Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what was the amount of fines paid by each of the water companies in each of the past five years.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, the regulators will not hesitate to hold companies to account.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill will provide the most significant increase in enforcement powers to the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies in the next investment period, which is due to start in April this year.

Details of the enforcement action taken against water companies by regulators are available on the relevant regulator’s websites.

Enforcement action by Drinking Water Inspectorate can be found on the DWI website.

Enforcement action by Ofwat can be found on the Ofwat website.

Enforcement action by the Environment Agency can be found on the EA website.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many driving licences have been issued to individuals without an official proof of identity.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Since they were introduced in 1998, all applicants for a first photocard driving licence have been required to provide official evidence of identity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 5 February 2021 (HL1819), whether they will provide a reason why the Financial Conduct Authority has not launched an independent inquiry into banking fraud at HBOS and Lloyds Banking Group.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government regularly engages with a range of stakeholders across the financial services landscape, and it is important that communication can take place in a free and frank way.

The matter of HBOS Reading is first and foremost for the Financial Conduct Authority as the independent non-governmental body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry, and is subject to an ongoing review being led by Dame Linda Dobbs DBE.

The most appropriate form of investigation is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority to determine. However, the Government notes that the regulator has already undertaken an investigation into this matter, in addition to the Cranston Review and, latterly, the work of Sir David Foskett to ensure adequate compensation. The Financial Conduct Authority will receive a copy of the Dobbs Report in due course and will be able to consider whether any further action is appropriate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish any correspondence they hold with Lloyds Bank related to frauds at the Reading branch of HBOS.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government regularly engages with a range of stakeholders across the financial services landscape, and it is important that communication can take place in a free and frank way.

The matter of HBOS Reading is first and foremost for the Financial Conduct Authority as the independent non-governmental body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry, and is subject to an ongoing review being led by Dame Linda Dobbs DBE.

The most appropriate form of investigation is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority to determine. However, the Government notes that the regulator has already undertaken an investigation into this matter, in addition to the Cranston Review and, latterly, the work of Sir David Foskett to ensure adequate compensation. The Financial Conduct Authority will receive a copy of the Dobbs Report in due course and will be able to consider whether any further action is appropriate.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the number and value of government contracts awarded to companies with criminal convictions.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

For contracts awarded under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, this information is not collated centrally. Departments are responsible for making their own procurement decisions.

The Procurement Act 2023, which went live on 24 February, requires all suppliers bidding for public sector contracts to register via a central digital platform and declare any relevant convictions and exclusion information. The strengthened exclusions and new debarment provisions in the Act enable and, where appropriate, require the exclusion of suppliers convicted of relevant offences.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the link between stamp duty rates and house prices.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a transaction tax paid on the purchase of the property in England or Northern Ireland. A range of complex factors influence house prices in the UK.

On SDLT, the Office for Budget Responsibility publishes its assumptions on the relationship between SDLT and property prices.

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