Sport: Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord St John of Bletso

Monday 23rd July 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I do not think “Love Island” has been officially classified as a sport yet. However, this is not the first time I have had to answer questions on “Love Island” and I take the noble Lord’s point. Image and performance-enhancing drugs, IPEDs, are a problem. UK Anti-Doping, the Government, educational authorities and sports’ governing bodies have to educate young people from an early age on the effects of these drugs and explain and inculcate a values-based system so that healthy nutrition, exercise, sleep and so on—healthy training, if you like—is the most important thing, not drugs.

[Lord St John of Bletso (CB)]

My Lords, can the noble Lord elaborate on what international collaborative intelligence-gathering agreements are in place to monitor the distribution of IPEDs?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

UK Anti-Doping is a subsidiary body of the World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, and talks internationally. I do not know the specifics—I am not sure I necessarily want to comment—but it is an international effort to remove the scourge of doping at all international and national sporting events.

Distributed Ledger Technologies

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord St John of Bletso

Wednesday 18th July 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord St John of Bletso (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that if a blockchain platform were to be applied to our international aid programme, it could provide far more transparency and accountability?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

As I said, the evaluations are at too early a stage to say. Projects are being undertaken, however, and the Department for International Development is one of those undertaking a proof of concept at the moment.

Communications Data

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord St John of Bletso

Tuesday 15th September 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I completely agree with the noble Lord. Nobody is suggesting that communication services providers should have executive powers. All I said in answer to the previous question was that we consulted. The Home Secretary is perfectly aware that she is accountable. I assure the House that she takes that responsibility very seriously, as did previous Home Secretaries.

[Lord St John of Bletso (CB)]

My Lords, in light of the recent revelation that ISIS hackers were potentially able to intercept key public sector emails, how often is the public network architecture reviewed to avoid these cybersecurity threats?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

My Lords, the simple answer is that I do not know, but I will find out and write to the noble Lord.