Lord Naseby Portrait

Lord Naseby

Conservative - Life peer

Became Member: 28th October 1997


Draft Deregulation Bill (Joint Committee)
17th Jul 2013 - 11th Dec 2013
Administration and Works Committee (Lords)
7th Jun 2005 - 12th Nov 2009
Panel of Chairs
1st Nov 1983 - 1st Jan 2000
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means
6th May 1992 - 1st May 1997
Public Accounts Committee
3rd May 1979 - 16th Mar 1992


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Naseby has voted in 365 divisions, and 5 times against the majority of their Party.

5 Oct 2020 - Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Naseby voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 8 Conservative Aye votes vs 174 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 298 Noes - 192
28 Sep 2020 - Coronavirus Act 2020: Temporary Provisions - View Vote Context
Lord Naseby voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Conservative Aye votes vs 166 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 99 Noes - 198
29 Jun 2020 - Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Naseby voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Conservative Aye votes vs 198 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 234
15 Dec 2021 - Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and Events) (England) Regulations 2021 - View Vote Context
Lord Naseby voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative Aye votes vs 105 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 38 Noes - 205
6 Apr 2022 - Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Naseby voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative Aye votes vs 127 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 24 Noes - 139
View All Lord Naseby Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

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 Callanan (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
(37 debate interactions)
Baroness Penn (Conservative)
Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
(25 debate interactions)
Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
(24 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Legislation Debates
United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020
(8,628 words contributed)
Financial Services and Markets Act 2023
(5,363 words contributed)
Agriculture Act 2020
(4,974 words contributed)
Financial Services Bill 2019-21
(4,593 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Lord Naseby's debates

Lords initiatives

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


2 Bills introduced by Lord Naseby


A bill to make provision for members of the House of Lords to vote in elections to the House of Commons

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 7th February 2020
(Read Debate)

A Bill to enable the law relating to societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 or the Friendly Societies Act 1992 and certain mutual insurers to be amended to permit and facilitate the use of a new and additional class of redeemable share capital; to provide consequential rights to members of such societies or insurers; and to restrict the voting rights of certain members who hold such shares.

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Lords
Monday 22nd July 2013

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


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
8th Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why blue hydrogen was not (1) highlighted, or (2) listed on the agendas, in official events at COP26.

At COP26 the UK Prime Minister brought together world leaders and private sector representatives to launch the ‘Breakthrough Agenda’ – goals to make clean technologies and sustainable solutions the most affordable, accessible and attractive option globally before 2030. As part of this agenda, 33 countries signed up to the hydrogen Breakthrough, aiming to have affordable, renewable and low carbon hydrogen globally available by 2030. The hydrogen Breakthrough also featured at an event on the Science and Innovation Day.

7th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) concerning requests from staff in those organisations to work overseas; and in which circumstances NDPBs are expected to agree to such requests.

The government does not issue guidance to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) on temporary working from non-UK locations. Departments have delegated policy responsibility concerning requests from staff in NDPBs to work overseas. However, they must comply with FCDO and other regulatory requirements when posting employees overseas permanently, travelling overseas for business and considering requests from employees to work temporarily overseas. Departments work with their own arm’s length body (ALB) when considering requests from staff in NDPBs to work overseas.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
25th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when the list of items used to calculate the core inflation figure were last reviewed.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

The Rt Hon. the Lord Naseby

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

05 June 2023

Dear Lord Naseby,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking when the list of items used to calculate the core inflation figure were last reviewed (HL8157).

The list of items used to calculate Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and Consumer Prices Index, including owner occupiers’ Housing costs (CPIH), and their core equivalents, is updated on an annual basis.

Prices were first collected for the most recent update in January this year. In 2023, 26 items were added to the CPIH basket, including e-bikes and frozen berries. 16 items were removed, including digital compact cameras and non-chart CD albums bought in store.

Further information can be found in our Consumer price inflation basket of goods and services: 2023 release [1].

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/articles/ukconsumerpriceinflationbasketofgoodsandservices/2023

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
19th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government for what reasons COVID-19 regulations permit people to socialise outside pubs but prevent them from attending four-day county cricket matches.

On 22 February, the Government published the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’, providing a roadmap out of lockdown restrictions in England. The Government's priority is to ensure a safe and gradual easing of restrictions, restoring freedoms sustainably, equitably and as quickly as possible without putting unsustainable pressure on the NHS and avoiding a further lockdown.

From 12 April, Step 2 of the roadmap, people have been permitted to gather outdoors in groups of up to six, or in larger groups - providing they consist of no more than two households. Outdoor hospitality service is also permitted to reopen at Step 2. Attendees must adhere to the social contact limits whilst at the venue as well as in the surrounding area, this means that crowds are not permitted to form at these venues. Venues must take reasonable steps to ensure that customers are seated whilst eating and drinking at their venue, including in any areas adjacent to their venue that are typically used to eat or drink from. This helps to maintain a controlled environment where social distancing can be maintained.

As regards to sporting events, spectators are not permitted at sporting events or live performances until Step 3, where we will begin to admit crowds again under strict capacity cap rules. However, this does not prevent people from viewing recreational or organised sport that is taking place in a public space (e.g. parks) in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households.

We have chosen to take a gradual approach to relaxing restrictions to reduce the risk of an increase in infections that might delay progress through the roadmap. Our approach also reflects the additional risks which can be associated with large spectator events, for example, if large numbers of people use public transport to travel to and from the venue, if crowd behaviours lead to increased risk, or if the event leads to gatherings in shared facilities either at the venue or nearby.

The Events Research Programme (ERP) is running its first phase of 10-15 pilots in April and May to inform decisions around the safe removal of social distancing at large events in Step 4 of the Roadmap. The pilots will be run across a range of settings, venues, and activities to gather evidence on the transmission risks associated with different settings, and how these can be mitigated.



Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
21st Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many deaths in England had COVID-19 listed as the primary cause of death on the death certificate in 2020 in the months of (1) March, (2) April, (3) May, (4) June, (5) July, (6) August, and (7) September.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Dear Lord Naseby,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking how many deaths in England had COVID-19 listed as the primary cause of death on the death certificate in 2020 in the months of (1) March, (2) April, (3) May, (4) June, (5) July, (6) August, and (7) September (HL9433).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes statistics on deaths in England and Wales and produces a weekly report[1] on provisional numbers of deaths involving COVID-19. Mortality statistics are compiled from information supplied when deaths are certified and registered as part of civil registration. National Records for Scotland[2] and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency[3] are responsible for publishing statistics on deaths registered in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Table 1 provides the number of deaths registered with COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2020, in England, by month.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Table 1: Number of deaths registered where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death, 1 March 2020 to 30 September 2020, England, by month[4][5][6][7]

Month

Number of deaths

March

1,568

April

28,013

May

11,404

June

3,442

July

1,008

August

363

September

572

Source: ONS

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

[2]https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/

[3]https://www.nisra.gov.uk/

[4]Figures include deaths of non-residents.

[5]Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.

[6]All figures for 2020 are provisional.

[7]The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10) definitions are as follows: coronavirus (COVID-19) (U07.1 and U07.2).

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what support is available to businesses that export British civil nuclear technology, including small modular reactors.

My Department recognises that nuclear technology, including small modular reactors (SMRs), offers a significant UK export opportunity, which could create substantial economic benefits.

The Department for Business and Trade is proud to be supporting the sector, including SMR technology companies, and is working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Ofiice, and across our overseas network, to offer a full range of support for UK exports to responsible nuclear nations.

This includes UK Export Finance, who can consider a range of options to support overseas sales, including loan guarantees for foreign buyers, and working capital, insurance and bond support products to assist UK suppliers.

Lord Offord of Garvel
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
13th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Tata Steel's decision to close both blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant on (1) UK primary steel production, and (2) the UK defence industry.

HMG have agreed to invest a historic £500 million at Port Talbot as part of Tata Steel's £1.25bn plan to transition to Electric Arc Furnace production.

Following the transformation, the company's modelling suggests the business will be able to produce 90% of its existing order book through the new Electric Arc Furnace. Moving to EAF production will also enable them to satisfy demand from customers who are demanding more green steel.

Tata Steel's plans to cease UK primary steel production at its Port Talbot steelworks are not anticipated to adversely impact defence. Specialist steels that are unavailable from UK sources are already procured by our prime contractors from overseas suppliers. Other grades of steel are likely to remain available from UK sources or are widely available on world markets.

Lord Offord of Garvel
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Sep 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the directors of Royal Mail to restore the target to deliver 93 per cent of first-class mail within one working day of collection.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

Ofcom is currently undertaking an investigation into Royal Mail’s failure to meet its quality of service performance targets, including the delivery of 93% of First Class mail within one working day of collection, for 2022-23.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that Oxford PV is more likely to seek listing on the New York or Hong Kong stock exchanges, what steps they are taking to strengthen UK energy and battery technology by incentivising such companies to seek listing on the UK stock exchange.

The UK has some of the strongest capital markets in the world and continues to be Europe’s leading hub for investment, second only to the US as a listing destination. The UK is building on these strong foundations by taking forward ambitious reforms to the rules governing capital markets, including taking forward the recommendations of Mark Austin’s Secondary Capital Raising Review and launching an Investment Research Review to boost the UK’s investment research environment.

Furthermore, the Government has committed a total of £30 billion of domestic investment for the green industrial revolution. Our policy and regulatory environment has already been successful in providing investors and industry with long-term certainty. The Government also supports innovative clean energy projects and companies, and expects to invest approximately £4.2 billion in net zero research and innovation over the period from 2022-25.

Lord Johnson of Lainston
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to attain agglomeration effects through face-to-face working as part of their strategy to increase productivity.

The Government is supporting innovation and face-to-face collaboration through its work to develop innovation hubs, investment zones and freeports. These initiatives incentivise clustering of related industries, creating localised knowledge networks and knowledge-sharing. In addition we are investing in infrastructure development to improve connectivity and accessibility within and between urban centres, fostering proximity and interaction.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to maximise the use of UK-manufactured components in small modular reactors in the UK.

The Small Modular Reactor technology selection process, launched last year by Great British Nuclear, is an open and competitive process. The priority is to select those technologies best able to facilitate operational projects by the mid-2030s. As with any Government decision, this will be subject to value for money, relevant approvals, and technology readiness. This is an exciting time for nuclear and the scale of our ambition means there are likely to be significant supply chain opportunities associated with projects going forward.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timeline for the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition, and when they expect the first SMR to come online in the UK.

On 2 October 2023 the government and Great British Nuclear announced the outcome of the latest phase of the SMR Technology Selection Process, with six technology vendors down-selected to go forward to the next stage. The next stage of the process will be launched very shortly. The ambition is to announce in 2024 which of the six companies the Government will support.

The aim is for this to be the fastest competition of its kind in the world, to facilitate operational projects in the mid-2030s.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to speed up the process for connecting infrastructure projects to the National Grid, following reports that UK energy companies are taking their investments abroad.

The Government is working with Ofgem and network companies to accelerate network connections and halve the end-to-end build time for new transmission network infrastructure. The Connections Action Plan, published in November 2023, aims to reduce transmission connection delays from 5 years to no more than 6 months after the date requested by the customer and release over 100 Gigawatts of network capacity. Projects that are able to connect faster are already being offered earlier connection dates, including 10 Gigawatts of battery storage being offered an average of a four year advance in their connection.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the closure of Grangemouth Refinery on UK energy self-sufficiency.

The owners of Grangemouth refinery, Petroineos, recently announced that they were putting in place the enabling works for a future transition to an import terminal. Petroineos have not taken a decision on when refining operations will cease but they anticipate they will continue until at least May 2025.

The impact of a cessation of refining operations on UK energy self-sufficiency will depend on the supply and demand for fuels at the time. The Government’s Net Zero policies to increase use of electric vehicles and renewable transport fuels, will progressively reduce demand for conventional fuels.

The UK already both imports and exports fuels to balance demand and supply. The Petroineos plans should continue to ensure that customer needs are met.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government why the green levy on energy bills will be introduced from 1 July after a six-month interval rather than after a two-year suspension as per their previous stated policy.

In the 2022 Growth Plan, the Government pledged to provide £150 to cover the costs ofgreen leviesincluded in energy bills for two years through the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG). By the end of June, this Guarantee will have saved a typical household in Great Britain around £1,100 in total, including the £150 we committed to.

From July 2023, the Ofgem price cap will be set at £2,074, below the EPG discount level of £3,000 for a typical household.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend to incentivise manufacturers to build solar panels in the United Kingdom.

The Solar Taskforce, launched on 25 May, will identify and take forward the actions needed to develop resilient, sustainable and innovative supply chains, to support the significant increases in deployment of solar panels needed to meet the UK’s net zero and energy security goals.

The Government encourages large scale developers accessing its flagship Contracts for Difference scheme to grow the supply chain through the Supply Chain Plan process. The Government supports supply chain innovation through a range of schemes, such as the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, and initiatives funded by UK Research and Innovation.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to speed up the provision of connections to the electrical grid and the issuing of permits for renewable energy developments.

The Government is working with Ofgem and network companies to release network capacity and improve the connections process, which will reduce connection timescales. The Government will publish a connections action plan in the summer.

The Government has demonstrated commitment to ensuring a better, faster, greener, fairer, and more resilient Nationally Significant Infrastructure planning process by publishing an Action Plan for reform in February 2023. The Government is now implementing these reforms, including publishing five revised energy National Policy Statements in March 2023, which are currently out for consultation until 23rd June.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they propose to take in response to the Hydrogen Champion Report: Recommendations to government and industry to accelerate the development of the UK hydrogen economy, published in March; and in particular, the recommendation that blending of hydrogen with gas of up to 20 per cent for the gas supply should proceed.

The Government welcomes the Hydrogen Champion Report, and I met the Hydrogen Champion, Ms Toogood, on 21 March to discuss next steps. The Government will continue to work with Ms Toogood and industry to develop the UK Hydrogen economy and realise the potential of hydrogen. The Government is planning to take a strategic policy decision in 2023 on whether to seek to enable blending of hydrogen in the existing gas distribution network. Further details will be provided this year, including through the government response to our consultation on hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure, which we aim to publish in Q2 2023.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Feb 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what are their reasons for not entering into a contract with Rolls-Royce on small modular reactors.

The Government has awarded up to £210m from the Advanced Nuclear Fund to Rolls Royce SMR Ltd to support the development of their Small Modular Reactor design.

The Government intends to initiate a selection process in 2023, with the intention that we will enter negotiations with the most credible projects to enable a potential Government award of support as soon as possible.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Feb 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what urgent steps they are taking to reduce the multi-year delays facing technology companies, particularly those working on fuel cells, trying to get connected to the electricity grid.

The Government is working with Ofgem, network companies and others to improve connection processes, embed best practice and release network capacity. This will help ensure timely connections to the network, including for technology companies. In addition, Ofgem's price control funds investment in the network for new connections. As part of the 2023-28 electricity distribution network price control, Ofgem will allow £3.1bn for network upgrades. These actions should translate into accelerated connection timescales for projects across the country.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that they are able to meet the targets of the Shared Rural Network programme to deliver 95 per cent 4G mobile coverage across the UK landmass by December 2025.

We continue to work with mobile network operators to ensure the Shared Rural Network is delivered on time and that the crucial coverage improvements are delivered across rural parts of the country. We are also taking steps to provide targeted support where appropriate through, for example, focused information packs and support with planning applications. The programme remains on track to deliver 95% UK 4G coverage by the end of 2025. In fact, 4G coverage now stands at 93% which is up from 91% since the Shared Rural Network was agreed in March 2020. This shows the programme is already delivering improved coverage across the UK.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
18th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the audit reforms they committed to introduce after the collapse of the construction firm Carillion five years ago.

The Government’s response to consultation on its reform proposals was published on 31 May 2022. This set out that reforms will be delivered by a variety of mechanisms, including changes already made by the regulator and by Ministerial Direction. The Government is committed to legislating when Parliamentary time allows.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possible use of hydrogen alongside existing gas boilers; and whether the use of hydrogen could remove the need for gas boilers entirely.

The Government is monitoring progress on trials that use blends of hydrogen in existing gas boilers to inform decisions in 2023 on whether to enable blending up to 20% hydrogen by volume into Great Britain gas networks. The Government is also supporting research, development and testing projects that will generate evidence on the costs, feasibility and impacts of using boilers that run entirely on hydrogen.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the profit margin per litre of petrol sold at petrol stations in (1) February 2022, (2) February 2021, and (3) February 2020.

The Government monitors the margin profits of petrol and diesel, but individual months do not necessarily reflect broader trends. Competitive markets ensure that consumers get a fair deal when they visit the pumps and that road fuel prices stay as low as possible.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Jan 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with petrol retail companies regarding the reported increase in profit margin per litre of petrol; and what assessment they have made of the reasons for this increase.

The Department’s officials are in regular contact with the major companies in the fuel supply industry, including those with petrol retail operations, to discuss a range of issues.

This Department’s analysis shows that retail prices of petroleum products, such as petrol and diesel, are primarily driven by the underlying price in the global market of crude oil and by exchange rates.

The Government has kept fuel duty frozen for the twelfth consecutive year, helping the average UK driver save a cumulative £1,900.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the fairness of allowing garden centres, classed as ‘essential’ retailers, to sell Christmas gift items during the new national COVID-19 restrictions in England from 5 November, while competing independent ‘non-essential’ retailers will have to close.

The Government recognises this will be a challenging time for any business which have been asked to close.

All shops can continue to offer home delivery to customers and click and collect services. Click and collect services allow for doorstep pick-up, which is safer than shopping indoors, in potentially poorly-ventilated spaces.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions, if any, the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies have had with economists on the economic impacts of the lockdown; and if no discussions have taken place, what the reasons are for not holding such discussions.

The Government makes decisions based on the best scientific evidence, along with consideration of the economic, operational, social and policy implications of any interventions that might be introduced. The remit of SAGE is to provide science advice to the Government, but this is just one part of the picture. Scientific advice from SAGE is often considered alongside advice from other specialisms such as economics. As new scientific questions emerge, the participants at SAGE will change to provide the best available scientific evidence at that time.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to appoint an economist to the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies; and if not, why not. [T]

The Government makes decisions based on the best scientific evidence, along with consideration of the economic, operational, social and policy implications of any interventions that might be introduced. The remit of SAGE is to provide?science?advice?to the Government, but this is just one part?of the picture. Scientific advice from SAGE is often considered alongside advice from other specialisms such as economics. As new scientific questions emerge, the participants at SAGE will change to provide the best available scientific evidence at that time.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Feb 2020
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the Services Committee intends to publish a report on the trial of the revised Bishop’s Bar services which started in October 2019; and if so, when.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee to respond to these questions on his behalf.

At its meeting on 11 July 2019 the Services Committee agreed to trial a revised service in the Bishops’ Bar, taking effect from the return of the House in September. Due to the dissolution and recess periods the Committee agreed that the trial be extended until April 2020.

During the trial period food preparation has been removed from the Bishops’ Bar, due to health and food safety concerns. This has meant that it is no longer possible for staff to customise salads and sandwiches at the point of sale. The Committee also agreed to the removal of toasted sandwiches from the Bishops’ Bar as part of the trial. A variety of toasted sandwiches remain available for purchase in the River Restaurant, with the choice of eating in or taking away. Two plated salad options have remained on offer in the Bishops’ Bar during the trial period and should the trial changes be made permanent these plated salad options will remain.

The Committee did not introduce these changes lightly. They were the subject to several discussions by the Committee; the minutes of which are available on the Committee’s webpage.

A report on the trial and future provision of services in the Bishops’ Bar is expected to be considered by the Committee at its April meeting. Once the Committee has had the opportunity to consider the report, it will be made available on the Committee’s webpage.

5th Feb 2020
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the food offered in the House of Lords Bishop’s Bar prior to October 2019, particularly the customised items prepared by the chef, complied with the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice and Guidance Safe work in confined spaces, published in 2014.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee to respond to these questions on his behalf.

Under the definition in the Approved Code of Practice, the Bishops’ Bar would not be considered a “confined space”, a term which should not be confused with a small space. When the Services Committee considered the required changes to the Bishops’ Bar in July, it accepted that the Administration had a duty of care towards staff working in the outlet and that the current conditions for food preparation were unsuitable.

We have no record of any incidents of food poisoning as a result of food consumed from the House of Lords Bishops’ Bar between 2009 and October 2019.

The Services Committee has no plans to review the methodology used by the food safety auditors who evaluated the Bishops’ Bar.

5th Feb 2020
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what estimate he has made of the number of cases of reported food poisoning as a result of food consumed from the House of Lords Bishop’s Bar in each year from 2009 to October 2019.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee to respond to these questions on his behalf.

Under the definition in the Approved Code of Practice, the Bishops’ Bar would not be considered a “confined space”, a term which should not be confused with a small space. When the Services Committee considered the required changes to the Bishops’ Bar in July, it accepted that the Administration had a duty of care towards staff working in the outlet and that the current conditions for food preparation were unsuitable.

We have no record of any incidents of food poisoning as a result of food consumed from the House of Lords Bishops’ Bar between 2009 and October 2019.

The Services Committee has no plans to review the methodology used by the food safety auditors who evaluated the Bishops’ Bar.

5th Feb 2020
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration the Services Committee (1) has given, and (2) plans to give, to the re-introduction of hot toasted sandwiches in the House of Lords Bishop’s Bar.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee to respond to these questions on his behalf.

At its meeting on 11 July 2019 the Services Committee agreed to trial a revised service in the Bishops’ Bar, taking effect from the return of the House in September. Due to the dissolution and recess periods the Committee agreed that the trial be extended until April 2020.

During the trial period food preparation has been removed from the Bishops’ Bar, due to health and food safety concerns. This has meant that it is no longer possible for staff to customise salads and sandwiches at the point of sale. The Committee also agreed to the removal of toasted sandwiches from the Bishops’ Bar as part of the trial. A variety of toasted sandwiches remain available for purchase in the River Restaurant, with the choice of eating in or taking away. Two plated salad options have remained on offer in the Bishops’ Bar during the trial period and should the trial changes be made permanent these plated salad options will remain.

The Committee did not introduce these changes lightly. They were the subject to several discussions by the Committee; the minutes of which are available on the Committee’s webpage.

A report on the trial and future provision of services in the Bishops’ Bar is expected to be considered by the Committee at its April meeting. Once the Committee has had the opportunity to consider the report, it will be made available on the Committee’s webpage.

2nd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport staff based in central London were working from their office desks on 2 September.

We had office desk capacity for 749 staff in our central London office prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. This has been reduced to 155 staff capacity in line with the Government's Covid-secure workplace guidance. On 2 September we had 62 members of staff in - 40% of current capacity, and 8% of our pre-Covid capacity. We expect full Covid-secure capacity to be reached this month.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the success of the trials of County Cricket games; and when they estimate they will evaluate (1) how, and (2) when, to allow spectators to be physically present at live cricket games.

Evaluation of the cricket fixtures that have taken place to date are underway. As the Prime Minister set out in his roadmap on 17 July, our ambition is to have fans return to all sports who chose to admit them, with social distancing restrictions in place, by October 1st. We will look to expand and phase pilots to build up to and prepare for, a full Covid Secure return in October.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
15th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will allow county cricket grounds to open to members only in the light of their ability to provide track and trace information through membership controls and to manage their grounds to ensure social distancing.

We are working closely with the sector, including the England and Wales Cricket Board, to facilitate the return of spectators to elite sport. A multidisciplinary working group, including medical directors from a number of sports, has begun to develop guidance around the return of spectators to stadia. Guidance will incorporate medical, sports, and venue expertise as well as the experience of other sectors that will reopen to audiences. Compliance with track and trace policies would be expected of any ticket holders.

We will continue to be led by wider public health guidance such as the “one metre plus” concept and the working group will reflect on all emerging best practice, both domestically and internationally, in their work.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the continued closure of recreational cricket clubs on the development of young cricketers.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health.

Officials are working very closely with the England and Wales Cricket Board on plans to deliver the safe return of club cricket as soon as possible. We are working at pace to shape guidance that will allow the safe return of competitive cricket and other team sports. Any shared sporting equipment may risk transmission, but these risks can be mitigated with good hygiene practice as being adopted across a wide range of sectors. I hope to make further progress on this in the coming weeks so that teams can enjoy a great cricketing summer.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what scientific evidence they base their announcement that a cricket ball is a natural vector of disease and could contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

Officials are working very closely with the ECB and their medical experts to understand the unique qualities of cricket. We are working at pace to shape guidance that will allow the safe return of competitive cricket and other team sports. Any shared sporting equipment may risk transmission, but these risks can be mitigated with good hygiene practice as being adopted across a wide range of sectors.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
24th Jan 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report School Recovery Strategies: Year 1 findings, published on 11 January, when they plan to re-introduce sports and physical education at the daily recommended activity levels of at least 60 minutes.

The department’s COVID-19 guidance has supported schools to continue to provide physical education (PE), sport and physical activity through COVID-19 restrictions. Schools have the flexibility to decide how PE, sport and physical activity will be provided to pupils while following the measures in their system of controls.

It is this government’s ambition that 30 minutes of the 60 minutes of physical activity a day recommended by the Chief Medical Officers should be done at school. This can include all forms of activity such as PE, active travel, after-school activities, play and sports. The School Sport and Activity Action Plan, which aims to make sport and physical activity an integral part of both the school day and after-school activities, enabling all children have the opportunity to take part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, will be updated this year. Primary schools have also continued to receive the £320 million PE and sport premium, supporting improvements in the quality of the PE, sport and physical activity which they offer.

In October 2021 the government also announced nearly £30 million a year will go towards improving the teaching of PE at primary school, as well as to improve and opening up school sport facilities in England.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
20th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Professional and Career Development Loans scheme has not been re-opened for HGV drivers.

Commercial providers of Professional and Career Development Loans have withdrawn from the scheme over the last few years. The scheme ended for new lending when the contract between the government and The Co-operative Bank expired in early 2019.

The department is providing support for Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver training through other routes. We are investing up to £17 million to create new Skills Bootcamps to offer 5,000 training places in HGV driving to help tackle the current HGV driver shortage. The free, intensive courses will train drivers to be road ready and gain a category C or category C&E licence or additional qualifications, for example to haul fuel, as well as refresher courses to help drivers who have left the profession to return. An additional 1,000 people are expected to be trained through courses accessed locally and funded by the government’s adult education budget.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
2nd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of Department for Education staff based in central London were working from their office desks on 2 September.

Staff in the department have been working remotely since the middle of March and have been focused on dealing with the challenges posed by COVID-19.

In recent months, the Department for Education has been working to ensure all our buildings are Covid-secure and putting in place plans to welcome staff safely back to the office.

Phase 1 saw a small number of volunteer staff return to the larger offices in August. Phase 2 started on 1 September, opening up to 20% capacity across our 7 largest offices. Phase 3 is being planned and will enable 30-40% of capacity to be opened up, including at the department’s smaller sites.

We continue to see an increase in number of staff returning and on Wednesday 2 September, a total of 4% of staff who are contracted as London based worked in Sanctuary Buildings, Westminster.

As of Wednesday 9 September, 5.5% of London based staff were working from Sanctuary Buildings, Westminster.

26th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government why they are planning to require larger retailers to accept used electrical items for recycling, including products originally bought from other retailers, rather than using existing local authority facilities and specialist scrap metal recycling units.

Large retailers selling electrical products already have an obligation under the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 to take back equipment for recycling, including products originally bought by other retailers, on sale of an equivalent item. The cost of recycling that waste equipment, and the cost of collection and recycling equipment deposited at local authority household waste recycling centres, is met by importers and manufacturers.

With independent research from Material Focus indicating that at least 500,000 tonnes of waste electricals were lost through being thrown away, hoarded, stolen, or illegally exported every year, the government is consulting on proposals to make it easier for householders to responsibly recycle their waste electrical equipment, through whichever route they find most convenient.

Lord Douglas-Miller
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government why the Port of Dover's border control point for imports will be located 22 miles away at Sevington, and what assessment they have made of the risks to biosecurity.

We remain committed to delivering the best border in the world. The Border Target Operating Model is key to delivering this, protecting the UK’s biosecurity, and ensuring our trading partners have confidence in our standards. The Government’s intention to consolidate SPS checks at Sevington for the Short Straits is based on the need to both safeguard the UK’s biosecurity and minimise the cost to trade.

Lord Douglas-Miller
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to make an "exceptional market conditions" direction under the Agriculture Act 2020, given the disruption being experienced by egg producers and consumers.

Defra has no plans to recommend that a declaration of exceptional market conditions be made for the egg sector under Section 20 of the Agriculture Act 2020. Other sectors have experienced similar problems and supply chains have themselves adjusted to address the challenges related to rising input costs, which the egg sector has started to do.


The UK egg industry operates in an open market and the value of egg commodities, including the farm gate egg price, is established by those in the supply chain including farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. While government may act in exceptional circumstances, we do not set retail food prices nor comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by companies. In the event of exceptional circumstances, the Government has powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 to act to support farmers.

The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries hosted a roundtable on 6 December 2022 which brought together representatives from across the UK egg supply chain to discuss the challenges the egg industry is facing. The meeting was productive and conducted in a constructive manner with a clear willingness from all parties to address issues affecting the supply chain.


We are keeping the egg situation under close review, including through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which was set up by Defra and the Devolved Administrations to monitor the UK market situation across all key agricultural commodities.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the assessment they have already made on the 16-week grace period for the marketing of free-range eggs in the event of mandatory housing measures imposed by the Chief Veterinary Office, whether they plan to amend existing legislation in this area.

In recognition of the pressures the egg sector is currently facing, particularly rising input costs alongside the impacts of Avian Influenza, Defra has granted a concession which will apply if the housing orders that are currently in place in England exceed the 16-week derogation period. This concession will allow producers and packers, on a one-off basis, the option to use either direct print to pack or an affixed label on free-range boxes. Accompanying clear and transparent point of sale signage should also be in place to ensure consumers are not misled and to avoid undermining consumer confidence in the free-range industry.


We are aware that there are proposals in the EU to amend the derogation period. We are closely following the negotiations on this proposal. We are under no obligation to align with the EU and Defra currently has no plans to amend the 16-week derogation period. We are keen to ensure we retain consumer confidence in our free-range brand and the need therefore to act in the interests of both UK producers and consumers


Egg Marketing Standards are a devolved matter, and so, any review of or changes to the standards would be a matter for each of the administrations in Great Britain.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
19th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to negotiations on a trade agreement between the UK and the EU, what assessment they have made of the impact of Rules of Origin requirements on (1) the UK tobacco industry, and (2) finished tobacco products imported into the UK from the EU from 1 January 2021.

In the event of a Free Trade Agreement with the EU, as with all Free Trade Agreements and all products, the Rules of Origin for finished tobacco products would be specific to that agreement. The exact rules will be discussed and decided through the negotiations, which, in this case, are still ongoing. The UK and EU have held substantial discussions on Rules of Origin and Defra has supported these conversations.

6th Feb 2020
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the Services Committee intends to review the methodology used by any food safety auditors who were tasked with evaluating the House of Lords Bishop’s Bar.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee to respond to these questions on his behalf.

Under the definition in the Approved Code of Practice, the Bishops’ Bar would not be considered a “confined space”, a term which should not be confused with a small space. When the Services Committee considered the required changes to the Bishops’ Bar in July, it accepted that the Administration had a duty of care towards staff working in the outlet and that the current conditions for food preparation were unsuitable.

We have no record of any incidents of food poisoning as a result of food consumed from the House of Lords Bishops’ Bar between 2009 and October 2019.

The Services Committee has no plans to review the methodology used by the food safety auditors who evaluated the Bishops’ Bar.

7th Jan 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the International Crisis Group is in receipt of any Government funding; and if so, whether that funding is provided to the charity (1) in general, or (2) for specific projects.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) receives DFID funding through UK Aid Connect. UK Aid Connect supports programmes led by consortia of diverse organisations to create solutions to complex problems facing the poorest people. ICG is a partner within the Smart Peace programme led by Conciliation Resources and receives funding to carry out particular work within that programme.

Overall funding to the Smart Peace programme is £11.9m for the period 2018-2022. The consortium combines expertise in conflict analysis, community dialogue, elite mediation, evaluation, policy influence and behavioural science to deliver targeted and adaptive conflict resolution interventions in Central African Republic (CAR), Myanmar and Nigeria.