Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the National School of Government was closed, and whether they have any plans to establish an equivalent institution in place of Civil Service Learning and the Government Campus.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The National School of Government was closed in 2012 by the previous administration.
We are currently considering what approach to training will best ensure the civil service has the skills needed to support the delivery of the government’s priorities.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish examples of any communications from Government departments to representatives of industries and companies which set conditions of non-disclosure before meetings between those representatives and Her Majesty's Government.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
Many meetings between officials and suppliers regarding commercial matters are discussions relating to a specific contract. In this case, the confidentiality of any information exchanged is governed by clauses within the specific contract.
Where discussions cover topics related to more than one contract and relate to particularly sensitive matters or the exchange of commercially sensitive material those discussions may need the protection of a specific non-disclosure agreement. The Government Legal Department has recently produced a standard form of non-disclosure agreement which is recommended for use by Departments in these situations. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-disclosure-agreements
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU to the House of Lords EU Select Committee on 31 October, what estimate they have made of the annual cost of recruiting 8,000 new civil servants to deal with the changes and obligations that they anticipate will arise because of Brexit; which departments will require the new staff; and what specialist roles will be filled.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The whole of Government is preparing for the UK to make an orderly and successful exit from the European Union, and we are equipping ourselves with the right people and the right skills across Government to make this happen. Whilst workforce planning is primarily the responsibility of each department to determine based on their individual operational and policy requirements, the Civil Service constantly reviews its capabilities in order to deliver the Government’s commitment to leave the EU and get the very best deal for the UK. Civil Service HR is working closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to support departments, functions and professions in continuing to develop plans to address their emerging capacity and capability requirements.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many new civil service posts have been created to date to deal with new functions and obligations arising from Brexit; what is the annual cost of those appointments; in which departments those personnel are employed; and what specialist roles are being filled.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The whole of Government is preparing for the UK to make an orderly and successful exit from the European Union, and we are equipping ourselves with the right people and the right skills across Government to make this happen. Whilst workforce planning is primarily the responsibility of each department to determine based on their individual operational and policy requirements, the Civil Service constantly reviews its capabilities in order to deliver the Government’s commitment to leave the EU and get the very best deal for the UK. Civil Service HR is working closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to support departments, functions and professions in continuing to develop plans to address their emerging capacity and capability requirements.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what date has been agreed for the next meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU negotiations; and what is the frequency of meetings intended for the future.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
Meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) are subject to agreement by all four administrations. JMC(EN) met most recently on 16 October and agreed to meet again before Christmas.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the net migration to the UK in the year to March 2013.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.