David Drew

There are three courses available to support Members’ staff whose roles bring them into contact with vulnerable people:

• Conversations with vulnerable people – which includes how to engage with someone who may present with suicidal feelings;

• Building emotional resilience – which seeks to develop the emotional skills required to cope with the personal stress of handling emotive situations; and

• Mental health awareness – which includes being aware of suicidal feelings.

The training is provided by the Samaritans and Mind and is delivered on demand both in Westminster and in City locations around the UK.

Support for Members’ staff is available through an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured. This is a free confidential helpline that is available 24/7 for all Members’ staff provided on behalf of the House that allows staff to discuss and seek advice on personal and professional issues, including stress at work. Additionally, face-to-face counselling sessions can be offered where appropriate.

On 17 January a holding answer was provided while the information was being prepared. A substantive answer was provided on 30 January and is available at:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-01-14/208188/

The House of Commons has a debt management process regarding the recovery of monies owed by all parties. In relation to Members’ catering accounts, all sums due are expected to be settled within six weeks. Statements are sent out monthly and undisputed amounts owed are charged ten days later to the Members nominated card. Any amounts outstanding after the settlement date are followed up by emails, letters and telephone calls.

As shown in table 1, a total sum of £440 currently outstanding against catering and banqueting accounts is related to Member expenditure. There are no amounts outstanding in relation to former Members.

Table 2 sets out the outstanding amounts owed to the House, broken into Member and non-member categories, where non-members consist of trade and internal customers.

Since January 2018, Parliament’s Sound and Vision Contractor, NEP Bow Tie TV, have been conducting monthly checks with the support of the In-House Services Team on 69 assistive listening systems throughout the main rooms on the Parliamentary Estate to the current BS/IEC standards (BS8594 and 601884IEC). Prior to January 2018, these checks were carried out on an annual basis. A report is supplied each month to the contract owner, the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit, and the In-House Services Team and Diversity and Inclusion teams.

Independent audits are also conducted by Action on Hearing Loss.

In addition to monthly checks, a comprehensive, annual "Commissioning" test is carried out by NEP Bow Tie TV. This checks for Background Noise; Field Strength; Frequency Response; Live Listening; Live Signal; System Noise; Overspill; and Venue Accessibility.

Where high quality sound systems are installed, such as in the Chamber and in committee rooms, audio quality is generally good. However, a report by Wave Science Technology has highlighted that further improvements could be achieved in meeting rooms. The recommendations from the external audio consultant relating to assistive listening will be considered in January as part of an on-going review of audio/video provision in committee and other meeting rooms. This work has been undertaken by Parliament’s AV Programme which has been delivering other improvements to audio video systems across the Estate.

Although being single is not a protected characteristic (unlike, for example, race or sex) in the Equality Act 2010, single people can particularly benefit from other protec-tions in that legislation - for example, provisions which allow shops and attractions to charge older or younger people less than working-age adults. These concessions, for example cheaper haircuts for pensioners or discounted entry to events and museums for students and pensioners, are likely to be of particular benefit to single people, who are strongly represented in these groups.

Over the last few weeks the Digital Service has been working closely with our 3rd party providers to resolve issues relating to providing consistent connectivity to the internet direct/WMID WiFi services. Monitoring of the WiFi service has confirmed that the solution has stabilised and consistent connections have been achieved. Further WiFi improvement work is planned, working in conjunction with our providers.

The Digital Service is delivering a major investment programme for Parliament’s network; this is addressing issues around speed, resilience and most importantly security when accessing internet based services. As part of this programme, improvements to WiFi availability are being rolled out across the estate by installing additional WiFi access points. Members' areas have been prioritised, with some already completed and the rest (mainly Portcullis House and Palace of Westminster) will be completed by the end of June 2018.

Further targeted improvements across the estate, forming part of the infrastructure transformation programme, are being scoped including WiFi optimisation and efficiencies. These improvements are scheduled to conclude by February 2019.

The Digital Service is delivering a major investment programme for Parliament’s network; this is addressing issues around speed, resilience and most importantly security when accessing internet based services. As part of this programme, improvements to Wi-Fi availability are being rolled out across the estate by installing additional Wi-Fi access points. Members' areas have been prioritised, with some already completed and the rest (mainly Portcullis House and Palace of Westminster) will be completed by the end of June 2018.

Further targeted improvements across the estate, forming part of the infrastructure transformation programme, are being scoped including Wi-Fi optimisation and efficiencies. These improvements are scheduled to conclude by February 2019.

The term “general waste” refers to non-recyclable items. Instructions for our general waste bins in Parliament are that only non-recyclables and contaminated waste should be deposited in this waste stream. Therefore, there is no value in segregating the elements of this stream. General waste is separated from all other waste that Parliament produces and, as general waste, it remains segregated as such through to its final disposal at an Energy from Waste facility. This is the fourth layer of the waste hierarchy, and the highest level of the waste hierarchy at which such non-recyclables can be disposed of.

All recyclable items have already been removed at this stage as they will have been disposed of in the dry mixed recycling bins or glass bins located in offices and waste hubs.

We focus our efforts on encouraging individuals in offices to segregate their dry mixed recycling from general waste, so there should be no reason to further segregate the general waste. As previously stated, the general waste is sent to an Energy from Waste facility whereas the recycling will go to a Materials Recovery Facility.

Parliament’s Environment Team and waste contractor carry out audits to identify any pattern of recyclable items being incorrectly disposed of to the general waste stream.

All general waste is taken to Bywaters Materials Recovery Facility in Bromley-by-Bow. It is then consolidated with other general wastes for transporting to a licensed Energy from Waste facility in Kent run by Riverside Resource Recovery Limited.

Food and catering waste from catering facilities is segregated at the kitchens and is recovered offsite by means of anaerobic digestion to produce methane fuel and fertiliser. No catering waste from Parliament is sent to landfill.

Food waste from offices is not currently segregated but the feasibility of this is currently being considered.

There is a wide range of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) disposed of from the Parliamentary Estate. These include, but are not limited to IT wastes (computers, display screens, iPads, printers etc.), ‘white goods’ (desk fans, mini fridges, kettles etc.) and maintenance-based waste (fluorescent tubes, electrical fittings, emergency system batteries, catering fridges etc.), and includes hazardous and non-hazardous items.

A licensed contractor, Bywater Ltd, are engaged to dispose of end of life or non-operational white goods and maintenance WEEE. They use two specialist subcontractors who operate Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities (AATF) to ensure that WEEE waste is processed to the highest standards of licensing available from the Environment Agency. Non-hazardous WEEE is processed by Total Waste Management Ltd in Basildon, Essex, and hazardous WEEE is processed by Electrical Waste Recycling Group Ltd in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

For IT WEEE, Parliamentary Digital Services use the services of a fully licensed contractor, RDC, who likewise operate an AATF for those IT items which are at end of life or non-operational. For items that can be re-used once all data has been erased (to certified security standards), RDC operates a remarketing service aimed at maximising the re-use of IT equipment no longer required by Parliament.

Parliament is currently in the process of developing an electrical heater policy to reduce usage of these across the Estate. One associated benefit of this policy will be a reduction in electrical heaters being disposed of in our white goods WEEE waste stream.

That is the practice. As the House does not separate the contents of the general waste stream onsite, the entire content of the general waste bins is sent for incineration at an ‘energy from waste’ facility.

The House Service currently has 14 works contracts worth more than £500,000. None of the contracts let by the House Service are PFI projects. PFIs are not suitable to fund the sort of capital investments the House engages in. Accordingly the House has no formal policy on PFIs.

Parliament’s general waste stream, sent to incineration at an ‘energy from waste’ facility, is not routinely separated onsite or at the facility. Therefore an accurate figure of biodegradable material within this waste stream is unknown.

In November 2015, Parliament commissioned an independent audit of the general waste stream and found that approximately 28% of the sample (by weight) analysed comprised of biodegradable material.

Parliament’s ‘general waste’ stream is sent for incineration at an ‘energy from waste’ facility. General waste bins in offices are clearly marked and are for food, food contaminated packaging, crisps packets, tea bags, coffee grounds, disposable coffee cups and take away meal containers.

The House authorities and their waste contractor carry out audits of the general waste stream to identify opportunities to move general wastes up the waste hierarchy, by avoiding the generation of wastes in the first instance, and to identify ways to increase recycling where possible.

Press passes may be applied for via a business case addressed to the Serjeant at Arms. The business case should include:

• The name of their business organisation
• Details of circulation (including circulation figures)
• A copy of their editorial policy
• Proof of their qualification as a journalist and accreditation to a professional body
• How they envisage using potential access; i.e. how often they see access being required and what percentage of their coverage they envisage being of a political nature, directly attributable to their access
• Any other information which would support their request

Applications are considered on a case by case basis and, if agreed, passes are then issued by the Pass Office subject to the successful security vetting of the individual.

Depending on the business case presented passes may be issued for a trial period, with reassessment after that time, before the maximum three years is considered.

For details of current pass holders, individuals who are granted a parliamentary pass also complete a declaration which is recorded in the Register of Journalists’ Interests. This can be found on the parliamentary website here: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/parliamentary-commissioner-for-standards/registers-of-interests/register-of-journalists-interests/.

The Commission has asked the Administration Committee to review the sustainability and environmental management of single use disposable plastics in the House of Commons. The Administration Committee will be considering this matter in March.

Catering services provide a wide choice of dishes to cater for vegans and vegetarians throughout the estate. Menus are changed on a regular basis to provide variety and to reflect seasonality. There has also been an increase in the number of choices for vegans and vegetarians across our venues in recent years.

We gather customer suggestions and feedback through regular surveys and through our customer feedback email address. This assists us with our menu planning and to improve our offers and dishes on our menus where possible.

There are no specific plans to increase the range of food available to vegans and vegetarians. In 2017, all cafeterias supported National Vegetarian Week (15 to 19 May) and World Vegan Month (in November) where we promote and further offer a selection of dishes to our customers. Catering services will continue to promote these in 2018.

The Houses of Parliament have for many years recognised and supported Fair Trade Fortnight. Catering customers are made aware of Fair Trade Fortnight through promotional screens and posters in the catering venues. In addition, members of the Catering Team speak to interested customers at their tables about the Fair Trade organisation during the fortnight.

The House Service sources products that meet UK or equivalent standards of production, and considers purchasing Fairly Traded products where there is a competitive market. Since 1997, all coffee sold in catering outlets has been Fairtrade. Fairtrade products, including a variety of popular drinks and snacks labelled with the Fairtrade mark, are also sold by Catering Services in Parliament. Additionally, Parliament’s bottled water supplier is a social enterprise that donates proceeds to Water Aid.

In the calendar year of 2017, Parliament recycled 48.8% (937,854 kg) of waste. Parliament recovered 13.4% (253,056 kg) of waste, which is a process that applies to food waste, treated to produce methane fuel for energy generation with the solid residues used as soil improver.

In the same timeframe, Parliament incinerated 36.7% (691,464 kg) of waste at an ‘energy from waste facility’. No waste from the Parliamentary Estate goes to landfill.

Parliament already has a single wireless network. However, this can appear to be a number of different ones when viewing the WiFi available on estate. This is due to it being segmented into a number of logical virtual networks. This is designed to enable effective cyber security management depending on the end user connecting. For example, guests on the Parliamentary Estate and users of non-Parliamentary devices computers are asked to manually enter an ID and password. However, Members and users of Parliamentary-issued devices automatically connect to the network. PDS plan to rationalise the number of WiFi networks visible on the Parliamentary estate over the course of 2018, the intent being to reduce the number visible to the minimum viable to meet cyber security requirements.

Press passes may be applied for via a business case addressed to the Serjeant at Arms. The business case should include:

• The name of their business organisation
• Details of circulation (including circulation figures)
• A copy of their editorial policy
• Proof of their qualification as a journalist and accreditation to a professional body
• How they envisage using potential access; i.e. how often they see access being required and what percentage of their coverage they envisage being of a political nature, directly attributable to their access
• Any other information which would support their request

Applications are considered on a case by case basis and, if agreed, passes are then issued by the Pass Office subject to the successful security vetting of the individual.

Depending on the business case presented passes may be issued for a trial period, with reassessment after that time, before the maximum three years is considered.

For details of current pass holders, individuals who are granted a parliamentary pass also complete a declaration which is recorded in the Register of Journalists’ Interests. This can be found on the parliamentary website here: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/parliamentary-commissioner-for-standards/registers-of-interests/register-of-journalists-interests/.

The final report for the Magnox Inquiry is currently subject to an ongoing judicial review. We hope that the Magnox Inquiry will be able to publish it's report in the near future, subject to the outcome of the Judicial Review.

This paragraph refers to a method of averaging data over time rather than selecting information. This method has been used by the Buildings Research Establishment where raw test data cannot be used directly in its methodology for assessing Flue Gas Heat Recovery Systems. This is because the raw data would create anomalous fluctuations in the temperature gradient due to measurement uncertainty in the individual readings. This approach will be considered as part of the review.

The Department is in the process of procuring a third-party organisation to carry out the review. Our aim is to have the review completed around the turn of the year. However, this is subject to the detailed requirements identified by the reviewing organisation, such as the extent of laboratory testing required. Manufacturers will be informed of the outcome of the review when it concludes.

The entry for this product in the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB) is based on amendments to the standard methodology, which have been used on a provisional basis. The Department is commissioning a full review of the methodology for assessing Flue Gas Heat Recovery Systems. This is intended to confirm which amendments, if any, are necessary to ensure the methodology can accurately assess all such systems.

The UK was the first major economy to legislate for a net zero target. The action we are taking in setting this target will continue our proud tradition of climate leadership.

Finland, Denmark, Germany and Portugal have all set out aspirations or proposals to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions or net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, none has yet enshrined such a commitment in law.

Finland has stated its intention to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2035. Denmark has set out an intention to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in its climate plan ‘Together for a Greener Future’. Germany is currently debating a draft climate law which proposes a target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Portugal has approved a roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

BEIS discussed the matter with BRE following release of their paper of February 2018. BRE do not agree with the interpretation of their paper that boilers sold in England do not meet the efficiency standards set by Government, and they have confirmed that they have never held this view.

We have not made an estimate of the number of new models of boilers introduced since October 2017.

The table below presents the number of loft insulations per year delivered through major Government schemes since April 2011. These include an estimate of the lofts insulated using DIY material provide as part of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target up to December 2012. The total number of insulated lofts will be higher through DIY measures which are not recorded by BEIS.

It is not possible for BEIS to disaggregate loft insulation measures for all schemes between additional and replacement loft insulations.

Loft insulation measures per year (thousands)

This paragraph refers to a pre-processing (averaging) method that has been used by the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) where raw test data cannot be entered directly into its methodology for assessing Flue Gas Heat Recovery Systems (FGHRS). BRE intends to publish a document that describes the averaging method shortly.

The methodology used by BRE for assessing FGHRS for the Product Characteristics Database is published already at the following URL: https://www.ncm-pcdb.org.uk/sap/filelibrary/pdf/calculation_methodology/SAP_2009/FGHRS_calculation_method_28_10_10.pdf.

The reasons that entries for products from two manufacturers have not been calculated in full accordance with the standard BRE methodology are specific to each product. They have been communicated to the relevant companies.

BEIS discussed the matter with BRE following release of their paper of February 2018. BRE do not agree with the interpretation of their paper that boilers sold in England do not meet the efficiency standards set by Government, and they have confirmed that they have never held this view.

Condensing boiler efficiency is affected by water return temperature to the boiler. The design, efficacy and maintenance of the heat distribution system can impact this temperature. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25th June 2019 to Question 266061 for further details.