Transport: A1 Dual Carriageway

Lord Steel of Aikwood Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I am not sure that I am in a position to comment on something that was said many years ago, but speed is of the essence here. When we complete this particular upgrade of the A1 on time, freight, tourists, locals and everyone else who wants to use the road will at last be able more speedily to reach the border—and I hope beyond, but that is up to the Scottish Government.

[Lord Steel of Aikwood (LD)]

On that last point, would the Minister be kind enough to consult his opposite number in the Scottish Government, Mr Yousaf, with a view to making sure that the benefit of these works extends right the way to Edinburgh?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

The noble Lord is absolutely right and I can confirm that consultation is going on. We are very much hoping for, but have no influence over, the decision that the Scottish Government will make.

School Census: Pupils’ Nationality

Lord Steel of Aikwood Excerpts

Wednesday 12th October 2016 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My noble friend makes a good point. I should reassure him that the DfE has robust processes in place to ensure that the confidentiality of pupils’ details is maintained, and there are necessary checks and balances to ensure that there is no inadvertent misuse of these data. I go further to say that there is no requirement for schools to request or see documentary evidence such as a passport or birth certificate; it is purely focused on specific issues, with those safeguards.

[Lord Steel of Aikwood (LD)]

How do the Government propose to count the growing number of children who have dual nationality?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I believe that I have answered that question to the extent that all pupils are taken account of and the schools of course have their own management information system to be able to monitor pupils from wherever they come—from within this country or abroad.