Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why a detainee at Colnbrook Immigration Centre was denied HIV medication.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
All immigration removal centres (IRCs) have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses, which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers, and delivered in line with the national service specifications for healthcare services in IRCs. There is also full access to the 24-hour on-site healthcare team and where appropriate, medication.
We take the health and welfare of those detained in our care very seriously. All detained individuals entering an IRC receive a healthcare screening within two hours of their arrival, which identifies any immediate or long-term healthcare risks. Unless they decline, individuals in IRCs are given an appointment with a doctor within 24 hours. Clinical pathways into other healthcare services are initiated at this point depending on the outcomes of the reception screening, including into sexual health services and specialist HIV prescribers. Those carrying prescribed medication will have their medication checked and re-issued by healthcare teams at the earliest possible opportunity. Individuals continue to have access to medical assistance, including medication, throughout their time in an IRC.
We are working closely with NHS England to ensure that HIV positive detained individuals, who refuse or frustrate access to their existing held medications, can be seen promptly by qualified HIV doctors who are able to access and prescribe without delay.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a rapid UK visa authorisation process for those Afghan citizens who worked in Kabul with former Royal Marine Commando Paul Farthing for the charity Nowzad.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Our Afghan relocation policy is one of the most generous in the world and has already supported over 7,000 directly employed former Afghan staff and their families to leave Afghanistan under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP). As we continue to significantly accelerate the pace of relocations, thousands more will follow.
The Government is rightly prioritising the evacuation of British citizens, their family members and those who qualify for the ARAP by virtue of their work directly for and with HMG. But we are also making every effort to ensure those who are at risk by virtue of their work with charitable or humanitarian organisations are able to leave Afghanistan safely.
The Home Office is committed to providing protection for vulnerable people fleeing Afghanistan. The Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme will welcome up to 5,000 vulnerable Afghans to the UK, who have been forced to flee the country, in its first year, with up to a total of 20,000 in the long-term.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to comply with Article 14.12 of the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and (2) to discuss measures with the government of Japan to ensure adequate remuneration for (a) performers, and (b) producers, of phonograms used for (i) broadcasting, or (ii) any communication to the public.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
Article 14.12 of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) commits the UK and Japan to discuss measures to ensure adequate remuneration for performers and producers of phonograms when phonograms published for commercial purposes are used for broadcasting or for any communication to the public.
The Parties are currently discussing the implementation of committees under CEPA, including a Committee on Intellectual Property where technical discussions, including those relating to performer and producer remuneration rights, can take place.
The Government will continue to consult with stakeholders, including through the department’s Trade Advisory Groups and Thematic Working Groups, to inform its discussions.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership on the intellectual property sector.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The UK’s intellectual property (IP) regime achieves an effective balance between rewarding creators and innovation, and reflecting wider public interests such as ensuring access and use of IP on reasonable terms. The Government will not sign trade deals that compromise the UK’s world leading IP regime.
The Government will publish its negotiation objectives for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, scoping assessment, and consultation response in advance of the start of accession negotiations.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish their analysis of the economic impact of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
On Monday 1st February, the Government submitted its notification of intent to begin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process. This was the first formal step towards accession before the launch of formal negotiations.
The Government will publish the negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of the start of formal negotiations. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the CPTPP membership, negotiations will begin once the CPTPP membership formally invite the UK to proceed. The Government expects this decision will be taken soon.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect formal negotiations on the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to begin.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
On Monday 1st February, the Government submitted its notification of intent to begin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process. This was the first formal step towards accession before the launch of formal negotiations.
The Government will publish the negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of the start of formal negotiations. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the CPTPP membership, negotiations will begin once the CPTPP membership formally invite the UK to proceed. The Government expects this decision will be taken soon.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish (1) their outline approach, (2) a scoping analysis, (3) their response to public consultation, and (4) a timetable for negotiations, on the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
On Monday 1st February, the Government submitted its notification of intent to begin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process. This was the first formal step towards accession before the launch of formal negotiations.
The Government will publish the negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of the start of formal negotiations. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the CPTPP membership, negotiations will begin once the CPTPP membership formally invite the UK to proceed. The Government expects this decision will be taken soon.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group approved the control of eight GP Services contracts to be passed to Operose Health; and what consultation involving (1) local authorities, and (2) patient representatives, was undertaken before that decision was approved.
Answered by Lord Bethell
After forming a partnership with Operose Health Ltd, the contract owner AT Medics Ltd asked permission of the the North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as the commissioner of the relevant services, for the transfer of the holdings to Operose Health Ltd. Such a transfer is allowed under the terms of the GP contract. In this case, there was no legal or contractual basis for the CCG to reject the transfer as it will not lead to any significant change in service provision. The contract owner remains AT Medics Ltd and the change of control of the holding company to Operose Health Ltd does not affect service provision in any way.
No consultation involving local authorities and patient representatives was undertaken as this is only required when there is a significant change in service provision.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the Victoria and Albert Museum about securing for the Theatre & Performance Collection (1) expert custodianship, and (2) continued safe access for (a) researchers, and (2) other members of the public.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The V&A Museum has a duty to protect its collections and make them available to the public. The responsibility to determine how to discharge this duty is delegated to the Museum, as an Arm’s Length Body of Government. As such, the proposed restructure of the V&A’s Curatorial, Research and National Art Library departments is an operational matter for the Museum.
As the sponsor department, we have a close working relationship with the museum and I am assured that - even after these changes are made - there will be no material impact on public access, including for research purposes, to the Theatre and Performance Collection, and that appropriate expertise will be retained when the new structure is in place.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to maintain funding for the UK's participation in the Horizon programme at the same level as that before the UK's departure from the EU; and what plans they have to (1) maintain, and (2) enhance, the level of funding for UK Research and Innovation.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I'm pleased we reached agreement to take part in Horizon Europe, this is a great outcome for British businesses and researchers. We are continuing to work through the details of the costs for Horizon Europe.
Similarly, we are currently working closely with our delivery partners, including UKRI, to develop the 2021/22 allocations and help them plan their implementation.
We will set out our plans for R&D spend in 2021/22 – including funding for Horizon Europe and UKRI – in due course.
We are increasing funding for research and development and putting it at the heart of economic and social recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, enabling us to build back better for a greener, healthier and more resilient UK. We are committed to increasing total UK investment in R&D to 2.4% of GDP by 2027.