Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to including a representative from the British Airline Pilots Association to their Jet Zero Council membership.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
When the Jet Zero Council was established in July 2020, we sought to ensure that all relevant parts of the industry were represented, from airlines, airports, and aerospace manufacturers, to NGOs, academics, and start-ups.
To ensure that the Council remains at the forefront of driving zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation, we are currently reviewing the Council’s membership to ensure it reflects the expertise required to deliver this challenge. Though there will always be practical limits to the size of the Council, and we are not able to accommodate all individual requests for membership.
To support the delivery of the Jet Zero Council and allow wider participation in its work, we have established Delivery Groups focussed on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Zero Emission Flight (ZEF), which we encourage organisations with relevant interests to engage with.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that revoking the broadcasting licence of the Russian news channel RT may increase interest in its broadcasts.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
We welcome Ofcom’s independent decision to revoke RT’s licence to broadcast in the UK so that President Putin can no longer spread his regime’s lies on UK television. The Russian authorities must not be allowed to spread their insidious propaganda in the UK.
We will not hesitate to take any necessary action against any key individuals and bodies responsible for disseminating these lies and are exploring all options further to choke off this material in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they require biometric data from people seeking refugee status having fled from Ukraine; what assessment they have made of decision by the government of the Republic of Ireland not to require biometric information from such refugees; and what plans they have to review the Common Travel Area in response to this different approach.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The Home Secretary updated Parliament on 10 March about the government's support for people fleeing Ukraine.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretary-update-on-support-for-ukrainians
The UK Government is firmly committed to maintaining the Common Travel Area arrangement for UK and Irish citizens. There is a high level of cooperation on border security between both the UK and Irish Governments to ensure all the necessary measures to protect and secure the Common Travel Area are being taken.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they are making to the government of Turkey regarding (1) the United Nations' Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, and (2) the dismissal of Sait Erdal Dincer as head of the Turkish Statistical Institute.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
As an active UN member state, we encourage all countries in the UN to abide by these important guiding principles. We have not raised the dismissal of Mr Dincer with the Turkish authorities, as this is an internal matter for Turkey.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to reply to the letter from Lord Balfe to the Department for Health and Social Care of 14 December 2021, regarding their reply of 13 December 2021 on do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) notices.
Answered by Lord Kamall
We replied to the noble Lord on 9 February 2022.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Kamall (HL5606 and HL5607), whether, in the case of a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) notice being issued against the expressed wish of a patient or their family, (1) the patient, (2) their family, or (3) both, will be notified of the decision in good time for a second opinion and review to be sought and undertaken.
Answered by Lord Kamall
When a Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) decision is being made, the clinician should consider the patient’s wishes and every effort should be taken to reach an agreement with the patient or, if they lack capacity, their family or representative. If the patient or their family or representative do not agree with the decision, they should be given time to ask for a second opinion or review. This is in line with the National Health Service guidance for DNACPR decisions.
When a DNACPR decision is made the patient should also be told when it will be reviewed, and this is usually recorded on the DNACPR form. It is recommended that a DNACPR decision is reviewed each time a patient’s situation changes, for example when they leave hospital. If a patient is concerned about a DNACPR decision, they can contact their local Healthwatch to find out about how to get help making a complaint.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to remarks by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 15 November (HL Deb, col 16), what assessment they have made of the international arbitration tribunal’s rulings on the £400 million payment to be made to Iran; whether they intend to pay it; if so, when they will do so; and what assessment they have made of the example this case may set to other governments.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
I refer the noble. Lord to the answer I gave to the Rt Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford on 29 November 2021 to Question HL3988.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 9 November (HL3511), whether he will ask the appropriate committee of the House to make this facility for staff late-night travel home available on similar terms to Members of the House.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
As set out in my previous reply there are no current plans to make the facility available more widely on similar terms to Members of the House. The Noble Lord is welcome to submit his proposal directly to the Commission, should he so wish.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 17 October (HL3131), what plans he has to make this facility for staff late night travel home available on similar terms to Members of the House.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Deputy Speakers and Deputy Chairmen on duty in the Chamber are able to take a taxi when they are on duty and the House sits past 10.40pm, with costs covered up to a linear distance of 25 miles. The same limit applies to staff late night travel. There are no current plans to make the facility available more widely on similar terms to Members of the House.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have given advice and direction to GPs on their mandatory working hours; and what assessment they have made of whether GPs working their mandatory hours would lead to a reduction in the number of patients referred to Accident and Emergency departments without first being seen by their GP.
Answered by Lord Kamall
We have provided no such advice or direction as general practitioners are independent contractors with no mandatory working hours Therefore, no specific assessment has been made.