Lord Palmer Portrait

Lord Palmer

Crossbench - Former Member for Excepted Hereditary

Became Member: 2nd October 1990


Lord Palmer is not a member of any APPGs
3 Former APPG memberships
British Jews, Energy Costs, Israel
Standing Orders (Private Bills) Committee (Lords)
6th Dec 2004 - 27th Apr 2017
Works of Art Committee (Lords)
7th Jun 2005 - 12th Nov 2009
Procedure and Privileges Committee
27th Nov 2006 - 30th Oct 2007
Refreshment Committee (Lords)
25th Nov 2002 - 7th May 2005
Works of Art Committee (Lords)
28th Nov 1995 - 7th Nov 2002
Refreshment Sub Committee
5th Jun 1997 - 11th Nov 1999


Division Voting information

Lord Palmer has voted in 526 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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All Debates

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
Earl Attlee (Conservative)
(22 debate interactions)
Lord De Mauley (Conservative)
(8 debate interactions)
Lord Sassoon (Conservative)
(6 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Department for Transport
(25 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(8 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(6 debate contributions)
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Legislation Debates
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
(665 words contributed)
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Lords initiatives

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


Lord Palmer has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Palmer 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
29 Other Department Questions
28th Nov 2022
To ask the Leader of the House what steps he is taking to encourage members to keep supplementary questions short and succinct.

I agree with the noble Lord that members should aim to keep their contributions concise and, in accordance with the Companion, confined to no more than two points. This enables as many peers from across the House as possible the opportunity to scrutinise the Government.

It is the responsibility of the whole House to work collectively on this issue and I am sure the usual channels will make every effort to ensure their members keep to this standard of practice. In June 2022 the usual channels wrote collectively to all members to remind them of these rules and the courtesies of the House more generally.

I will also remind colleagues of the importance of ministers providing succinct answers to questions, in accordance with the practice of the House, to enable the House to operate in the most effective manner including the recommendation that initial answers should be no more than 75 words.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
23rd Jul 2019
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the total cost of providing new uniforms for parliamentary security staff; and what proportion of that cost was paid by the House of Lords.

The total cost of providing over 350 new uniforms for parliamentary security staff was £150,000. The proportion of that cost paid by the House of Lords was £45,000.

19th Jun 2019
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what is the cost of the new clocks in the House of Lords Chamber.

The new clocks in the House of Lords Chamber were procured together with new clocks for Grand Committee. Together the new clocks for the Chamber and Grand Committee cost £23,709.60. This includes the cost of the bespoke design, software, hardware and installation. It is inclusive of VAT.

The clocks are maintained by the same company that maintains the clocks in the House of Commons. Together the two Houses pay an annual maintenance fee of £3,596 per annum. The House of Lords pays 40% of this cost.

3rd Apr 2019
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the total cost of the production of Issue 1 of the House of Lords Library magazine The Library, published in April; and what estimate he has made of the future costs of the publication of that magazine.

The total cost of production for issue 1 of the House of Lords Library Magazine The Library published in April was £2,642.50 plus VAT (template and printing). The magazine is available in print and digitally, and the cost of future issues will therefore depend upon the demand for printed copies. Likely subscriber numbers indicate a cost for printing of £185 plus VAT per issue, and it is expected that The Library will be published approximately nine times per year.

29th Jan 2019
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what are the average daily costs to Parliament of any additional Parliamentary security personnel who have been required to deal with the demonstrators near to the Palace of Westminster since 23 June 2016.

There have been no additional costs to Parliament. The additional security staff fall into two categories, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and private security provision for the broadcasters. The resources for the police officers who are part of the wider MPS response to Brexit do not fall within the contractual arrangement between MPS and Parliament, therefore Parliament is not paying any extra for policing these protests. Private security provision for the broadcasters is contracted by various broadcasters on Abingdon Green, which Parliament does not pay for.

25th Apr 2018
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what, if any, has been the annual saving to the two Houses of the outsourcing of the switchboard service; and how are the costs of that service apportioned between the two Houses.

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

The saving projected when the outsourced switchboard provider, 3C Ltd, changed to Capita PLC in May 2012 was £1.53m. The saving was projected over the course of 7 years, meaning that the average forecast annual saving was £218.57k. Saving over the full 7 year term is now forecast to be £1.88m, providing an average annual saving of £269.33k. The actual saving after 6 years has been £1.45m, with an average annual saving of £242.36k.

Until 31 March 2015, 20% of costs were apportioned to the House of Lords and 80% to the House of Commons. Since 1 April 2015, 30% of costs are apportioned to the House of Lords and 70% to the House of Commons.

6th Mar 2018
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what will happen to the various items, including green-shaded lights, computers, air conditioning units, microwaves, laptops, telephones and fridges, which are being temporarily stored in Boiler House Court.

Boiler House Court is used for temporary storage of items for disposal awaiting weekly collection by the House's Approved Authorised Treatment Facility.

6th Mar 2018
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what is the total annual electricity bill for the Palace of Westminster; and what proportion of that bill is paid by the House of Lords.

The total cost of the electricity bill for the Palace of Westminster for 2016/17 was £1,778,860. The House of Lords contribution to such running costs is 40%, meaning a payment of £711,544 for 2016/17.

20th Nov 2017
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker how much it cost to produce the pamphlet Work of the House of Lords 2016–17; and how many copies were sent to people outside the parliamentary estate.

The 2016-17 edition of the Work of the House of Lords cost £7,229 for a print run of 20,000 copies. Of these, 3,728 copies were sent to libraries and universities at the time of publication. Further copies will be distributed to people outside of the parliamentary estate through various outreach activities over the course of the current session.

12th Oct 2017
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker why the carpet has been removed from the Cholmondeley Room; whether it will be replaced; and if so, when.

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

The carpet in the Cholmondeley Terrace marquee was replaced with oak wooden flooring during the summer recess. This change was made alongside other improvements to the structure, including installing air conditioning and lining the roof space to improve insulation. These improvements were necessary to enhance the customer experience and reduce on-going repair costs.

The carpet in the Cholmondeley Room itself has not been altered.

17th Jul 2017
The Senior Deputy Speaker what is his estimate of the cost arising from the House sitting in September.

The planning assumption made by the House Administration each year is that there will be a sitting in September. Most activities are scheduled on that basis and costs of September sittings are factored into the original budgets.

On that basis, the main additional cost arising from the House sitting in September is an estimated £4k for cleaning and porterage at the end of maintenance and project works to prepare for the sitting and around £1k of staff overtime for the Parliamentary Maintenance Services Team.

1st Nov 2016
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker how much the report <i>Work of the House of Lords 2015–16 </i>cost to produce and distribute.

The production and distribution costs of the 2015/16 edition of the Work of the House of Lords as at 3 November were £10,218.34 for a print run of 20,000 copies.

23rd May 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees how much it cost to refurbish the Cholmondeley Room toilets, and why those toilets were out of service so soon after their six-month refurbishment.

The works to the Cholmondeley Room toilets are not yet completed. They should be completed in the next month. The estimated budget is £650,000 (of which the Lords’ share is 40%).

A number of unforeseen technical difficulties mean that the works are slightly behind schedule; although two of the toilets have re-opened, some underlying problems are still being resolved.

3rd May 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees how much the <i>Members' Personal Safety and Security</i> pamphlet cost to produce and distribute to members.

The Lords Members’ Personal Safety and Security booklets cost £673.02 to design and print. We take the security of Members extremely seriously and regularly update our advice and guidance on the steps they can take to help keep themselves, their staff and their families safe. This was a longstanding, routine update on a booklet which has previously existed in a number of different editions.

13th Apr 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees why the refurbishment of the toilets outside the Cholmondeley Room has not yet been completed; and when it is expected to be completed.

The works are due to be completed before June 2016. Alternative facilities are available down the corridor, which are signposted. The refurbishment of these toilets includes replacement of worn and damaged fixtures, and addressing a number of issues including drainage and ventilation. The Administration and Works Committee is received regular updates on progress.

11th Apr 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to his Written Answer on 23 March (HL7048) about the change of use of the Peers' TV Room, what happened to the armchairs that used to be in that room.

The chairs are in existing storage facilities.

11th Apr 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees how much is the agency fee to engage three new sous chefs, as recently advertised by Berkeley Scott.

The House of Lords is recruiting to fill two Sous Chef vacancies which have recently arisen. These posts have been advertised on the Parliamentary Website, The Caterer and the House of Lords external recruitment portal. No agency has been asked to recruit to these vacancies on our behalf.

11th Apr 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to his Written Answer on 9 November 2015 (HL3053), whether the three sous chefs who left via a voluntary exit scheme were offered voluntary redundancy pay.

There have been no redundancies in House of Lords Catering and Retail Services. In June 2015 three sous chefs applied to take Voluntary Exit following a restructuring of back of house services and received a Voluntary Exit package.

15th Mar 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees who sanctioned the change of use of the Peers' TV Room and whether it is envisaged that an alternative facility will be made available to members.

The Accommodation Steering Group (comprising the Chairman of Committees, Government Chief Whip, Opposition Accommodation Whip, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip and Convenor of the Crossbench Peers) decided in July that that the Peers’ TV Room (on the Committee Corridor) should be converted into additional hot-desk space, initially for use by new Members. That decision was reported to the Administration and Works Committee, and was recorded in Red Benches and the Committee’s published minutes.

There are no plans to provide an alternative facility. I feel sure that Noble Lords will agree that limited space must be used efficiently to enable the House and its members to carry out their parliamentary functions effectively.

11th Feb 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to his Written Answer on 10 February (HL5554), whether partners and spouses of Catering and Retail Services staff are also entitled to receive meals without charge.

Partners and spouses are not entitled to receive meals without charge.

27th Jan 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees what is the new role of the previous manager of Catering and Retail Services; what are his responsibilities; and to whom he reports.

The postholder has been transferred to lead the Catering and Retail Services Change Programme on a full time basis until programme closure and then to embed its success into the Department’s business as usual activities. He reports to the Director of Facilities.

27th Jan 2016
To ask the Chairman of Committees which members of House of Lords' staff are entitled to free food or refreshments in the House's facilities.

Catering and Retail Services staff are provided with meals without charge during shifts, in accordance with arrangements made by the Head of Catering and Retail Services. This is standard practice in the hospitality industry.

23rd Nov 2015
To ask the Chairman of Committees on what basis the last Deputy Head of Catering and Retail Services left the employment of the administration.

It is not appropriate for me to answer questions on individual employment matters.

27th Oct 2015
To ask the Chairman of Committees how many members of staff in Catering and Retail Services are being made redundant.

There have been no redundancies in House of Lords Catering and Retail Services this year. Three sous chefs left via a voluntary exit scheme following a restructuring of back of house services.

21st Oct 2015
To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to the Written Answer by the Chairman of Committees on 18 September (HL2226), what costs were incurred in recruiting the last House of Lords Executive Chef, and for how long that postholder was employed.

The last Executive Chef was employed by the House for just over a year. We paid £360to publicise the permanent vacancy in relevant forums. Reasonable travel expenses of several candidates were reimbursed at £83.40. An external consultant already engaged by Catering and Retail Services assisted with the selection process - a reasonable estimate of the cost of his time is £278. There were also marginal costs for the refreshment for the panel and ingredients to support a work-based skills test. The successful candidate had previously been employed on a fixed-term contract for which we paid an agency fee of £3,600.

15th Sep 2015
To ask the Chairman of Committees what costs were incurred in the recruitment of the House of Lords Executive Chef.

The recruitment exercise for an executive chef is ongoing. We have paid £346.61 to publicise the vacancy in relevant forums. Other anticipated costs include a £350 fee for an external recruitment panel member and the marginal cost of ingredients for a cooking test. Other costs are not envisaged, although we do reimburse reasonable candidate travel expenses.

12th Jan 2015
To ask the Chairman of Committees why new chairs have been placed in the River Restaurant; how much they cost; whether estimates were obtained for the cost of chairs with and without the Portcullis; what happened to the old chairs; and what was the salvage value of the old chairs.

The chairs recently placed in the River Restaurant were previously in storage and so there was no cost in this financial year. The new chairs provide greater back support than the benches formerly used. Those benches have been placed into storage; no estimate has been made of their salvage value.

25th Nov 2014
To ask the Chairman of Committees what will be the remuneration of the specialist adviser to the Special Public Bill Committee on the Insurance Bill.

Specialist advisers to House of Lords Committees are typically paid a daily rate of between £240-280 pro rata. Certain expenses, including travel, are also met. The specialist adviser to the Special Public Bill Committee on the Insurance Bill will be remunerated within these parameters. I am grateful for the valuable public service provided by those people who act as specialist advisers to House of Lords Committees.

11th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what employment package the minister responsible for the implementation of HS2 will receive.

The list of Ministerial responsibilities is available on gov.uk. An updated list will be published in due course. Ministerial salaries are published on gov.uk and set in accordance with the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
21st Oct 2019
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what estimate he has made of the total cost of the sitting of the House of Lords on Saturday 19 October.

It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the total cost of the sitting of the House on Saturday 19 October at this stage. The costs incurred will relate to additional staff costs and claims that Members may submit in relation to their attendance on that date. Such claims can be submitted up to the end of November and once the figures are available an update will be provided. Other directly attributable costs will be disclosed if available. However, for some general running costs, for example heating and lighting etc., it will not be possible to attribute those to a specific date.

20th Feb 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will review the shale gas fracking regulations.

The Traffic Light System for monitoring induced seismicity was introduced after consideration of advice from three scientists, following operations at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site in 2011. The level of magnitude 0.5 at which operators must pause operations, was set in consultation with industry as an appropriate precautionary measure. There are no plans to review the traffic light system.

8th May 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to include Reception and early years' physical activity for spend within Primary Physical Education and Sport Premium funding with specific mention of play.

It is important that all children have the opportunity to engage in physical activity and sport in a way that interests them. We want all schools to understand the importance of being physically active in keeping children healthy and the positive impact it can have on a child’s health and wellbeing. The government has doubled the PE and sport premium from September 2017 using revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

Use of the primary PE and sport premium is already considered as part of school inspections. The inspection framework is the specific responsibility of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted. Ofsted expect all schools to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes sporting opportunities for pupils.

The premium is intended to support schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport they offer. Play and activity is essential for children’s development in the early years and is a therefore an integral part of all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS Statutory Framework sets out a requirement that educational programmes must provide opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement to aid their physical development. In addition, the programmes set out each area of learning and development and must be implemented through planned, purposeful play through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.

Schools were required to publish information on use of the PE and sport premium on their websites by 4 April 2018. The department has committed to sample a number of schools in each local authority, with the schools chosen based on a mix of random selection and prior non-compliance with the online reporting requirements. We are considering what further use we might make of that, and other sources of information, in making an assessment of the use and impact of the premium and reviewing our future approach.

8th May 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require that physical education provision, and specifically, the use of the Primary Physical Education and Sport premium, is part of every primary Ofsted inspection.

It is important that all children have the opportunity to engage in physical activity and sport in a way that interests them. We want all schools to understand the importance of being physically active in keeping children healthy and the positive impact it can have on a child’s health and wellbeing. The government has doubled the PE and sport premium from September 2017 using revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

Use of the primary PE and sport premium is already considered as part of school inspections. The inspection framework is the specific responsibility of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted. Ofsted expect all schools to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes sporting opportunities for pupils.

The premium is intended to support schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport they offer. Play and activity is essential for children’s development in the early years and is a therefore an integral part of all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS Statutory Framework sets out a requirement that educational programmes must provide opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement to aid their physical development. In addition, the programmes set out each area of learning and development and must be implemented through planned, purposeful play through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.

Schools were required to publish information on use of the PE and sport premium on their websites by 4 April 2018. The department has committed to sample a number of schools in each local authority, with the schools chosen based on a mix of random selection and prior non-compliance with the online reporting requirements. We are considering what further use we might make of that, and other sources of information, in making an assessment of the use and impact of the premium and reviewing our future approach.

8th May 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for a comprehensive review of the Primary Physical Education and Sport Premium including (1) Ofsted inspection procedure, (2) differentiated guidance and outcomes for physical activity, (3) teacher development, (4) pupil attainment, and (5) participation in competition and sport.

It is important that all children have the opportunity to engage in physical activity and sport in a way that interests them. We want all schools to understand the importance of being physically active in keeping children healthy and the positive impact it can have on a child’s health and wellbeing. The government has doubled the PE and sport premium from September 2017 using revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

Use of the primary PE and sport premium is already considered as part of school inspections. The inspection framework is the specific responsibility of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted. Ofsted expect all schools to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes sporting opportunities for pupils.

The premium is intended to support schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport they offer. Play and activity is essential for children’s development in the early years and is a therefore an integral part of all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS Statutory Framework sets out a requirement that educational programmes must provide opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement to aid their physical development. In addition, the programmes set out each area of learning and development and must be implemented through planned, purposeful play through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.

Schools were required to publish information on use of the PE and sport premium on their websites by 4 April 2018. The department has committed to sample a number of schools in each local authority, with the schools chosen based on a mix of random selection and prior non-compliance with the online reporting requirements. We are considering what further use we might make of that, and other sources of information, in making an assessment of the use and impact of the premium and reviewing our future approach.

21st Jul 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 July (HL Deb, col 640), whether the UK is going to be fined by the EU as a result of making late payments under the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Under normal rules, if the value of payments made after the 30 June deadline exceeds 5% of the value of payments made before the deadline, then penalties apply. The reductions would be 10% on payments made in July, 25% on payments made in August and 45% for payments made in September.

Commissioner Hogan, however, confirmed his intention to extend the date by which Member States may make CAP direct payments without the usual reductions in the rate of reimbursement from the EU to the Member States concerned.

We are currently assessing the UK position in terms of the value of payments made by 30 June and the expected value of payments to be made before 15 October for each of the four UK paying agencies. Once this assessment has been completed we will be in a position to decide whether the UK needs to submit a request to take up the provisions outlined by the Commission.

12th Jan 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much severance pay was offered, and subsequently paid, to the Chairman of the Environment Agency prior to his resignation.

Sir Philip Dilley will work until the end of January to allow a measured transition. He will receive no severance package.

2nd Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the imposition of fines on people who ride bicycles on pavements.

The Government has no plans to review the imposition of fines on people who ride bicycles on the footway.

Except in designated areas (such as shared used paths), cycling on the pavement (“footway”) is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835. Officers can issue verbal warnings, fixed penalty notices or report the road user for formal prosecution.

The enforcement of cycling on the footway and other cycling offences is an operational matter for the police.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Oct 2019
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the cost of this year's refurbishment of the House of Lords' River Restaurant.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. A full refurbishment of the seating area, fridges and payment stands in the River Restaurant was carried out in September and October 2019. The new design has increased the number of available seats by four and improved the accessibility and flow of the area.

The costs for this project are laid out below:

Enabling and redecoration works: £35,000

Equipment and fittings: £83,207

Total Cost of Project: £118,207

26th Jun 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government who is (1) accountable for the British Transport Police, and (2) responsible for making operational decisions regarding the deployment of British Transport Police officers on passenger trains across the UK.

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), an arm’s length body of the Department, is responsible for setting the BTP’s strategy, policing plans and budget, holding the BTP force to account, and ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency. The Chief Constable of the BTP is responsible for making operational decisions on the deployment of BTP officers on the rail network across England, Scotland and Wales.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Jun 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is (1) the role, and (2) the total complement, of the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police (BTP) is responsible for policing the rail network across England, Scotland and Wales, providing a service to rail operators, their staff and passengers. It also polices the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Midland Metro tram system, Croydon Tramlink, Tyne and Wear Metro, Glasgow Subway and Emirates AirLine. The BTP has 3107 police officers, 303 police community support officers, 311 special officers and 1567 police staff (as at 31 March 2019).

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
13th Mar 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Westminster City Council about the reasons for Parliament Square being regularly obstructed by black cabs; and what action that are taking as a result of any such discussions.

The Department has not had any discussions with Westminster City Council about obstructions around Parliament Square. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and managed by Transport for London (TfL). Roads in London are managed by TfL and the relevant London Borough. It therefore falls to TfL and Westminster City Council to deal with traffic management around Parliament Square.

28th Jun 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost of the advertising used to promote the rebranding of Virgin Trains to the London North Eastern Railway.

The cost of advertising connected with brand awareness and the launch of London North Eastern Railway (LNER) was approximately £936,000, which includes print, radio and digital marketing. This activity was critical to ensure that customers were aware that the change from Virgin Trains East Coast to LNER would not involve any disruption to services and that the change did not lead to any loss of revenue. This level of marketing spend is comparable with that of other normal intercity train operators.

26th Jun 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much (1) has been spent to date and, (2) further has been allocated, for the rebranding of rolling stock and personnel uniforms to London North Eastern Railway from Virgin Trains East Coast.

The estimated cost of rebranding the existing rolling stock and issuing new uniform items to staff is approximately £550,000. The incurring of these costs are normal at the end of any franchise where the operator changes as LNER could not use the Virgin brand following the transfer of the services to LNER.

It was also important to spend this money in order to help establish this new brand in the market and maintain customer awareness of the services on offer. Further expenditure will be incurred in the future on developing and marketing the LNER brand as the operator of the East Coast route. This will be a matter for the LNER Board and decisions will be taken by them on a commercial basis.

6th Feb 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 5 February (HL13025), who are the experts on tobacco control whom they consulted about proposed changes to tobacco packaging.

The Department has consulted with a range of experts in tobacco control, including Professor David Hammond of the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo, Canada; Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society; and Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health. None of the experts consulted have links to the tobacco industry.

22nd Jan 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned advice from any company, organisation or individual about the proposed changes to tobacco product packaging in the event of a no-deal Brexit; if so, which company, organisation or individual they commissioned such advice from; what was the cost of any such advice; and whether they will place a copy of any such advice in the Library of the House.

Over the last year, and at no cost, the Department has consulted with a range of experts in tobacco control, none of whom have any connections with the tobacco industry. The Department has also consulted with the Health Ministries of other countries that have world leading tobacco control programmes.

The external advice provided to the Department has been part of the formulation of Government policy and therefore, we have no plans to publish the advice at this current time.

9th Jan 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many tattoos have been removed at a cost to the NHS in England; and what is the total cost of such removals since 2009.

It is possible that tattoo removal procedures could be classified to a number of ‘skin excision’ codes within the OPCS-4 Classification. These procedures codes would be assigned for any type of skin excisions, for example, the removal of benign and malignant neoplasm. It is not possible to separately identify data specific to tattoo removal procedures.

8th May 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that all Government health campaign messaging is comprehensive, particularly in regard to dental health.

Public Health England’s (PHE) health campaigns are developed with expert guidance from the relevant PHE teams to ensure messaging is comprehensive and evidence-based.

Change4Life is PHE’s flagship social marketing campaign, inspiring families to eat well and move more. Dental health content is included in the campaign and has been developed with guidance from PHE’s Diet and Obesity and Dental Public Health teams. The Top tips for teeth dental toolkit includes materials to help support dental professionals in their engagement with parents. The toolkit focuses on delivering three key messages to parents: cut down on sugar; brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste; and visit the dentist regularly. The toolkit is available for National Health Service dental practices to order.

The Start4Life Information Service for Parents email programme also encourages pregnant women to take up free dental care and advises expectant and new parents on caring for the oral health of their babies and young children.

In addition, NHS England has launched Starting Well: A Smile4Life Initiative. This programme of dental practice-based initiatives aims to reduce oral health inequalities and improve oral health in children under the age of five years. The programme has been launched in 13 high priority areas chosen on the basis of decay experience at a local authority area level, existing oral health improvement plans and trends in oral health.

16th Mar 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the contract for the provision of tobacco control legislation enforcement – national support for local authorities, between the Department of Health and ITSA Ltd, ended or will end; how it will be evaluated; whether they intend to extend or re-tender that contract; and if so, what is the timeframe.

The current contract for the provision of support to local authorities in the enforcement of tobacco control legislation will end in September 2018. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute, who hold the contract, provide regular updates to the Department on agreed milestones and deliverables and will submit a final report at the end of the contract to aid the Department in its evaluation. No decision has yet been taken on any future agreement to support local authorities in tobacco control.