wholly The separate provisions in the UK-EU Trade and
unacceptable that the European Commission has changed Cooperation Agreement on entry and temporary stay forWritten Answers 22 February 2021 Page 11
business purposes apply to UK nationals living in the EU, Overseas Territories, and (2) the Crown
in EU countries other than their Member State of Dependencies, is being given equal priority to the
residence or frontier work, in the same way as they do to supply to UK residents. [HL13109]
UK nationals living in the UK. Member State rules vary
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government
and business travellers should check, prior to travelling, if
has procured COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the Crown
they need a visa, work permit or other documentation. If a
Dependencies and Overseas Territories and is committed
visa or work permit is needed, business travellers should
to continue to providing a proportionate supply in line
apply well in advance of any travel. The Travel Advice
with roll out of the vaccine in the UK. The governments
pages published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and
of the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories are
Development Office provide the most up to date
responsible for the coordination of their own vaccination
information on travelling to European countries.
programmes. This includes setting their own frameworks
for prioritisation based on demographics and their wider
British Overseas Territories: World Trade public health strategies. The Crown Dependencies have
Organisation been supplied vaccine directly by Public Health England:
details of their vaccination programmes, including up-to-
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
date statistics on number of doses administered, can be
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK’s found at gov.im, gov.je and gov.gg.
membership of the World Trade Organization includes The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
the British Overseas Territories. [HL13100] (FCDO) has been coordinating the deployment of
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom's COVID-19 vaccines to the Overseas Territories with the
membership of the WTO does not currently include the support of the Department of Health and Social Care, the
Overseas Territories. The UK Government is Vaccines Taskforce, Ministry of Defence and Public
constitutionally responsible for the international relations Health England. Deliveries to the inhabited Overseas
of the Overseas Territories, and should an Overseas Territories began on 5 January and as of 15 February, the
Territory wish to participate in the WTO, the United FCDO has organised 16 vaccine deliveries to 10 Overseas
Kingdom Government would look to assist in exploring Territories to support their individual vaccination
the processes and options available. programmes for priority groups, with further deliveries
scheduled over coming weeks in line with Territories'
British Overseas Territories and Crown vaccination plans. Planning is also underway to deliver
vaccines to the two outstanding inhabited Territories:
Dependencies: Coronavirus Tristan da Cunha and the Pitcairn Islands.
Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton • Ascension Island: deliveries began 15 February
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many doses • Anguilla: deliveries began 4 February
of COVID-19 vaccine have (1) been offered, and (2)
been supplied, to each of the British Overseas • Bermuda: deliveries began 8 January
Territories, broken down by (a) the total number, and • British Virgin Islands: deliveries began 4 February
(b) as a percentage of total population over the age of
18. [HL13106] • Cayman Islands: deliveries began 5 January
Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton • Falkland Islands: deliveries began 1 February
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many doses • Gibraltar: deliveries began 9 January
of COVID-19 vaccine have (1) been offered, and (2) • Montserrat: deliveries began 3 February
been supplied, to each of the Crown Dependencies,
broken down by (a) the total number, and (b) as a • Pitcairn Islands: delivery being arranged
percentage of total population over the age of 18.
• St Helena: deliveries began 11 January
[HL13107]
• Tristan da Cunha: delivery being arranged
Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
• Turks and Caicos Islands: deliveries began 7 January
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the
COVID-19 vaccination timeline for (1) British Public Health England have been providing expert
Overseas Territories, and (2) the Crown Dependencies, advice to the Overseas Territories on deploying the
mirrors that planned for the UK; and if not, why not. vaccines. The FCDO have provided support to the
[HL13108] Overseas Territories throughout the pandemic, enabling
seven islands to begin testing for COVID-19 for the first
Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton time, the others to continue testing, ensuring none ran out
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the supply of Personal Protective Equipment, funding two military
of COVID-19 vaccines to residents of (1) British deployments and sending medical staff, ventilators and
other equipment.Page 12 22 February 2021 Written Answers
Business: Coronavirus to understand what more the industry can do to help
individuals and businesses as the economy reopens, and
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick to monitor the availability of cover and the impact this is
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment having on the sector.
they have made of the impact of the restrictions in place As measures to control the virus change, it is right that
to address the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses’ government support should also evolve. Because of this,
ability to trade. [HL12837] we continue to take a flexible approach and keep all
impacts and policies under review.
Lord Callanan: We know that businesses across all
sectors have faced enormous challenges throughout this
pandemic, that is why the Government has spent over Business: UK Trade with EU
£280bn to put in place an unprecedented package of Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
support to protect jobs and help businesses continue
trading where possible. To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent
discussions they have had with business
We are also investing in the development, purchase,
organisations about the impact of the UK’s trading
and deployment of vaccines in order to lift restrictions
relationship with the EU on businesses. [HL12842]
once the health data indicates it is prudent to do so.
Lord Callanan: Ministers and officials have engaged
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
closely with business organisations throughout the
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent negotiations with the EU and we continue to do so. BEIS
discussions they have had with business representative Ministers hold regular calls with all BEIS sectors,
organisations about the impact of the COVID-19 including but not limited to manufacturing, energy,
pandemic on businesses. [HL12838] construction, life sciences, professional business services,
retail and hospitality. We use these ongoing engagements
Lord Callanan: Ministers and officials have engaged
to collect direct intelligence on the impacts of the Trade
closely with business representative organisations
Co-operation Agreement (TCA) on industries and sectors
throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and we continue to do
that informs the response from BEIS and other
so.
Government departments, and ensures the effectiveness of
BEIS Ministers hold regular sector calls with all the Government’s advice and support to businesses. In
industries that BEIS covers, including but not limited to addition, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Duchy
manufacturing, energy, construction, life sciences, of Lancaster chairs the Brexit Business Taskforce
professional services, retail and hospitality. The industry comprising a wide group of businesses and business
representatives include business organisations and trade organisations that regularly meet to discuss the impacts
associations. We use these ongoing engagements to and opportunities for businesses from the UK leaving the
collect direct intelligence on the impacts of Covid-19 on EU.
industries and sectors that informs the response from
BEIS and other Government departments and ensures the
effectiveness of the Government’s response to the Covid- Cambodia: Human Rights
19 outbreak and economic recovery. Asked by Baroness Northover
Asked by Lord Stunell To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they taking to support democracy and human rights in
have to extend the underwriting of insurance costs of Cambodia in view of the treason charges brought
care homes to businesses in the (1) hospitality, (2) against 121 members of the Cambodia National Rescue
adult, and (3) retail, sector to support the reopening of Party for treason. [HL12829]
such businesses once restrictions in place to address the Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is concerned
COVID-19 pandemic are lifted. [HL12859] about the trajectory of democracy in Cambodia. The UK
Asked by Lord Stunell plays a vocal role in the promotion of democracy. We
raise concerns about democratic space and other human
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent rights issues with the Cambodian authorities. The British
discussions they have had with the insurance Embassy in Phnom Penh has and will continue to meet
industry about flexibility in the provision of Employer with members of the Cambodian opposition and
Liability Insurance for businesses in the (1) hospitality, representatives from the Cambodia National Rescue Party
(2) adult, and (3) retail, sectors, to support such (CNRP) to hear their concerns. Embassy staff have
businesses to reopen when the restrictions in place to attended court hearings, including of some of the 121
address the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted. [HL12860] CNRP members, and will continue to do so in partnership
Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government recognises with like-minded foreign missions.
the essential role of the insurance industry in providing The UK also uses multinational fora to raise concerns.
the cover businesses need to operate. We are working At sessions of the UN Human Rights Council in June
closely with the insurers, the trade bodies and regulators 2020, the UK publicly urged the Cambodian authorities toYou can also read
