Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what training and guidance Ministers and civil servants receive to ensure that answers to written questions comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, particularly the requirement for answers to be "full and timely" under paragraph 9.8.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Parliamentary Questions training is the responsibility of individual Departments. There is a published Guide to Parliamentary Work for civil servants available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work) which sets out expectations in managing Parliamentary Questions.
The Parliamentary Capability Team within Government Skills also offers training on Parliamentary Questions to civil servants of all departments, grades and roles.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 28 January (HL13712) and Ofcom's statement in the 2013 Postcode Address File Review that "The decision as to whether to make PAF an open dataset is one for Government to take", what steps they are taking to consult on and review the current status of the Postcode Address File as a closed dataset, and which Minister is responsible for this work.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Postcode Address File is a privately-owned dataset. This was a decision taken as part of the privatisation of Royal Mail in 2013.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade owns the responsibility for postal services legislation. Section 116 of the Postal Services Act 2000 requires the owner of the Postcode Address File to make it available to those who wish to use it, on reasonable terms. It also requires the owner to maintain it.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of answers to written questions are researched or drafted using artificial intelligence tools and whether they have a specific policy regarding the use of artificial intelligence for such tasks.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government does not collect data on the proportion of answers to written questions that are either researched or drafted using artificial intelligence tools. There is no specific cross - Government policy guidance relating to questions, but the Government Digital Service has published the “Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government” document which sets out principles for the use of a wider range of artificial intelligence technologies safely, effectively and responsibly.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 20 January (HL13300), whether they have now reviewed whether it is necessary for the prescribed standards for police driving training to be set by legislation; and if so, what was the outcome of that review.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is vital that police drivers are trained to a high standard in order to maintain public and driver safety. This is why the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 introduced new training requirements and a new test for police drivers, which are required by the Act to be prescribed in regulations.
The Government engages regularly with the College of Policing and other stakeholders to ensure that police driver training continues to meet these high standards. We will give full consideration to making changes if it becomes clear there is a need to do so to maintain flexibility of the standards
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to change the current arrangements for licensing and accessing the postcode address file; and what assessment they have made of the impact this may have on economic growth.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Postcode Address File is owned by Royal Mail. Royal Mail’s terms of access to the Postcode Address File are regulated by Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services. Ofcom requires Royal Mail to provide access to the Postcode Address File on reasonable terms. Royal Mail provides free access to small charities and microbusinesses in their first year.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to revise the Home Office's social media use policy.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office’s social media channels are a vital tool to inform the public of policy and delivery updates the department is responsible for. The channels are routinely monitored and their use reviewed to ensure content is being produced in the appropriate manor for public consumption. Home Office social media policy is line with the relevant departmental and Government Communication Service guidance, as well as the Civil Service Code.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker what plans the House of Lords has to reduce the use of the social media platform X for public communications about the work of the House of Lords.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Lords communications team uses a range of social media channels to reach audiences and ensure they have access to accurate and impartial information about the role and work of the House. By using multiple channels, it aims to reach a broad range of audiences online with content that is most likely to engage them.
Posts on X cover the daily business of the House and work in committees. The team continually evaluates the effectiveness and risks of using each platform and adjusts its approach accordingly. It does not prioritise any single channel over others.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee's recommendation in its 32nd Report (HL Paper 157), what progress they have made in reviewing whether police driving standards should be set in legislation; and what further steps they plan to take on this issue.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Police Crime Sentencing and Court Act 2022, introduced new training requirements and a new test for police drivers. Regulations subsequently laid in 2023 and 2025 prescribed police driver training standards.
The College of Policing also introduced licensing for police driving training providers in April 2024.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a list of any outstanding safety recommendations from the Air Accident Investigation Branch, along with the planned implementation date for each of the outstanding recommendations.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
All Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Safety Recommendations are published within the investigation reports to which they relate. In addition, the AAIB provides regular updates on the status of these recommendations on its website. These updates include the responses received, the AAIB’s assessment of those responses, and the progress of any actions taken.
This information is also summarised in the AAIB Annual Safety Review which is published in the second quarter of each year. The review covers recommendations that were opened or closed in the previous year and includes its status at the time of publication as well as expected timelines for further updates.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a list of any outstanding safety recommendations from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, along with the planned implementation date for each of the outstanding recommendations.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) publishes a list of all its outstanding recommendations in its annual report. Those in receipt of RAIB recommendations must respond within three months with their plans and timescales for implementation or, if no action is planned, with their reasons. It is then for the Office of Rail and Road, as the independent rail safety regulator, to ensure these recommendations are duly considered and, where appropriate, acted on.