Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Greece discussed the Elgin Marbles during their meeting on 3 December; and if so, why it was not mentioned in the official read-out.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Lord to the read-out of the meeting between the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Their discussion focused on areas of shared cooperation including tackling illegal migration and continued support for Ukraine.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the creation of a new order of chivalry commemorating Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There are no plans to create a new order of chivalry.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date Ministers were presented with the views of the panel judging bids made to Round 4 of the Cultural Development Fund; and when they plan to announce their decision about the successful bids.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Cultural Development Fund Round 4 will unlock local growth and productivity, increase access to creativity and culture, and regenerate communities. An open application process was launched earlier this year. Following review and assessment of applications - including by an expert advisory panel - advice was provided to ministers for consideration after summer recess. The final ministerial decision on awardees will be made public shortly.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to the consultation on the storage and retention of wills and other documents submitted in applications for probate which closed on 23 February; and what steps they have taken to ensure that no such documents have been destroyed in the meantime.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The response to the consultation will be published shortly.
No wills or other defined documents have been destroyed. The consultation sought views on changes to modernise the storage of documents submitted in applications for probate. If the Government did decide to proceed with the proposal in the consultation no documents would be destroyed without Parliament agreeing to legislative changes.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the portrait of Baroness Thatcher by Richard Stone, commissioned by Gordon Brown in 2007, is part of the Government Art Collection; and if not, who owns it.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The portrait, which was moved in August, continues to hang in 10 Downing Street. It is owned by the Cabinet Office of which the Prime Minister’s Office is a part.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government where the portrait of Baroness Thatcher by Richard Stone will hang or be stored following its removal from the study of 10 Downing Street.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The portrait, which was moved in August, continues to hang in 10 Downing Street. It is owned by the Cabinet Office of which the Prime Minister’s Office is a part.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date the portrait of Baroness Thatcher by Richard Stone was removed from the study of 10 Downing Street.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The portrait, which was moved in August, continues to hang in 10 Downing Street. It is owned by the Cabinet Office of which the Prime Minister’s Office is a part.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had any discussions with the Metropolitan Police regarding reports that they are not investigating the illegal ignition of fireworks on bridges over the River Thames in central London on Wednesday 7 August, one of which landed in the Globe Theatre.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The choice of whether to open an investigation is a decision for the police, who are operationally independent from Government. Home Office Ministers and officials have no power to direct or control the operational activities of the police.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government which Minister will represent the United Kingdom at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
No Minister represented the United Kingdom at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, as the timing of the Committee coincided with the appointment of new Ministers and confirmation of their portfolios.
However a delegation comprising officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Historic England, as well as the UK’s Ambassador to UNESCO, have attended and represented the UK at the Committee, and kept Ministers updated on relevant issues.