Lord Hylton Portrait

Lord Hylton

Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary

Became Member: 6th June 1968

Left House: 27th July 2023 (Retired)


Lord Hylton is not a member of any APPGs
1 Former APPG membership
Friends of Syria
Committee of Selection (Lords)
4th Dec 2008 - 26th Apr 2013


Division Voting information

Lord Hylton has voted in 484 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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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
Lord Bates (Conservative)
(46 debate interactions)
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(33 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Home Office
(113 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(22 debate contributions)
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Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Hylton, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Lord Hylton has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Hylton has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

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Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
15 Other Department Questions
20th May 2021
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are to resume physical-only proceedings in (1) the Chamber, and (2) select committees, once the majority of members and Administration staff have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The House of Lords Commission, which has responsibility for setting the strategic direction in this area, met on 25 May and had a preliminary discussion of these matters. The Commission discussion was informed by the debate on hybrid proceedings held in the Chamber on 20 May and was followed by a meeting of the Procedure and Privileges Committee, on 26 May, at which an initial consideration of procedural implications was undertaken. Proposals and options will be developed ahead of further anticipated deliberation at June meetings of the House of Lords Commission, Procedure and Privileges Committee and Liaison Committee. Decisions will continue to be informed by the latest Government guidance and advice from Public Health England. Finally, and most importantly, the House will be invited to consider motions in due course to agree Chamber and Grand Committee procedures moving forwards.

14th Dec 2020
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker why College Green has been closed; and when it is estimated that access will be permitted.

Abingdon Green was closed as a pedestrian thoroughfare on Monday 23 November while Westminster City Council complete essential security works at the perimeter at the Great College Street end, and will reopen on Friday 18 December. Access into and out of Abingdon Green will continue from the north (Jewel Tower) end. This is the first phase of essential security work being undertaken by Westminster City Council and subsequent closures might be expected later in 2021. These works are considered to be vital to protecting the security of Parliament and the surrounding area.

15th Nov 2018
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the disruption caused by the media’s use of College Green; and what consideration, if any, is being given to the establishment of a permanent media centre elsewhere on the Parliamentary Estate.

Abingdon Green is owned by the House of Commons but day to day access is delegated by the Clerk of the House to Black Rod. Current policy is to allow public access to the Green to enable them to pass through on the paths or to use it as a recreational space. Because of the unique views that the Green affords to Parliament, we also allow the media to use the Green for the contemporaneous news reporting of events within Parliament on the basis that this is an important way of communicating to the public the political issues that are taking place. We do not permit protests or campaigning on the Green.

There are occasions when events in Parliament create exceptional media activity and demand for broadcasting space on the Green. When this occurs, we conduct a careful assessment on whether to prioritise broadcasting over public access and where the balance of public interest lies. Although we prefer to maintain dual use of the Green by public and media, on some occasions we assess that reporting from the Green must be prioritised and that it is necessary to close it to the public for safety reasons. Not to do so would limit the ability of a wide section of the broadcast media, both national, international and radio to provide high quality coverage of unfolding events in Parliament and interview the politicians involved in a secure manner.

Regarding a permanent media centre, no consideration is currently being given to this. Most media (including broadcast) arrangements are covered through the existing press lobby arrangements. Under this, nominated members of the media are accredited with membership of the Press Gallery and allocated desk space within the House of Commons and given press passes which allow access to the building. This is a long standing arrangement administered by the House of Commons with well understood rules which enables open media access to Parliament to be maintained within manageable levels.

Additionally, as well as Abingdon Green, there are broadcast points within both Houses which are used by UK domestic broadcasters for the reporting of Parliamentary business.

24th Apr 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assurances they have received from other Commonwealth countries that those governments will work to prevent persecution of individuals and groups; what assessment they have made of those assurances; how the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, will be implemented; and over what period of time that implementation will take place.

We welcome the agreement by leaders at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in London that the full social, economic and political participation of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status, is essential for democracy and sustainable development to thrive, as expressed in the official communique.


​We also welcome Heads' commitments to continued action to prevent barriers to the development and full realisation of all ​girls’ and women’s human rights. They also committed to ratify and implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, through legislation, policies and programmes that mainstream and promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in social, economic and political life​.

The UK will continue to support work towards a fairer, more inclusive Commonwealth during its period as Chair-in-Office, including through a programme working with civil society groups which will support countries wishing to reform outdated legislation on sexual orientation and gender identity, and on women's rights.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
8th Sep 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent the partial embargo imposed in 2014 on military supplies and equipment for Israel has been lifted; what was the reason for this decision; and whether the matter was considered by the Cabinet.

There was no partial embargo imposed in 2014 on military supplies and equipment for Israel. However, a review of licences in circulation at the outbreak of hostilities in July 2014 identified 12 export licences the Government would suspend, as a precautionary measure, in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities. The Government was concerned that in these circumstances it would be unable to clarify whether the export licensing criteria were being met. This was announced on 12 August 2014.

The results of a further review were announced on 14 July 2015 (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/review-of-export-licensing-procedures-for-israel) and concluded that 11 months after the establishment of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, there was now sufficient information from a wide variety of sources to apply standard export licensing procedures using the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria without any additional measures such as the precautionary measure adopted in August 2014.

The specific details of the review were not considered by the Cabinet. This is because export licensing policy is set by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. In setting this policy the Secretary of State always seeks and takes into account advice from other Cabinet colleagues, including the Foreign and Defence Secretaries.

1st Jun 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the exports and overseas licensing of technology designed to reduce the impact of climate change.

The Government actively supports British companies to export products and services that reduce the impact of climate change. For example, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) helps UK companies to win export business in the offshore wind, other renewables and nuclear sectors. This approach is consistent with the Government’s overall climate change policy.

27th Feb 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their view on Ukraine having free-trade agreements with both the European Union and Russia.

We are a not opposed to Ukraine having a free trade agreement with the Russian Federation if it wishes to do so.

An Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union has been signed and ratified by both the Ukrainian and European parliaments. The Association Agreement establishes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which is due to come into force from 1st January 2016. Under the terms of the DCFTA, 98.1% of the value Ukrainian exports to the EU will become tariff-free. Additionally, Ukraine is required to take steps to modernise its trade relations by undertaking certain economic reforms and aligning a number of its industrial regulations and standards with those of the European Union.

Ukraine is also a signatory to the Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area (CISFTA). Established in October 2011, this is a free trade area between Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Ukraine. The EU-Ukraine DCFTA does not stop Ukraine from remaining within this free trade area.

Separately from the CISFTA, Russia has established the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) with a number of its neighbours. Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Russia are currently members. The EEU unifies its members’ import tariffs, customs regimes and a number of industrial regulations and standards. Therefore it is not possible for Ukraine to be a party, simultaneously, to both the EU-Ukraine DCFTA, which eliminates tariffs on most goods to and from the EU, and the EEU, which would require Ukraine to apply the same tariff rates as applied by Russia and the other EEU members.

However, this does not prevent Ukraine from maintaining or entering into free trade agreements with other countries or blocs, including the EEU; it leaves Ukraine free to determine its own trade policy.

27th Feb 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will propose that the European Union removes all customs duties on Ukrainian exports, and provides technical assistance to Ukrainian companies wishing to enter the European market.

Ukraine already benefits from autonomous trade preferences which enable most Ukrainian goods to enter the EU market free from import tariffs. In April 2014, the EU unilaterally eliminated or reduced its customs duties on goods originating from Ukraine; for instance, EU import tariffs were removed immediately for 94.7% of industrial products from Ukraine. These autonomous trade preferences have now been extended, so that they will apply for 2015, after which the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) is due to be applied. Under the terms of the DCFTA, 98.1% of the value Ukrainian exports to the EU will become tariff-free. The UK has given its full support for these measures.

The EU is providing significant financial and technical assistance to support Ukraine, including help with economic reform and political stabilisation. In addition to our £4.35 million share of these EU and other multilateral efforts. The UK has also committed a further £1.4 million bilaterally this financial year for humanitarian support in Ukraine. On 23 February, the Prime Minister announced that the UK will release £15 million in emergency assistance for Ukraine. Furthermore, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the British Embassy in Kyiv continue to work closely with the Ukrainian government across a broad range of issues to improve our trade and business links.

21st Jan 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage tariff reductions, labour mobility, mutual recognition of university degrees, trade integration and increased exports, throughout the Arab world.

The UK is taking steps both bilaterally and in the European Union to support stronger economic ties with Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries.

The Gulf Cooperation Council suspended negotiations with the EU in 2008. However, the UK is working closely with European partners to build on existing Association Agreements (AA) in the region through the Union for the Mediterranean which brings together the EU and 15 countries of the MENA and Southern Mediterranean region. This work is an opportunity to reduce tariffs and further open up these markets for British businesses. The UK has also supported the opening of trade talks with Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt. Of these, the most advanced trade talks are with Morocco; very recently an agreement was concluded to protect Geographical Indications (GIs).

UK Trade and Investment also has offices throughout the region working with business to increase UK exports, including a Middle East and North Africa marketing hub in Dubai. The Gulf region is also one of the priorities in the Government’s strategy for international education. In this regard the Government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education and Research with Kuwait (June 2014), and one on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications with the UAE (May 2013).

4th Dec 2014
To ask the Chairman of Committees how much income is received per year for permissions to the media for temporary structures on College Green.

Abingdon Green is owned by the House of Commons, although its utilisation is managed by Black Rod. The House of Lords does not receive any income for temporary structures used by the media on College Green.

30th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government when hydraulic fracturing for natural gas begins in the north Somerset coal-field and the Mendip Hills; what safeguards will be enforced to prevent contamination of (1) the Bath hot springs, (2) the Cheddar Gorge caves and underground water-courses, and (3) all other local water supplies; and who will be responsible for such safeguards.

There are no current proposals for hydraulic fracturing operations in the areas of Bath or the Cheddar Gorge.

Planning applications for onshore oil and gas development (including shale gas) must be subject to consultation with the local community and with relevant statutory consultation bodies such as the Environment Agency before the mineral planning authority takes a decision. Any decision must take account of all relevant planning issues. In this context, the National Planning Policy Framework states that, when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should give great weight to the asset's conservation.

The National Policy Framework also advises that any proposed development on land within or outside a Site of Special Scientific Interest, such as Cheddar Gorge, should not normally be permitted if it is likely to have an adverse effect on the Site (either individually or in combination with other developments).

I can also confirm that there are other regulatory controls which would need to be satisfied if any application for oil and gas development received planning permission. There are administered by the Environment Agency, the HSE and the Department. These controls will ensure that all prospective threats to the environment, or to safety, are effectively controlled. In particular, the Environment Agency will not permit any activity which might pose a threat to groundwater.

24th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to end the abuse and exploitation of domestic workers in the United Kingdom, especially those from overseas; what means they will use to ensure that such workers have contracts of employment and are regularly paid at least the minimum wage; and whether such protection can extend to the employees of foreign diplomats.

The UK already provides comprehensive employment and social protections to domestic workers and as a rule, domestic workers in the UK are entitled to the same employment rights as workers generally – including the National Minimum Wage (unless they are treated as if they are a member of the family), statutory sick pay, paid annual leave, protections from discrimination and unfair dismissals as well as other protections.

We are fully committed to ensuring that domestic workers are able to access their rights. Anyone who believes they are being mistreated by their employer in any way has access to a number of organisations who can help including the police, the Pay and Work Rights Helpline and Employment Tribunals.

The Government is also focused on ensuring that overseas domestic workers are informed about their rights and immigration and borders staff are trained to recognise potential victims of abuse. Overseas domestic workers must have been employed for 12 months before a visa will be granted and must have a signed statement of terms and conditions of employment in line with the National Minimum Wage legislation. Every overseas domestic worker is also provided with a letter informing them of their rights in the UK and where to get help if needed. This letter is provided in a range of languages as well as English.

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, all foreign diplomats in the UK are required to respect our laws, including employment regulations. The FCO treats any allegation of mistreatment of staff in diplomatic households very seriously. Any allegations that the law has been broken are investigated by the police and the FCO will take appropriate steps to assist the investigation which may include requesting the withdrawal of diplomatic immunity.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Jun 2014
To ask the Chairman of Committees what proportion of the food used in the House of Lords is (1) grown in the home counties; and (2) drawn from organic and whole-food sources.

The House of Lords does not draw any of its food from organic sources nor is any of the food offered categorised as “whole-food”. Fruit and vegetables used by the House sourced from the home counties are set out in the table below. Free-range chicken served in the House is mostly from Gloucestershire and Essex. The Salt Marsh lamb is from the Romney Marsh in Kent.

Produce

Source county

Asparagus

Hampshire

Beetroot

Bedfordshire

Bramley apple

Cambridgeshire

Cauliflower

Kent

Herbs (potted)

Hampshire

Jacket potatoes

Hertfordshire

New potatoes

Kent

Raspberries

Sussex

Red potatoes

Kent

Spring greens

Cambridgeshire

Strawberries

Kent

Tomatoes (gourmet)

Sussex

Vitelotte potatoes

Kent

4th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enforce the National Minimum Wage, and in particular to protect the employees of agencies and those on zero-hours contracts from exploitation.

The Government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it.

HMRC enforces the National Minimum Wage for all workers. This includes agency workers and those on zero hour contracts. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights helpline. In addition, HMRC conducts risk-based enforcement in sectors or areas where there is a higher risk of workers not getting paid the legal minimum wage.

The Government is taking a tougher approach on employers that break National Minimum Wage law and has already made it simpler to name and shame employers that break NMW law. The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
3rd Sep 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 30 July (HL17215), whether it is their policy to prosecute brothel owners and managers when women are removed to detention centres from their premises, in view of the probability of offences of trafficking or slavery.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

16th Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prosecutions of brothel owners or managers are (1) pending, and (2) completed, following the removal of women from their premises to Yarl's Wood and other detention centres.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of prosecutions of defendants charged with offences of keeping a brothel or of controlling prostitution. This information could only be obtained by a manual examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

While the CPS does not collect data on defendants prosecuted by specific offence or the outcome of any prosecution, information is available for the number of offences concerning the keeping or management of brothels and controlling prostitution, in which a prosecution commenced at magistrates’ courts. The table below shows the number of these offences recorded on the CPS’s Case Management System in each financial year over the last ten years.

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018

Sexual Offences Act 1956 { 33 }

83

39

48

35

31

19

19

28

24

9

Sexual Offences Act 1956 { 33A }

130

70

106

92

54

31

72

75

63

63

Sexual Offences Act 2003 { 52 }

17

11

24

19

11

9

25

13

7

32

Sexual Offences Act 2003 { 53 }

93

87

87

61

39

49

58

87

92

64

TOTAL

323

207

265

207

135

108

174

203

186

168

Data Source: CPS Management Information System

It should be noted that the figures relate to the number of offences and not the number of individual defendants. It is often the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one offence against the same victim.

4th Sep 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what information, if any, they have received from North Africa, the Middle East and Europe about successful prosecutions for offences connected with trafficking in persons; and if none, whether they will call for better intelligence sharing about such crimes.

There is no information held about successful prosecutions for offences connected with trafficking in persons in North Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

However, the UK shares relevant information on organised immigration crime (OIC) with partners in source, transit and destination countries for illegal migration. This takes place both on a bilateral basis and through the European Migrant Smuggling Centre within Europol.

Through the multi-agency Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce, the government is improving the intelligence picture around OIC, modern slavery and human trafficking, undermining the criminal business model and building the capacity of upstream law enforcement partners to tackle the threat.

The police transformation program includes an analytical team, the Joint Slavery and Trafficking Analysis Centre (JSTAC) which is building and developing the strategic intelligence picture by improving data collection and focused analysis of the information gathered. To aid in international dissemination of information, a seconded national expert to Europol to coordinate activity between UK law enforcement and European counterparts during cross-border investigations has been implemented.

9th Jan 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many successful prosecutions for corruption overseas there have been of (1) British companies, and (2) individuals, in the last five years.

Official data regarding prosecutions are held by the Ministry of Justice, but the department does not record it in a form which allows it to distinguish between overseas bribery and domestic bribery.

Whilst not official data, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) record data for their own management information purposes. In the last five years, the SFO has successfully prosecuted three British companies and 10 individuals, nine of whom were British citizens, for bribery or corruption overseas (offences under the Bribery Act 2010 or the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906).

In addition to this the SFO has secured three Deferred Prosecution Agreements with British companies in the past two years for overseas corruption offences. The first agreement included a financial penalty of $25m, plus SFO’s full costs; the second resulted in financial orders of £6.6m and the most recent one was for £497.25m plus interest, as well as a payment of the SFO’s full costs.

CPS’s data measures the outcome of prosecutions against defendants but not on the outcome against individual offences. This information could only be obtained by examining CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

19th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to respond to the letter from Lord Hylton to the Prime Minister dated 11 July, calling for a UN inquiry into the conditions in which Mr Abdullah Ocalan is being held in Turkey, and in particular into threats to his life.

The Prime Minister's office has no record of receiving this correspondence. If Lord Hylton would kindly like to supply a further copy, a reply will be sent.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
27th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it is their current practice not to show incoming Ministers the recent letters to their predecessors, in particular when these have not been sent replies; and whether they will review this matter.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence. It is current practice to show incoming Ministers letters when a response has not yet been issued.

Individual departments are responsible for maintaining their own performance records when new Ministers are appointed to the department.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
13th Jan 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the forthcoming Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review will incorporate Britain’s role and involvement in (1) the Council of Europe, (2) the OSCE and its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, (3) the Inter-Parliamentary Union, (4) the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and (5) other multilateral agencies.

The Integrated Security Defence and Foreign Policy Review was announced in the Queen's Speech to reassess the nation’s place in the world. The review will examine how we strengthen and prioritise our alliances, diplomacy and development. It will also deliver against the government’s ambition to extend our diplomatic network; reinvigorate relationships with Europe; and seek to strengthen old and new partnerships across the world.

Earl Howe
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
12th Dec 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tackle the social injustices identified in the statement made by the Prime Minister at the EU Council on 25 November.

The government has demonstrated its commitment to tackling social injustices through the Race Disparity Audit, the LGBT Action Plan, the Taylor Review and a number of other actions taken to confront issues such as gender inequality, poverty and low standards of education.

4th Sep 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent or invested by the UK Prosperity Fund in the Philippines in the (1) current, and (2) previous two years; and what impact this has had on increasing employment, establishing minimum wages and conditions, and reducing the need for the emigration of workers.

The Prosperity Fund (PF) has spent the following in the Philippines over the last three years:

2016/17

£507,452

2017/18

£58,099

2018/19 (estimated up to Aug 2018)

£83,653

Project activity has covered a number of areas including health, urban development and disaster protection, and includes preparatory work for larger programmes shortly to be approved. It is too early to fully assess impact.

9th Oct 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of workers (1) employed on zero-hours contracts, and (2) working in other forms of insecure temporary employment; and what percentage those workers represent of the total workforce aged 18 to 65.

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

16th Nov 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to publish evidence given to the Muslim Brotherhood Review; and if so, when, and whether they will state which items are omitted.

The Government does not intend to publish evidence given to its internal Review of the Muslim Brotherhood. A Written Ministerial Statement outlining the Review’s main findings was issued on 17 December 2015.

18th May 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that central government procurement policies are used whenever possible to create jobs with training for people from disadvantaged areas or with individual handicaps.

The Public Contracts Regulations (2015) allow Contracting Authorities to reserve contracts for sheltered workshops and suppliers whose main aim is the social and professional integration of disabled or disadvantaged persons, or provide for such contracts to be performed in the context of sheltered employment programmes.

17th Nov 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many directly employed government staff currently receive less than the Living Wage.

Every employer in the country will pay the National Living Wage, including all Government departments and their contractors.


The latest data available suggests that 867 current Civil Servants will benefit directly from the National Living Wage from April 2016 as announced by the Chancellor. We estimate that over 20,000 employees will benefit by the end of this parliament.

17th Nov 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that contract staff in all government departments receive the Living Wage at the appropriate rate.

Every employer in the country will pay the National Living Wage, including all Government contractors, from April 2016.

9th Nov 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of how many people were on zero-hours contracts in each year since 2010.

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

2nd Jun 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many vacant houses and flats are owned by government departments or agencies; and what plans they have either to bring them into use or to redevelop their sites.

The Government Property Unit in the Cabinet Office is working with departments to reduce vacant space across the estate.

Since May 2010, we have reduced our Estate by 2 million square metres, saving over £625 million in running costs and generating £1.4 billion in capital receipts. On 31st March 2014 only 2.4% (204,327 sq m) of space was vacant across the mandated Civil Estate, well below the reported national average of 8.8%.

Information on the number of vacant houses and flats owned by departments or their agencies is not held centrally.

2nd Jun 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when and how they plan to reply to the 19 May letter to the Prime Minister from Taxpayers Against Poverty.

As far as I am aware, the Prime Minister's Office has not received this letter.

6th Oct 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish Sir John Jenkins’ report on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Work is under way across Government to consider the findings of the Muslim Brotherhood review. We will make the main findings of the review public in due course.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
7th Jul 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to help the Beachy Head Chaplaincy team to continue its work in preventing suicides on the cliffs; and in particular whether they will assist it to receive lottery, European Union and voluntary grants.

We are keen to recognise the valuable role played by organisations such as the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team (BHCT). The charity was recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Government has been working with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Big Lottery Fund to enable more local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to access the new round of European Structural and Investment Funds. Funding decisions will be a matter for Big Lottery Fund.

BCHT may wish to consider applying for Big Lottery Fund programmes, such as the ‘Reaching Communities’ programme in England, which provides funding for projects that help people and communities most in need.

Cabinet Office officials are currently consulting on a proposed £40m fund for 2015/16 to help charities and social enterprises become more sustainable.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
17th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to re-nationalise public utilities to provide water, electricity and gas in instances where there are, in effect, natural monopolies and limited choice or representation for consumers.

The government has no plans to re-nationalise the water, electricity, or gas industries. Properly regulated markets, which incentivise private capital to invest in the energy and water systems, provide the best outcome for consumers and promote market competition as the best driver of efficiency, innovation, and value.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to support any deep geothermal pilot projects to provide power and heating, whether by tax relief, indirect investment or otherwise.

Geothermal technologies that generate electricity are eligible for the Contracts for Difference scheme, which is the Government’s main mechanism for supporting low carbon electricity generation. The application window for the next Allocation Round opened on 30th March 2023 and concludes in Summer.

Funding support is available for heat network projects using deep geothermal from The Green Heat Network Fund which offers capital grants to support the commercialisation and construction of new low and zero carbon heat networks. It has recently awarded Cornwall Council £22 million for the Langarth Deep Geothermal Heat Network which is the UK’s first deep geothermal project.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Sep 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are making maximum use of electricity inter-connectors with (1) France, (2) Norway, (3) Iceland, and (4) other countries; and to what extent such use helps limit price increases.

Great Britain has electricity interconnectors with France (4 GW), Norway (1.4 GW), Belgium (1 GW), the Netherlands (1 GW) and the island of Ireland (1 GW). There are currently no electricity interconnectors to Iceland.

The Government works closely with National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) and the transmission system operators of all connected countries to ensure that the maximum interconnector capacity is available for use.

Increased interconnection promotes competition, leading to reduced consumer bills. Ofgem estimated the net total quantifiable impact on GB consumer welfare to be greater than £20 billion for projects under their regulatory regime, to date.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Dec 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of calls by the President of the United States and NGOs to waive intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines.

Intellectual Property rights have been critical in underpinning innovators’ confidence to form over 300 partnerships - an unprecedented number - which have made real, positive impacts on vaccine delivery; examples include AstraZeneca and the Serum Institute of India, and Pfizer-BioNTech and BIOVAC in South Africa. These examples show what is possible when the right partners work together and share technology.

While we must continue to ensure vaccine production needs are met globally, the WHO news release of 7 October made it clear that, “With global vaccine production now at nearly 1.5 billion doses per month, there is sufficient vaccine from a supply perspective to achieve global vaccination targets”. We must therefore also focus on issues of distribution and delivery to successfully vaccinate the globe.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th May 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to assess the risks of any increase in the number of satellites in low-orbit, including the risks of (1) light pollution, and (2) debris.

Her Majesty’s Government are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space and take our international responsibilities around debris mitigation very seriously. The Government is committed to regularly reviewing and assessing risks and uses a robust methodology to ensure that risks are up to date and understood.

In carrying out safety assessments under its current licensing process, the UK Space Agency considers operators’ collision avoidance and debris mitigation measures as conducted throughout the entire time the spacecraft remains in orbit around the Earth.

The Government also actively participates in a number of multi-lateral fora, including the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Subcommittees and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), alongside a number of bodies defining safety standards. Within these forums, the Government works collaboratively with its international partners to define the best practice and associated guidelines that will ensure space is accessible for future generations.

We are also working with satellite operators, the Royal Astronomical Society, the European Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union to understand the impacts of the artificial light generated by satellites and clarify what actions could be taken to mitigate interference for the UK community and our international partners. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, alongside the UK Space Agency, will continue to support the UK science and astronomy community.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to reduce and, if possible, (2) to eliminate, the flaring of surplus gas from production platforms and refineries before COP26.

The Government continues to support measures in place to continue the reduction in flared and vented gas, via both the individual actions of the relevant regulators and collaborative engagement to share learning and identify further improvements on this practice.

The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is taking a robust stance to reduce flaring and venting from oil and gas production platforms through its consents, field development process and project stewardship role. The OGA issues consents for flaring and venting of gas on extant licences, where necessary for safety purposes, and is exploring tougher measures as part of this process, to eliminate unnecessary flaring and venting. The OGA has also expanded its benchmarking activity to the flaring and venting of greenhouse gases on the UK Continental Shelf – detailing flaring and venting activity levels in the North Sea – to enable operators to learn from good examples set by others.

In 2018, the Environment Agency reissued its environmental permits for oil & gas refineries under the Environmental Permitting Regulations to reflect the revised European standard limiting the use of flares for safety reasons or for non-routine operational conditions only, alongside several techniques for reducing emissions to air when flaring is unavoidable.

Furthermore, the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is responsible for developing, administering and enforcing the offshore oil and gas environmental regulatory regime. As the Regulator for the environment, OPRED is charged with protecting the environment, and issuing permits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme which provides a fiscal regime for emissions reduction.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a national fuel fund to support those unable to meet gas and electricity bills.

We have no current plans to establish a national fuel fund.

The Government provides support to those struggling with their gas and electricity bills through:

• The Warm Home Discount, which provides a £140 rebate to more than two million households;

• Winter Fuel Payments, that provides £200-300 to pensioners, ensuring that they can keep warm during the colder months; and

• Cold Weather Payments, which were automatically provided to more than one million households during winter 2018-19.

In addition, the default tariff cap protects all consumers on default tariffs from being overcharged and Ofgem’s safeguard price cap protects consumers on pre-payment meter tariffs.

The most sustainable approach to decreasing energy bills is improving energy efficiency.

• The Energy Company Obligation drives £640 million of investment annually into improving the efficiency of low income and vulnerable households.

• The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards require landlords spend up to £3500 (including VAT) improving their rented properties to EPC Band E.

5th Dec 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Henley on 4 December (HL Deb, col 850), what steps they intend to take to manage the risk of high electricity costs arising from the Hinkley Point C plant, particularly with regard to (1) poor people, and (2) commercial users.

The strike price for Hinkley Point C (HPC) is fixed at £92.50 (2012 prices, rising with CPI inflation) for each megawatt hour (MWh) generated over the first 35 years of operation. The strike price is made up of a combination of wholesale market prices and a levy on consumer energy bills and ensures that consumers will pay no more than this for electricity from HPC during the contract period. When wholesale prices rise above the strike price the developer will need to repay the difference. When shared across consumers (households and businesses), payments under the Contract for Difference will amount to around £12 of the average household bill over 2026 – 2030 (based on 2012 prices).

This Government is committed to tackling fuel poverty. In line with our commitment to upgrade fuel poor homes to band C by 2030 we are taking action to support households in fuel poverty. The Warm Home Discount provides over 2 million low income and vulnerable households each year with a £140 rebate on their energy bills, including this winter. Since April, 70% of the £640m per year Energy Company Obligation has been focused on low income households through the Affordable Warmth part of the scheme. It will upgrade the energy efficiency of over 300,000 homes per year, tackling the root cause of fuel poverty. We are also safeguarding the competitiveness of those energy intensive industries particularly exposed to the additional costs arising from the Contract for Difference by exempting them from a proportion of these costs. An exemption scheme allows for real-time changes in energy use to be taken into account and provides certainty to business.

9th Oct 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the social and economic consequences of restricting zero-hours contracts to students and pensioners.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question UIN HL893 that states that the government has not made an estimate of the social and economic consequences of restricting zero hours contracts to students and pensioners.

The government has not assessed the social and economic consequences of restricting zero hours contracts to students and pensioners. The Matthew Taylor review found that zero hours contracts have a part to play in a modern, flexible labour market and benefit those who cannot or do not want to work in a regular contract.

However, this government shares the concerns regarding flexible work arrangements. That is why in October 2016 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asked Matthew Taylor to carry out an independent review to consider employment practices and whether they need to change to keep pace with modern business models. We are now considering the report and will respond in full later in the year.

17th Jul 2017
Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the social and economic consequences of restricting zero-hours contracts to students and pensioners.

Government has not made an estimate of the social and economic consequences of restricting zero hour contracts to students and pensioners.

Further to my oral statement in the House on 11 July regarding the publication of the independent Review of Modern Working Practices by Matthew Taylor, the Review concluded that the UK has employment levels and rates that are at historic highs. It also concluded that the UK is widely recognised as having one of the most flexible labour markets in the world and many people working on atypical contracts value the flexibility that they bring and choose to work this way.

17th Jul 2017
Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the TUC estimate that some 500,000 workers are on zero-hours contracts or in insecure temporary employment; and what percentage of the total workforce aged 21 to 65 this represents.

The latest ONS Labour Force Survey shows that the number of people who report they are on a ‘zero hour contract’ in their main employment was 905,000 in the 4th quarter of 2016, which represents 2.8% of those in employment ages 16-65+, with nearly 70% happy with their hours.

Due to the age categories in which ONS reports this data, it is not possible to get a figure for 21 to 65 years old.

17th Jul 2017
Her Majesty's Government how many workers aged 21 to 65 are recognised as self-employed; and what percentage of the total workforce this represents.

The latest ONS Labour Force Survey shows the number of people reporting to be self-employed was 4.8 million in the 4th quarter of 2016.

Due to the age categories in which ONS reports this data, it is not possible to get a figure for 21 to 65 year olds.

However, as a proportion of the total number of people in employment (31,713,000), self-employed people between the ages of 25 and 64 account for 13.1% of total employment. Self-employed people between the ages of 18 and 64 account for 13.7% of total employment.

11th Jul 2017
Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Lord Prior of Brampton on 11 July (HL Deb) on Good work: the Taylor review of modern working practices, why no reference was made to zero-hours contracts; what consideration they are giving to increasing the level of employment rights protections afforded to workers employed under such contracts towards the level afforded to full-time workers, or the self-employed; and whether they intend to introduce a right to weekly guaranteed minimum paid hours.

The oral statement referred to was to bring to the notice of the House the publication of the independent Matthew Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices. Zero hours contracts are just one example of a working practice in the UK labour market and Matthew in his review has considered the labour market as a whole. I refer the noble Lord to the full transcript of the statement where zero hours contracts are discussed.

This Government will give the report the careful consideration it deserves and will respond in full later this year.

18th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to develop an internet service provider children protection policy; and what plans they have to require British telecommunications companies to demonstrate that they are taking steps to block child pornography wherever they operate or invest.

The government has no plans to develop a specific internet service provider child protection policy.

Tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse is a priority for the new online safety regulatory framework. All companies in scope will need to ensure that illegal content is removed expeditiously and that the risk of it appearing is minimised through effective systems.

Internet service providers will not be in scope of the duty of care. This is because they do not directly host user generated content or provide search engine services. It would not be proportionate to impose duties on such companies as they do not control if, or how, content is hosted or promoted. Subjecting them to new duties could incentivise broad blocking or removal of websites or apps, which would pose significant risks to freedom of expression and users’ ability to access services. However, they will have duties with regard to enforcement action and Ofcom will be able to require these services, where appropriate, to cooperate with business disruption measures.

Furthermore, the government will produce voluntary best practice guidance for infrastructure service providers, setting out where their actions can help identify and prevent child sexual exploitation and abuse. This guidance will be separate from the online harms regime.

Pornography is a legal activity amongst consenting adults. Children cannot consent to sexual activity under UK law, and “child pornography” is an inappropriate description of illegal sexual abuse. The terms used in the UK are indecent imagery of children (IIOC) or child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)