Lord Soley Portrait

Lord Soley

Labour - Life peer

Became Member: 29th June 2005

Left House: 19th January 2023 (Retired)


Lord Soley is not a member of any APPGs
3 Former APPG memberships
Air Ambulances, Bahrain, Devolution
EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee
12th Jun 2015 - 23rd Apr 2020
European Union Committee
19th Jul 2018 - 15th Jul 2019
The Arctic
12th Jun 2014 - 11th Feb 2015
Inquiries Act 2005 Committee
11th Jul 2013 - 26th Feb 2014
Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee
2nd Feb 2009 - 15th May 2013
Intergovernmental Organisations Committee
15th Nov 2007 - 7th Jul 2008
Draft Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill (Joint Committee)
8th Feb 2005 - 5th May 2005
House of Lords Reform (Joint Committee)
19th Jun 2002 - 5th May 2005
Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee
1st Jul 1998 - 1st Jul 2001
Chair, Parliamentary Labour Party
10th May 1997 - 7th Jun 2001
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
16th Nov 1994 - 21st Mar 1997
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
26th Apr 1995 - 21st Mar 1997
Liaison Committee (Commons)
9th Jun 1995 - 21st Mar 1997


Division Voting information

Lord Soley has voted in 1005 divisions, and 7 times against the majority of their Party.

15 Jan 2014 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 12 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 28 Noes - 148
29 Oct 2013 - Care Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Labour No votes vs 52 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 271
10 Jan 2013 - Administration and Works Committee - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Labour Aye votes vs 63 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 82 Noes - 163
17 Jun 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 74 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 57 Noes - 129
14 Mar 2007 - House of Lords: Reform - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 45 Labour No votes vs 95 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 361 Noes - 121
14 Mar 2007 - House of Lords: Reform - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Labour Aye votes vs 105 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 46 Noes - 409
14 Mar 2007 - House of Lords: Reform - View Vote Context
Lord Soley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Labour Aye votes vs 104 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 45 Noes - 392
View All Lord Soley Division Votes

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)
(39 debate interactions)
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Liberal Democrat)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
(36 debate interactions)
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(31 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(84 debate contributions)
Home Office
(79 debate contributions)
Wales Office
(61 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Lord Soley's debates

Lords initiatives

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


Lord Soley has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Soley has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 30 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
3 Other Department Questions
19th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether car hire companies are legally permitted to refuse a car rental to a full licence holder on the basis of age.

I refer the Noble Lord to my previous answer to question HL1125 of 4 July 2022.

21st Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support research into new aircraft and engine technologies to reduce noise emissions from aviation.

The Government is supporting industry investment in the development and deployment of technologies for new aircraft, including technologies for new engines, aero structures and advanced systems, to reduce noise and other emissions from aviation.


This support is integral to the work between industry and Government through the Aerospace Growth Partnership and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), which published its Technology Strategy 2015 in July. To date, 100 ATI projects, worth around a total of £1bn, jointly funded by industry and government have been approved; and the majority of these are focused on technologies required to produce greener, more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
21st Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to develop a supportive environment in the United Kingdom for the development and deployment of new aircraft and engine technologies in order to reduce emissions from aviation.

The Government is supporting industry investment in the development and deployment of technologies for new aircraft, including technologies for new engines, aero structures and advanced systems, to reduce noise and other emissions from aviation.


This support is integral to the work between industry and Government through the Aerospace Growth Partnership and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), which published its Technology Strategy 2015 in July. To date, 100 ATI projects, worth around a total of £1bn, jointly funded by industry and government have been approved; and the majority of these are focused on technologies required to produce greener, more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
16th Jul 2015
BBC
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement on the BBC by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 16 July, whether they plan to publish full details of the programme of public consultation proposed for the BBC; and how the public will be informed and advised about that programme.

The BBC Trust is planning a wide ranging programme of activity to engage the public. This will encompass a public consultation, separate and complementary to that launched by government. It will also include a seminar series that will be open to the public and programmes of research and online engagement. Information on these events will be included on the Charter Review area of the .gov.uk website.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Barran on 29 October (HL3408), what assessment they have made of the number of children being home educated.

The department does not collect data on children who are home educated. However, we are aware of rising numbers of home-educated children.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. There are concerns about the rising numbers of home educated children, and how this increase is driven by reasons other than a commitment to home education. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

The government remains committed to a form of registration system for children not in school. Further details on this will be in the government response to the Children Not in School consultation, which will be published in the coming months.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
25th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Berridge on 28 April (HL14943), what steps they are taking to create a register of children being home-schooled in England.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school. We will set out further details on this in the government response to the ‘Children Not In School’ consultation, which we intend to publish before the end of the year.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy regarding the registration of independent schools in instances where Ofsted has expressed concern regarding that registration.

Any educational provider which offers a full-time education to 5 or more pupils of compulsory school age, or to 1 or more pupils of compulsory school age who are also looked after, or have an education, health and care plan, is required to register with the Department for Education. It is a criminal offence to conduct an independent school that is not registered. If convicted of this offence, a person could be subject to an unlimited fine, and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months.

Section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 outlines that Ofsted must inspect all proposed new independent schools against the Independent Schools Standards, and make a report to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, on the extent to which these standards are likely to be met following registration. The Secretary of State for Education must then decide, taking that report and any other evidence he has on the proposed school into account, whether the standards are likely to be met if it is to be registered as an independent school. If he is satisfied that the standards are likely to be met, he must register the school.

In practice, it is nearly always the case that where an inspection report shows that the standards are not likely to be met, the registration application is rejected. However, there are rare exceptions: for example, if remedial building work has been arranged, but has not yet been undertaken at the time of the inspection. In such cases, if the school is subsequently able to show that the work has been carried out successfully, so as to address all of the issues identified in the report, it is possible to register the school without the need for a further inspection.

Full guidance on registering an independent school is available through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-school-registration.

18th Jan 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they collect any statistics on the number of children who have been attending unregistered schools who are alleged to have suffered abuse; and whether they will publish any such statistics.

The Department does not hold any data on the number of children who are the subject of abuse inquiries, whose parents or guardians have been convicted of abuse, or who are alleged to have suffered abuse. We are taking steps to ensure that the education system is as robust as it can be when it comes to protecting young people. It is unacceptable for any child of compulsory school age not to receive a suitable education. Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that this does not happen.

The Department has taken robust steps to tackle unregistered schools. We are working closely with Ofsted who have agreed to take forward prosecutions for settings operating illegally as unregistered independent schools. We have also published proposals to introduce a new system to regulate out-of-school education settings which teach children intensively, and to intervene and impose sanctions where there are safety or welfare concerns. The call for evidence on out-of-school education settings closed on 11 January 2016 and responses are being analysed.

18th Jan 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they collect any statistics on the number of children being educated at home who are the subject of abuse inquiries, or where the parents or guardian have been convicted of abuse; and whether they will publish any such statistics.

The Department does not hold any data on the number of children who are the subject of abuse inquiries, whose parents or guardians have been convicted of abuse, or who are alleged to have suffered abuse. We are taking steps to ensure that the education system is as robust as it can be when it comes to protecting young people. It is unacceptable for any child of compulsory school age not to receive a suitable education. Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that this does not happen.

The Department has taken robust steps to tackle unregistered schools. We are working closely with Ofsted who have agreed to take forward prosecutions for settings operating illegally as unregistered independent schools. We have also published proposals to introduce a new system to regulate out-of-school education settings which teach children intensively, and to intervene and impose sanctions where there are safety or welfare concerns. The call for evidence on out-of-school education settings closed on 11 January 2016 and responses are being analysed.

21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to provide financial support to the UK fishing industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and when they intend to implement any such plans.

The Government announced a £10 million funding package for England’s fishing and aquaculture sectors on 16 April. The fund will help businesses within the sector meet the fixed costs they face, including insurance, equipment hire and port costs, and will help secure the long-term future of the English fishing industry.

This includes a £1 million Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme, which will fund projects to help seafood businesses in England increase the supply of local seafood to domestic markets.

Further information and guidance is available on MMO’s website.

8th Jun 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Verma on 7 June (HL Deb, col 663), what is meant by the phrase "depend on securing the right aircraft".

We are seeking to establish commercial air services using the southern approach to the runway where wind shear is not a significant issue. A number of aircraft types have been identified which should offer reasonable performance using a southern approach (the Airbus A318 and A319, Boeing 737-600 and 737-700). We are in discussions with airlines on how we can bring one of these into service.

21st Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether either the (1) Civil Aviation Authority, or (2) individual airport air traffic control systems, have responsibility for recording details of flight delays and cancellations.

Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.

In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.

Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.

Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.

Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.

On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.

We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how disputes between airlines and air traffic control systems over the reasons for delays and cancellations are recorded.

Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.

In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.

Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.

Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.

Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.

On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.

We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how a (1) passenger, or (2) other member of the public, can identify whether (a) an airline, or (b) air traffic control, are responsible for the delay or cancellation of a flight.

Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.

In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.

Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.

Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.

Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.

On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.

We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how a passenger whose flight has been delayed or cancelled can ascertain whether that cancellation or delay has been caused by air traffic control problems.

Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.

In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.

Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.

Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.

Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.

On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.

We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many flights (1) in, and (2) out, of Gatwick Airport were cancelled due to air traffic control problems (a) in total between 20 and 29 May, and (b) each day during that period.

We are aware that over the periods specified, there were some limited times when flow restrictions where in place at Gatwick. These restrictions are managed locally and operational decisions are taken, depending upon a variety of factors, including weather, flow rates in European airspace, delays on the ground and operational safety.

The safety of our skies is paramount, any decisions that air traffic controllers take will always prioritise safety.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many flights in and out of Gatwick Airport were cancelled as a result of air traffic control problems on (1) 29 May, (2) 30 May, (3) 31 May, and (4) 1 June.

We are aware that over the periods specified, there were some limited times when flow restrictions where in place at Gatwick. These restrictions are managed locally and operational decisions are taken, depending upon a variety of factors, including weather, flow rates in European airspace, delays on the ground and operational safety.

The safety of our skies is paramount, any decisions that air traffic controllers take will always prioritise safety.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage research into sustainable aviation fuels and advanced fuels technologies.

The Department for Transport ran an Advanced Fuels Call for Evidence in 2013/14 to examine the potential of advanced fuels in aviation and other transport sectors that cannot be easily decarbonised without low-carbon fuels. A summary of the evidence received was published with the Department’s response to the consultation on the post-implementation review of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) in April 2014. Amendments to the RTFO earlier this year increased rewards for gaseous fuels, such as biomethane used in freight, to better reflect their energy content.


The Department also commissioned an independent feasibility study to examine the economic benefits and potential of advanced biofuels in the UK, published in February 2014, the study informed the design of the Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Plant Competition for £25m of matched grant funding. Winning projects were announced on 7th September 2015.


Following the report of the Transport Energy Task Force in March 2015, we are assessing the benefits of making aviation biofuels eligible for certificates under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and support under that scheme for synthetic fuels from renewable electricity. We aim to include proposals in a public consultation next year on potential amendments to the RTFO scheme.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have conducted into (1) understanding how noise emissions from aviation impact on local communities, and (2) the effectiveness of different noise mitigation approaches in reducing the number of individuals affected by aircraft noises.

In 2012 a National Noise Attitude Survey was carried out on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which included attitudes to noise from transport sources including aircraft.


In 2014/15, Ipsos/MORI conducted on behalf of the Department for Transport a survey on noise attitudes which focused on noise from civil aviation, near to major airports in England. The results of the survey are currently being analysed with a view to publishing a report next year.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage the development of sustainable aviation fuels in the United Kingdom.

The Department for Transport and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership established a Transport Energy Task Force in September 2014 to examine options to meet our renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets, including through the wider deployment of sustainable biofuel. The Task Force included input from representatives of the Sustainable Aviation group. The Task Force’s report was published in March 2015 by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, the Hon Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Andrew Jones) met with Task Force representatives, including Sustainable Aviation, in July.


The Task Force recognised that sustainable biofuels have a valuable role in reducing carbon emissions from transport, particularly in sectors where there are limited alternatives such as aviation.


We are assessing the benefits of making aviation biofuels eligible for certificates under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). We aim to include proposals in a public consultation next year on amendments to the RTFO scheme.



Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to including producers of aviation fuel in the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.

The Department for Transport and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership established a Transport Energy Task Force in September 2014 to examine options to meet our renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets, including through the wider deployment of sustainable biofuel. The Task Force included input from representatives of the Sustainable Aviation group. The Task Force’s report was published in March 2015 by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, the Hon Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Andrew Jones) met with Task Force representatives, including Sustainable Aviation, in July.


The Task Force recognised that sustainable biofuels have a valuable role in reducing carbon emissions from transport, particularly in sectors where there are limited alternatives such as aviation.


We are assessing the benefits of making aviation biofuels eligible for certificates under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). We aim to include proposals in a public consultation next year on amendments to the RTFO scheme.



Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential to reduce aviation emissions through improved air traffic management.

The UK has set targets for the next five years for air traffic management aimed at reducing flying times and therefore aircraft emissions. These are in line with the environmental target contained within the EU performance scheme. In addition UK industry is actively involved in the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme which is developing new technology and operational procedures that will lead to further improvements in this area. This includes the implementation of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Future Airspace Strategy which has the need to reduce aviation emissions as a key objective.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to establish a regulatory framework authority to promote and provide safeguards for the development of neurotechnology.

Neurotechnology is regulated under general provisions for medical research, medical devices and the Data Protection Act 2018. Funders additionally have a responsibility to ensure that research funding is used for specific purposes. To improve the regulatory framework and ensure patient safety, in September 2021 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency launched a public consultation on the future of medical device regulation. Future regulatory requirements will apply to all medical devices where applicable, including those which fall under the category of neurotechnology. The United Kingdom additionally supports the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology and its associated principles. The UK will work with other OECD partners to help establish practical tools and guidance.

2nd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much additional funding they have provided to (1) Northern Ireland, (2) Scotland, and (3) Wales, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and, in each case, how much that represents per head of population.

We have so far announced £7.4 billion of additional funding to the devolved administrations to support people, business and public services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This means £3.8 billion for the Scottish Government, £2.3 billion for the Welsh Government and £1.3 billion for the Northern Ireland Executive.

This is equivalent to £700 per head of the Scottish population, £730 per head of the Welsh population and £680 per head of the Northern Ireland population. The differences in these per head figures are partly due to the differing extent of devolved responsibilities and partly due to the nation-specific elements of the Barnett formula.

9th Mar 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action will be taken by the captain of any British ship operating under the auspices of NATO in the Aegean Sea if they identify a migrant or refugee boat in Greek waters.

Royal Navy assets deployed in support of NATO's activity in the Aegean Sea will conduct reconnaissance and surveillance of illegal crossings. Migrant boats identified will, in the first instance, be reported to the Turkish and Greek coastguards and the EU Frontex mission for interdiction. However, if a migrant vessel was in distress, the Royal Navy ship would provide assistance, in accordance with international obligations.

Earl Howe
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
9th Mar 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the commander of the NATO operation against people smuggling in the Aegean Sea will have a liaison officer from Frontex with the fleet, and if not, what liaison will take place between that operation and Frontex and other EU border or coastguard agencies.

NATO and Frontex are finalising joint working and information sharing arrangements, which might include the deployment of Frontex Liaison Officers on board NATO ships. NATO is coordinating at the tactical level with the Turkish and Greek coastguards, and the NATO command ship already has Turkish and Greek military liaison officers on board.

Earl Howe
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
10th Mar 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there have been any Russian submarine activities within United Kingdom territorial waters over the past two years; and if so, where.

I am not prepared to comment on intelligence matters or to disclose the detail of maritime operations as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

8th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how long on average it takes for an applicant to receive a grant of probate.

Probate timeliness data up to March 2020 are due for publication on 25th June 2020.

21st Feb 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether statutory instruments have been used to introduce increased fines for criminal offences at any point in the last 30 years.

The standard scale of fines set down in the Criminal Justice Act 1982 for criminal offences in England and Wales was increased by primary legislation in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, and the Level 5 maximum was increased to an unlimited fine in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The standard scale has not been amended by Order in the period specified. Regulations may be made under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 provide alternative maximum penalties for some offences.