Baroness Clark of Kilwinning

Labour - Former Member for Life peer

Became Member: 3rd September 2020


Baroness Clark of Kilwinning is not a member of any APPGs
Youth Unemployment Committee
28th Jan 2021 - 26th May 2021
Panel of Chairs
21st Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Committees on Arms Export Controls
12th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Environmental Audit Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
2nd Nov 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Procedure Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Scottish Affairs Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
European Scrutiny Committee
17th Jul 2006 - 6th May 2010
Crossrail Bill
5th Dec 2005 - 13th Nov 2007
Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill (Joint Committee)
2nd May 2007 - 8th Aug 2007


Division Voting information

Baroness Clark of Kilwinning has voted in 1703 divisions, and 50 times against the majority of their Party.

21 Jan 2021 - Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour Aye votes vs 116 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 29 Noes - 440
30 Dec 2020 - European Union (Future Relationship) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 117 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 101 Noes - 466
12 Mar 2015 - Defence Spending - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 5 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 3
20 Jan 2015 - Trident Renewal - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 101 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 35 Noes - 364
13 Jan 2015 - Charter for Budget Responsibility - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Labour No votes vs 197 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 515 Noes - 18
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 41 Labour Aye votes vs 162 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
26 Sep 2014 - Iraq: Coalition Against ISIL - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 190 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 524 Noes - 43
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Labour No votes vs 197 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 498 Noes - 31
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour Aye votes vs 185 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 56 Noes - 454
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour No votes vs 191 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 449 Noes - 33
13 Oct 2011 - Procedure Committee Reports - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Labour Aye votes vs 56 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 206
9 Sep 2010 - UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Labour No votes vs 29 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 14
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 53 Labour Aye votes vs 57 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
1 Mar 2010 - Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 198 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 85
24 Feb 2010 - Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Labour Aye votes vs 243 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 252
20 Jan 2010 - Fiscal Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour No votes vs 255 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 265 Noes - 197
19 Jan 2010 - Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Labour No votes vs 247 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 263 Noes - 53
5 Jan 2010 - Fiscal Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Labour No votes vs 255 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 265 Noes - 196
2 Dec 2009 - Equality Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Labour Aye votes vs 270 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 427
10 Nov 2009 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Labour No votes vs 278 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 286 Noes - 236
9 Nov 2009 - Coroners and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Labour Aye votes vs 265 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 266 Noes - 274
26 Oct 2009 - Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour Aye votes vs 236 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 158 Noes - 246
17 Mar 2009 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 29 Labour Aye votes vs 251 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 85 Noes - 408
17 Mar 2009 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour Aye votes vs 250 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 76 Noes - 396
17 Mar 2009 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 30 Labour Aye votes vs 247 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 260
3 Mar 2009 - Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Labour No votes vs 260 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 271 Noes - 89
27 Feb 2009 - Autism Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Labour Aye votes vs 25 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 131 Noes - 25
24 Feb 2009 - Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval) - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Labour Aye votes vs 193 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 247 Noes - 203
17 Dec 2008 - Electoral Commission (Remuneration of Chairman) - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Labour No votes vs 182 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 324 Noes - 32
10 Nov 2008 - Post Office Card Account - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Labour Aye votes vs 270 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 240 Noes - 278
4 Nov 2008 - Employment Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 43 Labour Aye votes vs 212 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 53 Noes - 408
28 Oct 2008 - Climate Change Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Labour Aye votes vs 261 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 280
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Expenses - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 50 Labour No votes vs 144 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 172 Noes - 144
11 Jun 2008 - New Clause 22 - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 37 Labour No votes vs 292 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 306
10 Jun 2008 - Counter-Terrorism Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 300 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 287 Noes - 310
2 Jun 2008 - Planning Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour Aye votes vs 248 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
6 May 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour No votes vs 261 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 271 Noes - 215
22 Apr 2008 - Pensions Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 261 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 195 Noes - 269
31 Mar 2008 - Housing and Regeneration Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 27 Labour Aye votes vs 252 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 210 Noes - 263
31 Mar 2008 - Housing and Regeneration Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 248 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 74 Noes - 259
4 Mar 2008 - European Union (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour Aye votes vs 273 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 57 Noes - 329
9 Jan 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Labour No votes vs 256 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 481 Noes - 46
14 Mar 2007 - Trident - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 167 Noes - 413
14 Mar 2007 - Trident - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Labour No votes vs 222 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 409 Noes - 161
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 152 Labour No votes vs 162 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 416 Noes - 163
28 Feb 2007 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour Aye votes vs 256 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 267
28 Feb 2007 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 283 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 268
7 Feb 2007 - Al-Yamamah Arms Agreement - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour Aye votes vs 277 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 295
11 Dec 2006 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 27 Labour No votes vs 265 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 411 Noes - 91
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Labour Aye votes vs 218 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 122 Noes - 354
View All Baroness Clark of Kilwinning Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
David Mundell (Conservative)
(25 debate interactions)
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative)
Foreign Secretary
(24 debate interactions)
Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat)
(16 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
HM Treasury
(78 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(72 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(50 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(40 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Baroness Clark of Kilwinning's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Baroness Clark of Kilwinning, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Baroness Clark of Kilwinning has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Baroness Clark of Kilwinning has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
35 Other Department Questions
20th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the oral evidence taken by the Committees on Arms Export Controls on 1 December 2014, HC 608, when the report of the review of extant exporting licensing and the licensing of new applications for Israel will be published.

This review has not yet been concluded. The outcomes of the review will be announced publically in due course.

22nd Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2014 to Questions 196539 and 196540, how much of the funding for (a) adult further education and skills and (b) apprenticeships was spent in 2013-14.

A breakdown of programme expenditure for adult further education and skills is provided in the Skills Funding Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-funding-agency-annual-report-and-accounts-2013-to-2014

Adult skills budget and adult (19+) apprenticeship expenditure is presented on page 73; expenditure on apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds is presented on page 75.

16th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the performance of the My Energy Credit scheme.

MyEnergyCredit scheme is an industry initiative by six largest energy companies to help energy consumers to claim credit repayments owed by their former energy supplier. The scheme was launched in two stages. The first stage was launched on 10 September and enabled consumers to claim repayments through the website www.myenergycredit.com. The second stage launched on 10 December enables consumers to claim through a new helpline 0370 737 7770 and a freepost address:

Freepost RTHL-ZYBU-KBCC

My Energy Credit

47 Aylesbury Road

Thame. OX9 3PG

It is important energy consumers are returned money that is rightfully theirs if it has been left behind when they moved house or switched supplier.

In February 2014, Ofgem called on energy companies to take action to return money they were holding in customers’ closed accounts. At that time, Ofgem estimated that the total balance held by suppliers in former domestic customer accounts was at least £202m, and £204m for former non-domestic customers. Ofgem continues to monitor suppliers’ progress and review the need for further action.

21st Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2014 to Question 207349, what the licence type, summary, value, end use and nature of end-user for each of the export licences approved between 8 July and 31 August 2014 was.

Details of the licences approved between 8 July and 31 August are as below. Based on information about the nature of the equipment and the use of the licences, we do not believe any of the equipment listed below has been used in Gaza during the recent hostilities

End User Countries

Goods Summary

Total Goods Value

End Use

Nature of End User

Israel

targeting equipment

58,752

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Government

Israel

components for targeting equipment

26,000

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

law enforcement agency

Israel

software enabling equipment to function as military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment

2,000

For demonstration only

Civil end-user

Israel

components for surface-to-air missiles

2,990

Missile defence system

Government

Israel

military aircraft navigation equipment

41,902

Returned after repair in the UK

Government

Israel

corrosion resistant chemical manufacturing equipment

5,992

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Civil end-user

Israel

body armour, components for body armour, military helmets

19,000

staff protection

International Organisation

Israel

pathogenic genetic elements

20

Medical research purposes

University

Israel

targeting equipment

51,931

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Government

Israel

components for military radars

275,000

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Government

Israel

calcium

85

Academic research purposes

Private Research Institute

Israel

equipment employing cryptography, software for equipment employing cryptography

113,700

civil project to provide secure communications

Government

Israel

triggered spark gaps

250,000

for medical applications

Civil end-user

Israel

equipment employing cryptography

71,454

secure connectivity

Civil end-user

Israel

components for military infrared/thermal imaging equipment

1,404

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Government

Israel

components for targeting equipment

21,228

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Government

Israel

bismuth

700

Academic research purposes

University / Private Research Institutes

Israel

components for targeting equipment

5,000

Incorporation and re-export to a third country

Government

Italy

components for military training aircraft

8,779

Incorporation into trainer aircraft

Government

United States

launching/handling/control equipment for munitions

104,000

Incorporation into military aircraft

Government

United States

components for military training aircraft

9,267

Incorporation into trainer aircraft for supply to multiple countries including Israel

Government

Germany

components for military training aircraft

343

Incorporation into trainer aircraft for supply to multiple countries including Israel

Government

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the engines used in the Israeli Defence Forces unmanned aerial vehicles have been developed or enhanced with the assistance of UK technology or components.

We have identified one licence for components for unmanned air vehicles for the Israeli Defence Forces, dating back to 1999.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Government has issued export licences for unmanned aerial vehicle engines for use by the Israeli Defence Force since 2010.

No licences have been granted for unmanned aerial vehicle engines for use by the Israeli Defence Force since 2010.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many decisions on standard individual export licence applications for export to Israel were made between 8 July and 31 July 2014; and what proportion of such decisions were approved.

10 decisions for Standard Individual Export Licences were made for direct export to Israel.

A further 4 decisions for Standard Individual Export Licences were made for export, where Israel is listed as either an ultimate end user or potential ultimate end user on the application.

In total 14 decisions were made and all were for licences to be granted.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many applications for standard individual export licences for export to Israel were made between 8 July 2014 and 31 July 2014; and how many such applications were successful.

19 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for direct export to Israel.

A further 16 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for export, where Israel is listed an ultimate end user on the application.

Of the 35 applications, 2 licences have been granted.

Our assessment is that the licences granted are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza in response to attacks in Hamas.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many (a) standard individual export licenses and (b) open individual export licences permitting exports to Israel were suspended between 8 July and 31 August 2014.

No such export licences were suspended in this period of time.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many decisions on standard individual export licence applications for export to Israel were made between 1 and 31 August 2014; and what proportion of the decisions on such applications were successful.

8 decisions for Standard Individual Export Licences were made for direct export to Israel, all of which were decisions to grant a licence.

Our assessment is that the licences granted are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza in response to attacks in Hamas.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many applications for standard individual export licences for export to Israel were made between 1 and 31 August 2014; and how many such applications were successful.

30 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for direct export to Israel.

A further 7 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for export, where Israel is listed as a potential or ultimate end user on the application.

Of the 37 applications, 2 licences have been granted.

Our assessment is that the licences granted are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza in response to attacks in Hamas.

16th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will suspend all standard individual export licence and open individual export licences to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories until at least such time as a ceasefire in the present conflict in that region has been established.

A ceasefire was announced on 26 August 2014 and remains in force. The Government continues to monitor the situation closely.

1st Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2014, Official Report, column 461W, on asbestos, how often inspections for asbestos containing materials are carried out in buildings owned or managed by his Department.

Inspections for asbestos containing materials are carried out in buildings owned or managed by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in accordance with statutory requirements.

The asbestos regulations require all buildings containing asbestos to be inspected a minimum of once every twelve months. The level and type of asbestos in each building would dictate any additional inspections, maintenance and remedial work to be carried out in a particular building.

The management plan, including records and drawings, should be reviewed every 12 months and any identified or suspected ACM must be inspected and its condition assessed periodically, to check that it has not deteriorated or been damaged.

1st Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2014, Official Report, column 461W, on asbestos, what training does the responsible person as a duty holder in line with Health and Safety Executive guidance receive in order to perform their duties.

The duty holder works in consultation with specialist contractors who are qualified to carry out any necessary maintenance relating to asbestos.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, there is a requirement for a competence to undertake this function. As this is very specific legislation, competence would require knowledge, experience and a suitable qualification (BOHS P405) or a combination of two or more of these requirements.

A role-specific bespoke course may be arranged to meet the client's needs provided by a competent body.

1st Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to his Department's answer of 30 June 2014, Official Report, column 460W, on asbestos, whether all staff in his Department who work in buildings which contain asbestos are (a) aware of the asbestos in the buildings, (b) trained in how to manage asbestos and (c) required to sign an asbestos register before working on the premises.

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 10 requires that those who may be exposed to materials containing asbestos have relevant training. In all instances, prior to works starting, a full risk assessment is undertaken to manage risks.

General staff (such as office, cleaning and catering staff) who regularly work in buildings owned or used by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills would not be working in an environment where they would disturb or be exposed to asbestos-containing materials. For these staff, therefore, training on how to manage asbestos is not provided and the signing of an asbestos register is not required. However, where it is identified that a member of staff or contractor could potentially be exposed to asbestos-containing materials, a full risk assessment in compliance with the regulations would take place.

The regulation is specific to those who could work with asbestos. This would reasonably exclude general office workers, caterers, cleaners, etc. However, all would be protected by the Health & Safety at Work Act and Health & Safety at Work Regulations whereby all works are risk assessed prior to start to ensure the safe working and environment for those directly and indirectly affected.

20th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether all buildings owned or used by his Department have been inspected to identify any asbestos materials within them.

All buildings owned or used by Department of Business, Innovation and Skills which are in scope have been inspected for asbestos containing materials.

Buildings which are out of scope include those managed by the landlord and those built post 2000.

20th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether staff in his Department are able to access the reports reviewing the buildings owned or used by his Department on asbestos within its buildings.

All available information relating to the estate of Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is held by the maintenance provider. This information includes reports and other information relating to asbestos in buildings.

This is available on request to all maintenance provider contractors.

Other interested parties such as staff, need to be directed to the maintenance provider by Property Asset Management Directorate who work for BIS.

20th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether any buildings owned or used by his Department contain asbestos.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) do own and use buildings which contain asbestos.

The reports for all buildings within the BIS core estate which contain asbestos are regularly reviewed for appropriateness and action plans to manage, update and re-inspect are implemented.

20th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether all buildings owned or used by his Department have been allotted a responsible person as a duty holder in line with Health and Safety Executive guidance.

All buildings owned or used by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills have a responsible person as a duty holder in line with the Health and Safety Executive guidance.

As current Director of Estates at UKSBS, Roger Taylor is responsible for the management of all aspects of estates management on behalf of Department Business Innovation and Skills for the core buildings owned and/ or used by them.

20th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many apprenticeships his Department has created during the last four years.

BIS has created a total of 69 apprenticeships during the last four years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effects of amending the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 on the number of house fires.

BIS is currently exploring options for a revised match test in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. It will not have a material effect on the fire safety of UK domestic upholstered furniture, but could lead to a small overall decrease in house fires as it will include currently unregulated materials in products which can contribute to the ignitability of furniture. The test will also reduce the levels of flame retardant chemicals in UK furniture. These contribute to smoke toxicity when burned and can have adverse effects on human health and the environment when they break down into constituent parts. These changes should bring savings to the industry of £30-50 million a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of reform of apprenticeships resulting from the Richard Review on the cost of training new (a) ratings and (b) officer cadets in the maritime industry; and if he will make a statement.

Different apprenticeship programmes operate in England and Scotland. Doug Richard's Review focused on English apprenticeships and he made a number of recommendations to make the programme more rigorous and responsive to employers' needs. The Government accepted the Richard Review principles and set out its apprenticeship reform programme in the October 2013 Implementation Plan.

The reforms include employers developing new apprenticeship standards, requiring employers to co-invest, putting the Government funding for the external training and assessment of apprentices in the hands of their employers and setting maximum Government contribution levels. With direct access to funding, employers will be able to negotiate a price for the training with their provider, and this means it is not possible in advance of the reforms to say what the costs of training apprentices in specific occupations will be.

The Maritime sector has a long tradition of apprenticeships which we wish to continue. English apprenticeships are currently available for Maritime occupations and employers in the sector are currently designing a new apprenticeship standard for ratings as part of our Phase 2 Trailblazer programme.

The Government has recognised through Alternative Completion Conditions Regulations that, in some maritime occupations, apprentices may be trainees rather than employees. The apprenticeships funding reform technical consultation is open until 1 May 2014 and this includes a question about how, or to what extent, the new funding principles and mechanism can be applied to non-employed apprentices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment his Department has made of the socio-economic development performance of NMP in West Cumbria.

NMP is the parent body organisation for Sellafield Ltd, the site licence company that operates Sellafield site under contract to the NDA. NMP, Sellafield Ltd and the NDA work collaboratively to support the socio-economic agenda in West Cumbria, with all three organisations having focussed their activities through Britain's Energy Coast, the private/public sector partnership established to promote and develop the economic prospects of the area. DECC has no direct role in assessing NMP's performance in this area which is a matter for the NDA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment his Department has made of the socio-economic development performance of Magnox in North Ayrshire.

Magnox Ltd is the site licence company that operates 10 Magnox sites under contract to the NDA. Magnox Ltd published a socio-economic strategy for its sites in 2011, which includes Hunterston A in North Ayrshire. DECC has no direct role in assessing Magnox's performance in this area which is a matter for the NDA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when the standard individual export licence granted in May 2011 to permit tear gas ammunition to be exported to Turkey expired.

The licence expired on 4th May 2012. Temporary export licences are issued for a period of 12 months, with a condition that the goods are returned to the UK within the validity of the licence. The goods were returned to the UK on 23 May 2011.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will investigate whether any tear gas exported to Turkey under the standard individual export licence granted in May 2011 was used on demonstrators in Turkey in 2013.

The licence granted in May 2011 was for temporary export of "inert tear gas/irritant ammunition" for exhibition purposes. It was a condition of the licence that the goods were returned to the UK within 12 months and they were returned on 13 May 2013 .The licence did not authorise the export of any tear gas or "live" tear gas ammunition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on increasing the range of services provided by the Post Office network.

Post Office Ltd, with its network of over 11,500 branches, is well placed to become a provider of front office services for Government, helping citizens interact with Government either face-to-face or online.

While public services must be competitively tendered, Post Office Ltd has shown that it can very effectively bid for and win new work. It has won every Government contract it has bid for the past three years in highly competitive tendering processes.

In particular, in 2012 it successfully bid for the competitively-tendered DVLA framework contract for Front Office Counter Services (FOCS). This contract runs to 2020 and is available to other Government departments. For example HM Passport Office recently moved its services with Post Office Ltd onto FOCS and this Department and the Cabinet Office are in close contact about a range of other opportunities.

Furthermore, Post Office Ltd was recently one of the successful bidders for the Cabinet Office's online identity assurance contract, ensuring that Post Office Ltd can play a role in the delivery of modern, online Government services.

Whilst I continue to highlight to my colleagues the opportunities available to Government from using the Post Office network and contracts such as these, individual contracts are a matter for the services in question and their respective public bodies and departments. I have not had recent discussions specifically with the Welsh Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on increasing the range of services provided by the Post Office network.

Post Office Ltd, with its network of over 11,500 branches, is well placed to become a provider of front office services for Government, helping citizens interact with Government either face-to-face or online.

While public services must be competitively tendered, Post Office Ltd has shown that it can very effectively bid for and win new work. It has won every Government contract it has bid for the past three years in highly competitive tendering processes.

In particular, in 2012 it successfully bid for the competitively-tendered DVLA framework contract for Front Office Counter Services (FOCS). This contract runs to 2020 and is available to other Government departments. For example HM Passport Office recently moved its services with Post Office Ltd onto FOCS and this Department and the Cabinet Office are in close contact about a range of other opportunities.

Furthermore, Post Office Ltd was recently one of the successful bidders for the Cabinet Office's online identity assurance contract, ensuring that Post Office Ltd can play a role in the delivery of modern, online Government services.

Whilst I continue to highlight to my colleagues the opportunities available to Government from using the Post Office network and contracts such as these, individual contracts are a matter for the services in question and their respective public bodies and departments. I have not had recent discussions specifically with the Northern Ireland Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will undertake a comparative assessment of Government spending on apprenticeships in the UK and Germany.

A wide variety of public sources frequently make comparative assessment of international Apprenticeships systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what amount the Government spent on full-time students in technical colleges in 2013-14.

The funding available for adult further education and skills in 2013-14 financial year was £4.1bn of which £3.6bn was routed through the Skills Funding Agency to support the capacity for 3 million learners. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.

The funding available for apprenticeships in 2013-14 financial year was £1,566m of which £802m was provided by the Department for Education for those aged 16-18 and £764m was provided by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills for those aged 19 and over. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what amount his Department spent on all apprenticeships in 2013-14.

The funding available for adult further education and skills in 2013-14 financial year was £4.1bn of which £3.6bn was routed through the Skills Funding Agency to support the capacity for 3 million learners. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.

The funding available for apprenticeships in 2013-14 financial year was £1,566m of which £802m was provided by the Department for Education for those aged 16-18 and £764m was provided by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills for those aged 19 and over. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will undertake an assessment of the effects that pay between assignment contracts have on agency workers' pay.

The exact number of agency workers in the UK who are employed on pay between assignment contracts is not known. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills continues to monitor available evidence and is talking to relevant stakeholders to gather further information about the effects of pay between assignments contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much the Government spent on full-time university education for undergraduates in 2013-14.

Full-time undergraduate student support expenditure by the Student Loans Company for the 2013-14 financial year included £8.9bn of cash outlay on maintenance and fee loans and £1.9bn of grant expenditure (on maintenance grants and other allowances). These totals include expenditure on English-domiciled students in the UK and EU students in England.

For the financial year 2013-14, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) estimate that £2.1bn of the expenditure set out in the 2014 grant letter refers to teaching grant for full-time undergraduate study. It is not possible to calculate a full-time undergraduate share of every element of recurrent teaching grant such as Senior Professional pay, teaching strategy funding, institution-specific initiatives or additional funding for Equivalent Level Qualifications and vulnerable science subjects.

The figures do not include expenditure by other Governments departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will support the introduction of legislation at EU level to ensure that pay between assignment contracts does not result in agency workers being paid a lower wage than other employees.

There are no proposals for change to the relevant legislation on agency workers at EU level at this stage.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which statistics identified as high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office for National Statistics in consultation on statistical products 2013 have had funding secured for their compilation in 2014-15.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure that all statistics identified as high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office for National Statistics in its consultation on statistical products 2013 will continue to be funded for 2014-15.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2014 (Official Report) Column Ref: 470W.

12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held in relation to safety issues regarding civil vessels operating in close vicinity to (1) the Hunterston nuclear power station, and (2) nuclear power stations in general.

No discussions have been held specifically in relation to safety issues posed by civil vessels operating in close vicinity to any nuclear site.

Nuclear sites must comply with the UK’s stringent nuclear safety regulations, overseen by a robust and independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The primary responsibility for nuclear safety, and the assessment of potential risks to a nuclear licensed site from all hazards, rests with the licence holder – in this case Magnox for Hunterston A and EDF Energy for Hunterston B. Under the licence conditions, licensees are required to consider the effect of a wide range of potentially hazardous events (man-made and environmental) and demonstrate that any associated risks to the nuclear facility are manageable and will not result in catastrophic consequences within the nuclear facility’s risk assessment (known as the ‘safety case’).

The ONR would not permit any site to operate if it judged that its safety case was not sufficiently robust and demonstrated that it could operate and shutdown safely under hazardous conditions.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Office for Nuclear Regulation regarding the transportation of spent fuel rods recently discovered at the Hunterston nuclear power plant to the Sellafield nuclear power plant; and whether the spent fuel rods will now be transported to the Sellafield nuclear power plant.

The discovery of spent fuel at Hunterston A forms part of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) approved safety case and operating procedure for the retrieval activities associated with waste at the site. The discovered spent fuel remains in a safe and controlled environment at Hunterston A until a decision has been made, in conjunction with the ONR, about how they should be processed, packaged and stored prior to final disposal.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with EDF regarding safety issues at (1) Hunterston B, and (2) Hunterston A, nuclear power stations since 2015.

All generating nuclear power stations and nuclear decommissioning sites must comply with our stringent nuclear safety laws, overseen by a robust and independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

Hunterston B is a generating nuclear power station that is operated by EDF. BEIS officials meet regularly with EDF to discuss a range of matters relating to the generating fleet of power stations including relevant safety issues, performance of all stations including Hunterston B.

Hunterston A power station is being decommissioned. Magnox Limited, a subsidiary of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the site. BEIS officials meet regularly with NDA and Magnox Ltd staff to understand relevant safety issues, progress and performance at all Magnox sites including Hunterston A.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Scottish Government relating to radioactive waste held at the site of the Hunterston nuclear power station; and, in any such discussions, how they addressed existing radioactive waste policy.

Officials regularly engage with officials in the Scottish Government to discuss issues relating to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and to discuss the management of radioactive waste. BEIS officials also regularly engage with EDF and with Magnox Limited, who are respectively responsible for the Hunterston B and Hunterston A sites to discuss a range of matters, including any relevant issues relating to the management of radioactive waste. Policy on the management of radioactive waste is a devolved matter. While there are regular discussions between the Scottish Government and BEIS officials on radioactive waste management policy matters generally, there have been no recent specific discussions between the UK Government and the Scottish Government relating to radioactive waste held at the Hunterston site (A and B nuclear power stations).

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, and with whom, about the economic impact of the permanent closure of Hunterston B nuclear power station; and what steps they intend to take to ensure an economic investment package is put in place in view of job losses and the wider economic impact of that closure.

EDF Energy recently announced that Hunterston B would close no later than January 2022. EDF Energy, as owner and operator of the power station, is responsible for the management of the closure, in consultation with the nuclear regulator, including any related employment matters arising from closure and during the subsequent station decommissioning.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is working with EDF Energy and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to consider how efficient and cost-effective decommissioning of EDF Energy-owned nuclear power stations can be planned for and delivered in the future. This work does not affect the closure of the stations.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to prevent households which do not have a television receiving correspondence from the TV licensing Authority threatening them with legal action.

TV Licensing is responsible for all operational decisions regarding enforcement of the licence fee, including correspondence. Any changes to the enforcement regime, including outcomes from the TV Licence Fee Enforcement Review, would need to be considered as a part of the review of the BBC's Royal Charter.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the performance of the management of the Science Museum Group in relation to the restoration of the Flying Scotsman.

The Flying Scotsman has experienced past problems. Before embarking on the current stage of work, the management of the Science Museum Group commissioned an independent report from Bob Meanley, an expert in heritage railway engineering, which outlines how these problems arose and plans for future avoidance. I am confident that the project is now managed effectively. The report can be accessed on the Science Museum website http://www.nrm.org.uk/~/media/Files/NRM/PDF/NRM%20Flying%20Scotsman%20Final%20Report.pdf . I have asked the Science Museum Group to make contact with the Hon. Member regarding this query.
9th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the performance of the management of the Science Museum Group.

As with all of the national museums and galleries sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, I have every confidence in the capabilities of the executive team at the Science Museum Group. Since 2012, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester has become part of the Science Museum Group, and in 2013-14, a record 5.709 million visited its family of museums.

25th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will place in the Library a copy of the full report by First Class Partnerships on restoration of the Flying Scotsman conducted for the Science Museum Group and dated 27 February 2014.

The Final Report on the Independent Review of the proposed programme of works in the restoration of the Flying Scotsman Locomotive 4427 by First Class Partnerships Rail Consultants dated 27 February 2013 is published on the website of the National Railway Museum:http://www.nrm.org.uk/~/media/Files/NRM/PDF/NRM%20Flying%20Scotsman%20Final%20Report.pdf?keywords=first+class+partnerships.

The Report contained certain redactions relating to information which is regarded as being commercially sensitive in accordance with section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘FOIA’). Further redactions within the Report were made to protect the personal data of individuals in accordance with section 40 of FOIA and the Museum’s obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to give the Advertising Standards Agency the power to fine advertisers for serious breaches of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising.

Ofcom already has the power to fine advertisers for serious breaches of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising. The ASA is responsible for administering the Code of Broadcast Advertising, but is able to refer broadcasters to Ofcom for further action, including imposing fines, if needed. There are no plans to change this system.

11th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for extending school Christmas breaks to assist in containing the spread of COVID-19; and what plans, if any, they have to introduce such an extension.

The government continues to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our children and young people. It remains very important for children to continue attending school, to support their wellbeing and education, and help working parents and guardians. Senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be, and schools have implemented a range of protective measures to make them safe. We therefore do not have plans to ask schools to change their Christmas holidays, or close early this term.

24th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what resources her Department is providing for the reconstruction of Kobane.

No significant reconstruction is yet underway in Kobane, and unexploded ordnance continues to prove a real danger. In the current circumstances a humanitarian corridor is unlikely to be a viable or effective means of meeting needs, since the main obstacle to providing humanitarian aid to Kobane is unexploded ordnance.

24th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate a humanitarian corridor between Turkey and Kobane in order to ensure that adequate humanitarian supplies can pass into Kobane.

No significant reconstruction is yet underway in Kobane, and unexploded ordnance continues to prove a real danger. In the current circumstances a humanitarian corridor is unlikely to be a viable or effective means of meeting needs, since the main obstacle to providing humanitarian aid to Kobane is unexploded ordnance.