Viscount Astor

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain an authoritative central record of the number of private prosecutions taken over. To identify the exact number of times the CPS took over or forced the discontinuation of a private prosecution brought by the RSPCA would require a manual exercise to review individual files which would incur a disproportionate cost.

The Government is reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 to ensure it remains fit for the digital age. As part of its broad scope, the review called for evidence on the size of the black market for gambling in Great Britain and the ease with which consumers could access illegal gambling websites. The report by PwC on unlicensed gambling will be considered as part of the review.

The Gambling Commission assesses information gathered from multiple sources and works closely with partner agencies to prevent access to illegal websites by consumers in Great Britain. If the Commission decides to take action against an illegal operator, it will initially issue a Cease and Desist letter. If this action does not prove successful, it will use disruption techniques, which includes using its relationships with web-hosting companies to suspend or IP-block consumers in Great Britain from accessing websites, contacting payment providers to remove payment services, and liaising with social media sites to prevent websites appearing on search engines or being hosted. The Commission will also use some of the additional income that it is receiving from its recent fees uplift to increase its ability to tackle illegal gambling.

The Commission is aware that some illegal websites are targeted at people who experience significant harms from their gambling and self-excluded gamblers. The Commission is particularly focused on identifying and disrupting these illegal operators.

The Government is reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 to ensure it remains fit for the digital age. As part of its broad scope, the review called for evidence on the size of the black market for gambling in Great Britain and the ease with which consumers could access illegal gambling websites. The report by PwC on unlicensed gambling will be considered as part of the review.

The Gambling Commission assesses information gathered from multiple sources and works closely with partner agencies to prevent access to illegal websites by consumers in Great Britain. If the Commission decides to take action against an illegal operator, it will initially issue a Cease and Desist letter. If this action does not prove successful, it will use disruption techniques, which includes using its relationships with web-hosting companies to suspend or IP-block consumers in Great Britain from accessing websites, contacting payment providers to remove payment services, and liaising with social media sites to prevent websites appearing on search engines or being hosted. The Commission will also use some of the additional income that it is receiving from its recent fees uplift to increase its ability to tackle illegal gambling.

The Commission is aware that some illegal websites are targeted at people who experience significant harms from their gambling and self-excluded gamblers. The Commission is particularly focused on identifying and disrupting these illegal operators.

The Government is reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 to ensure it remains fit for the digital age. As part of its broad scope, the review called for evidence on the size of the black market for gambling in Great Britain and the ease with which consumers could access illegal gambling websites. The report by PwC on unlicensed gambling will be considered as part of the review.

The Gambling Commission assesses information gathered from multiple sources and works closely with partner agencies to prevent access to illegal websites by consumers in Great Britain. If the Commission decides to take action against an illegal operator, it will initially issue a Cease and Desist letter. If this action does not prove successful, it will use disruption techniques, which includes using its relationships with web-hosting companies to suspend or IP-block consumers in Great Britain from accessing websites, contacting payment providers to remove payment services, and liaising with social media sites to prevent websites appearing on search engines or being hosted. The Commission will also use some of the additional income that it is receiving from its recent fees uplift to increase its ability to tackle illegal gambling.

The Commission is aware that some illegal websites are targeted at people who experience significant harms from their gambling and self-excluded gamblers. The Commission is particularly focused on identifying and disrupting these illegal operators.

The Frontier Economics report is an independent economic analysis of the costs and revenues of the horseracing sector in Great Britain. This report forms one element of Government’s work on determining the rate which will be payable by gambling operators under the new funding system which is due to be in place by April 2017.

The Government intends to publish the findings of the Frontier Report in due course.

We are committed to replacing the current levy system to create a level playing field for British based and offshore gambling operators.

It has always been recognised that more work will be needed on the detailed design of a Horserace Betting Right before any legislative proposals can be brought forward. This work is now under way and is expected to be completed later this year. We have not set a target date for introducing a bill as this will depend on both the completion of the detailed design work and the availability of Parliamentary time.

The Government made a manifesto commitment to ban Trail Hunting as part of a set of measures to improve animal welfare. Work to determine the best approach is ongoing. Public stakeholders such as the British Hounds Sports Association will have the opportunity to contribute through any future consultation.

HS2 Ltd have been in consultation with the local authority Buckinghamshire Council about the impact of the Small Dean Viaduct at Wendover on A413 traffic flow. Agreed arrangements have been made so that the flow of the traffic underneath the viaduct will not be adversely affected. This has also been satisfied by road safety regulations.

In 2019 HS2 Ltd undertook a review of the design of the Small Dean Viaduct spanning the A413 south of Wendover with consideration for futureproofing the A413 for future growth. Currently the A413 is single carriageway. Public feedback has been taken through engagement events. In response to the study HS2 Ltd have confirmed that the building of the viaduct will not inhibit any future road widening of the A413. The outcome from this design review has shown that the dualling of the A413 can still be carried out with the viaduct in place, outside the remit of the HS2 programme. Moreover, the building of the viaduct will not inhibit future local authority development plans.

The outcome of this study has been reviewed by the local planning and highway authorities who are satisfied with this review and have no objection to the planned design of the proposed highway and viaduct design.

The local and route-wide sound, noise and vibration effects arising from the operation of HS2 were set out in the Environmental Statements for Phase One and Phase 2a. The predictions used in the assessments were based on noise and vibration models extensively validated against measurements of existing high-speed trains in the UK and abroad and supplemented with reasonably foreseeable worst case assumptions about the noise emitted by HS2 trains. Both Houses scrutinised such effects before passing the High- Speed Rail (London to West Midlands) 2017.

The Department for Transport has incorporated the Infrastructure and Projects Authority top-down benchmarking methodology for tunnelling, developed in partnership with the British Tunnelling Society, as part of the Transport Infrastructure Efficiency Strategy benchmarking initiative.

The proposal for the short-mined tunnel at Wendover was rejected by the Government in 2018. We do not believe that this historical decision would have been any different had this methodology been applied at the time. The decision to reject the proposed short-mined tunnel at Wendover was based on the estimated cost of mitigating the poor ground conditions in the area of the proposed tunnel.

HS2 Ltd used both of the reports referred to at (1) and (2) as guides to the development of cost estimates for the tunnels on the Phase One route. Both reports are principally focussed on bored tunnels, and their application to cost estimate development for a mined tunnel would be limited. HS2 Ltd did however develop a bottom-up cost estimate of a mined tunnel in the Wendover area, to aid options analysis.

When proposals for a mined tunnel at Wendover were re-submitted to the Department by mbpc Ltd on behalf of Wendover Parish Council after Royal Assent had been granted, HS2 Ltd subsequently undertook a separate comparative line by line cost analysis of the mbpc proposal, prior to the Department rejecting the mined tunnel proposal in 2018.

Producing a further bottom-up estimate with contractor involvement (following the Main Works Civils Contracts award in July 2017) was rejected in October 2018 on the grounds of cost, and this was communicated in writing to the constituency MP at that time.

Since Royal Assent for Phase One in 2017, and in line with best practice for any major infrastructure investment, HS2 Ltd has undertaken and completed a comprehensive review of scope ahead of HMG awarding Notice to Proceed in April 2020. This review concluded that the high-level design and scope of the programme was appropriate for meeting the scheme’s business case objectives. Overall, the maturity of design for the scheme has developed significantly, moving from high-level designs for the scheme in 2017 to shovel-ready designs for the major civils works in 2020. In some cases, this maturing design has resulted in localised changes in specification, design and scope. However, these changes do not impact on the overall commitment to meet the scheme’s objectives.

Before the move to virtual proceedings one minute speaking time limits were very rare. Before Easter of this year there had not been one since 2016.

An inevitable consequence of lockdown has been that members have had more time to take part in debates. There has not been a corresponding increase in the amount of parliamentary time available. In fact, because of the public health, administrative and broadcasting constraints the House is working under there has been a reduction in the amount of time available.

Members can see how many others are signed up to speak so are able to make an informed decision as to whether they wish to contribute.

(1) The information requested is not available: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not make an estimate of the amount of revenue lost through illegal online gambling.

HMRC estimates the tax gap[1], the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. For the tax year 2019 to 2020, the other excise duties tax gap, which includes betting and gaming, cider and perry, spirits-based ready-to-drink beverages and wine duties was £610 million.

(2) The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB)[2] is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; and is required to collect a statutory levy, the Horserace Betting Levy. The information requested is not available from HMRC.

[1] Tax gap statistics are available at: Measuring tax gaps - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

[2] Horserace Betting Levy Board has a separate website: https://www.hblb.org.uk/

All DNA samples taken by the Service Police or Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the course of their investigations are analysed and a DNA profile is produced. This profile is then uploaded onto the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the physical DNA samples are destroyed within six months unless they are required for disclosure as evidence, in which case they may be retained for as long as the need exists under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1996. The Service Police and MDP do not maintain their own databases, meaning that any Service Police and MDP DNA searches are carried out against the NDNAD. The retention periods for DNA profiles on the NDNAD depend on the outcome of the investigation, the age of the offender and the type of offence.

Entirely separate from DNA profiles which are uploaded to the NDNAD because of a Service Police or MDP investigation, and which are accessible to all Home Office Police Forces during their investigations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains DNA reference samples which are voluntarily provided by Service personnel. These are used solely for the identification of deceased Service personnel and to reduce delays for grieving families, when other methods of identification such as visual and dental are not available. Such DNA reference samples are taken by consent, which means the consent given before death remains valid for a DNA sample intended for use after death. The MOD’s voluntary DNA reference sampling policy complies with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Each DNA reference sample is stored, unanalysed, in an “un-sequenced” physical state, preventing them from being entered onto any database or used for any purposes until authorised by either a Coroner for a post-mortem or as directed by the donor. These voluntary DNA samples will be destroyed upon leaving the Service, at the request of the donor, or after 45 years, whichever is soonest. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 prohibits the un-sequenced DNA voluntarily provided by Service personnel for identification purposes from being released to the Police.

All DNA samples taken by the Service Police or Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the course of their investigations are analysed and a DNA profile is produced. This profile is then uploaded onto the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the physical DNA samples are destroyed within six months unless they are required for disclosure as evidence, in which case they may be retained for as long as the need exists under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1996. The Service Police and MDP do not maintain their own databases, meaning that any Service Police and MDP DNA searches are carried out against the NDNAD. The retention periods for DNA profiles on the NDNAD depend on the outcome of the investigation, the age of the offender and the type of offence.

Entirely separate from DNA profiles which are uploaded to the NDNAD because of a Service Police or MDP investigation, and which are accessible to all Home Office Police Forces during their investigations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains DNA reference samples which are voluntarily provided by Service personnel. These are used solely for the identification of deceased Service personnel and to reduce delays for grieving families, when other methods of identification such as visual and dental are not available. Such DNA reference samples are taken by consent, which means the consent given before death remains valid for a DNA sample intended for use after death. The MOD’s voluntary DNA reference sampling policy complies with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Each DNA reference sample is stored, unanalysed, in an “un-sequenced” physical state, preventing them from being entered onto any database or used for any purposes until authorised by either a Coroner for a post-mortem or as directed by the donor. These voluntary DNA samples will be destroyed upon leaving the Service, at the request of the donor, or after 45 years, whichever is soonest. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 prohibits the un-sequenced DNA voluntarily provided by Service personnel for identification purposes from being released to the Police.

All DNA samples taken by the Service Police or Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the course of their investigations are analysed and a DNA profile is produced. This profile is then uploaded onto the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the physical DNA samples are destroyed within six months unless they are required for disclosure as evidence, in which case they may be retained for as long as the need exists under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1996. The Service Police and MDP do not maintain their own databases, meaning that any Service Police and MDP DNA searches are carried out against the NDNAD. The retention periods for DNA profiles on the NDNAD depend on the outcome of the investigation, the age of the offender and the type of offence.

Entirely separate from DNA profiles which are uploaded to the NDNAD because of a Service Police or MDP investigation, and which are accessible to all Home Office Police Forces during their investigations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains DNA reference samples which are voluntarily provided by Service personnel. These are used solely for the identification of deceased Service personnel and to reduce delays for grieving families, when other methods of identification such as visual and dental are not available. Such DNA reference samples are taken by consent, which means the consent given before death remains valid for a DNA sample intended for use after death. The MOD’s voluntary DNA reference sampling policy complies with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Each DNA reference sample is stored, unanalysed, in an “un-sequenced” physical state, preventing them from being entered onto any database or used for any purposes until authorised by either a Coroner for a post-mortem or as directed by the donor. These voluntary DNA samples will be destroyed upon leaving the Service, at the request of the donor, or after 45 years, whichever is soonest. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 prohibits the un-sequenced DNA voluntarily provided by Service personnel for identification purposes from being released to the Police.

All DNA samples taken by the Service Police or Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the course of their investigations are analysed and a DNA profile is produced. This profile is then uploaded onto the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the physical DNA samples are destroyed within six months unless they are required for disclosure as evidence, in which case they may be retained for as long as the need exists under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1996. The Service Police and MDP do not maintain their own databases, meaning that any Service Police and MDP DNA searches are carried out against the NDNAD. The retention periods for DNA profiles on the NDNAD depend on the outcome of the investigation, the age of the offender and the type of offence.

Entirely separate from DNA profiles which are uploaded to the NDNAD because of a Service Police or MDP investigation, and which are accessible to all Home Office Police Forces during their investigations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains DNA reference samples which are voluntarily provided by Service personnel. These are used solely for the identification of deceased Service personnel and to reduce delays for grieving families, when other methods of identification such as visual and dental are not available. Such DNA reference samples are taken by consent, which means the consent given before death remains valid for a DNA sample intended for use after death. The MOD’s voluntary DNA reference sampling policy complies with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Each DNA reference sample is stored, unanalysed, in an “un-sequenced” physical state, preventing them from being entered onto any database or used for any purposes until authorised by either a Coroner for a post-mortem or as directed by the donor. These voluntary DNA samples will be destroyed upon leaving the Service, at the request of the donor, or after 45 years, whichever is soonest. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 prohibits the un-sequenced DNA voluntarily provided by Service personnel for identification purposes from being released to the Police.

All DNA samples taken by the Service Police or Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the course of their investigations are analysed and a DNA profile is produced. This profile is then uploaded onto the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the physical DNA samples are destroyed within six months unless they are required for disclosure as evidence, in which case they may be retained for as long as the need exists under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1996. The Service Police and MDP do not maintain their own databases, meaning that any Service Police and MDP DNA searches are carried out against the NDNAD. The retention periods for DNA profiles on the NDNAD depend on the outcome of the investigation, the age of the offender and the type of offence.

Entirely separate from DNA profiles which are uploaded to the NDNAD because of a Service Police or MDP investigation, and which are accessible to all Home Office Police Forces during their investigations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains DNA reference samples which are voluntarily provided by Service personnel. These are used solely for the identification of deceased Service personnel and to reduce delays for grieving families, when other methods of identification such as visual and dental are not available. Such DNA reference samples are taken by consent, which means the consent given before death remains valid for a DNA sample intended for use after death. The MOD’s voluntary DNA reference sampling policy complies with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Each DNA reference sample is stored, unanalysed, in an “un-sequenced” physical state, preventing them from being entered onto any database or used for any purposes until authorised by either a Coroner for a post-mortem or as directed by the donor. These voluntary DNA samples will be destroyed upon leaving the Service, at the request of the donor, or after 45 years, whichever is soonest. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 prohibits the un-sequenced DNA voluntarily provided by Service personnel for identification purposes from being released to the Police.