Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made regarding the United Kingdom's access to the European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database; and how that access will enhance the United Kingdom's ability to manage immigration and asylum processes.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are committed to resetting the relationship with our European partners, including the EU, which will support us in tackling organised immigration crime and small boat crossings.
We have already enhanced our work with EU agencies, having delivered an immediate 50% uplift in NCA officers to be based in Europol. Wherever the UK and European partners can better jointly tackle shared challenges, including through enhanced information sharing, the Government will consider options to facilitate that cooperation further.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to seek a returns agreement with the European Union to tackle small boat crossings.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are committed to resetting the relationship with our European partners, including the EU, which will support us in tackling organised immigration crime and small boat crossings.
We have already enhanced our work with EU agencies, having delivered an immediate 50% uplift in NCA officers to be based in Europol. Wherever the UK and European partners can better jointly tackle shared challenges, including through enhanced information sharing, the Government will consider options to facilitate that cooperation further.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they plan to make to the BBC to ensure the continuation of regional TV programmes, and in particular political and current affairs programmes.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The BBC’s Royal Charter requires the BBC to represent, reflect and serve audiences, taking into account the needs of diverse communities of all the UK nations and regions.
The BBC’s proposed cuts to English regional television were debated in the chamber on 22 June 2020 with unanimous support for regional broadcasting. However, the BBC is editorially and operationally independent of government, and regional programming is a matter for the BBC.
Under the new regulatory system introduced by the government in 2017, the BBC Board must ensure the BBC complies with its Charter duties, and the government established Ofcom as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with UK-based airlines about the implementation of Passenger Name Record monitoring after January 2021.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Negotiations are currently ongoing with the European Union to secure an agreement which provides for reciprocal transfers of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data to protect the public from serious crime and terrorism, and which provides a lawful basis for UK and EU airlines to continue to transfer PNR data to law enforcement agencies in the UK and the Member States.
The Home Office meets with UK airlines regularly at meetings of the UK National Air Transport Facilitation Committee to provide updates and address concerns relating to transfers of PNR data following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and ahead of the end of the withdrawal transition period.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review Ofcom’s requirements for local commercial radio stations on (1) offering a local news and information element in their programming, and (2) remaining independent and distinctive from other commonly owned radio stations.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The Government acknowledges and values the role that local commercial radio stations play in the provision of local news and information, and in offering a distinctive service to their listeners. However, it is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to set programming and content requirements, in accordance with its statutory duty under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003 to ensure that holders of local radio licences carry locally relevant content and that a suitable proportion of local content is made locally. We have no plans to review these requirements.
Ofcom is required under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003 to publish and keep under review guidance for commercial radio licensees setting out the detailed local programming requirements that they consider it to be appropriate for local stations to carry, including the minimum amount of locally made news. The relevant guidelines are published on Ofcom's website.
Ofcom’s consultation in 2018 on proposed changes to the localness guidance and impact assessment covered the potential impacts on radio listeners and the industry.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether EU citizens resident in the UK with pre-settled status can receive Universal Credit if otherwise eligible.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
EU citizens with pre-settled status have the same access to benefits as they did prior to the introduction of the EU Settlement Scheme. They will satisfy the right to reside element of the Habitual Residence Test and can access benefits if they are exercising a qualifying right to reside, such as a worker or self-employed person, and are habitually resident in the UK. Their eligibility is verified through the Habitual Residence Test.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow golf courses and golf facilities to re-open, subject to safeguards.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
Golf courses along with other sports facilities remain closed at this time in line with the government's clear message to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
The government is in regular contact with stakeholders across the sport and physical activity sector and will continue to provide advice as and when there are any changes to the current guidance. The Government’s position is led by our medical experts and the key priority is to protect people’s health,
Despite the current restrictions, it is vitally important that we keep the nation active, which is why a person can leave the house for one form of exercise a day; for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of their household.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to return responsibility for gambling in the UK to the Home Office as part of their review of the Gambling Act 2005.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
Gambling policy is a cross-government issue involving ministers and officials from DCMS, Home Office, DHSC, HMT and other departments. Our departments work together closely and the Health Secretary has announced a cross-government addiction strategy that will include gambling.
We have no plans to return primary responsibility for gambling regulation to the Home Office as part of the Gambling Act Review.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the deadlines for Class 1 and 2 aviation medicals which are due to expire during the period of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The UK’s priority is to ensure aviation safety is upheld while also reducing any additional burdens on Aero-medical Examiners and GPs during this period.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has already granted an exemption to holders of a Part-MED Class 1 medical certificate that expires before 31st October 2020. Holders of such a medical certificate will continue to have their medicals validated until 22nd November 2020.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which the UK is a member of, is currently considering action in relation to Class 2 medicals.
We anticipate those affected by the deadline to be minimal as a routine revalidation for Class 1 and 2 medical certificates only applies where certificates have been expired for less than two years.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make any appropriate changes necessary.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what, if any, will be the VAT implications for aircraft which have to date been imported into, but may not be physically in, the UK on the planned exit day from the EU.
Answered by Earl of Courtown - Opposition Deputy Chief Whip (Lords)
Some aircraft imported into the UK will be eligible for zero rate of VAT as shown in Notice 744C on ships, aircraft and associated services.
If an aircraft has previously been imported into the UK with the appropriate taxes paid, its location on the day of Brexit will not affect its status as domestic goods, including UK VAT paid status. On return to the UK the importer may be able to claim Returned Goods Relief (RGR). This will be subject to conditions given in the RGR Notice 236.
The free movement of aircraft being used as a means of transport is guaranteed by the Chicago Convention. This allows aircraft to land and take off at airports all over the world without the inconvenience of paying and reclaiming import duties, including VAT, each time a trip is made. This will continue after the UK leaves the EU.