Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are employed by non-departmental public bodies of the Department for Business and Trade through Skilled Worker visas.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The requested data is not held centrally in a reportable format.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the geographical boundaries of each air quality agglomeration zone in England.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK is divided into 43 zones for air quality assessment. There are 28 agglomeration zones (large urban areas) and 15 non-agglomeration zones. The geographical boundaries of air quality zones and agglomerations in England are set out in the Air Pollution in the UK Report (see attached) and are also made available through the compliance map on the UK-Air website.

Question

To ask The Leader of the House, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 16 December (HL12733), what plans she has to ensure Ministers fulfil the requirement set out in paragraph 266 of the Guide to Parliamentary Work, published on 19 November 2024, to answer questions on behalf of arm’s-length bodies, including non-departmental public bodies.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The Guide to Parliamentary Work is a useful tool for departments to use when interacting with Parliamentary processes. When answering Questions for Written Answer the guide states that “the formal time-limit for answering questions is 10 working days.” and that “it is a recognised right of Parliament that Members receive full and timely responses.” As stated in the guidance there is an advisory cost limit known as the disproportionate cost threshold which is the level above which departments can decide not to answer a written question. The current threshold is £850.

I have reminded Ministers and my office has contacted all Parliamentary Teams about this guidance and the requirements in relation to arm's-length bodies including non-departmental public bodies mentioned in paragraph 266.