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.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the recommendations from Marine Accident Investigation Branch reports that have not been implemented, including the planned implementation date for each of those recommendations.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) publishes details regarding recommendations that have not yet been implemented, including their planned implementation date, in the MAIB Annual Report (Marine Accident Recommendations and Statistics). The 2024 Annual Report was published on 17 July 2025 and is attached. The 2025 Annual report is planned to be published in May 2026.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 4 December (HL Deb col 1907), whether they will publish the animal welfare legislation and consultation recommendations that have not yet been commenced or acted on.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out by the Prime Minister, we will publish our Animal Welfare Strategy this year which will set out our priorities for animal welfare.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the recent decision to pass details from a government-commissioned opinion poll of resident doctors by Savanta to The Times newspaper was made by ministers or by civil servants.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government holds contracts with polling companies to conduct research on public opinion. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and as such is required to abide by its rules. The results of polling by Savanta of resident doctors are published online and can be found on their website.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the decision was made to pass the results of question 10 of the government-commissioned opinion poll of resident doctors by Savanta to The Times, while withholding the results of question 9.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government holds contracts with polling companies to conduct research on public opinion. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and as such is required to abide by its rules. The results of polling by Savanta of resident doctors are published online and can be found on their website.