House of Lords

Session 2017-19 Thursday No. 208 17 January 2019

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND WRITTEN ANSWERS

Written Statements ...... 1

Written Answers ...... 4

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/ Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office. This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/. Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister Responsibilities Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords Lord Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lord Ashton of Hyde Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Baroness Barran Whip Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Wales Office Baroness Buscombe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions Lord Callanan Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office Baroness Fairhead Minister of State, Department for International Trade Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Baroness Goldie Whip Lord Henley Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland and Ministry of Justice Spokesperson Baroness Manzoor Whip Baroness Stedman-Scott Whip Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip Baroness Vere of Norbiton Whip Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development Lord Young of Cookham Cabinet Office Spokesperson and Whip Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip

Written Statements 17 January 2019 Page 1

“A Clean Planet for All”: a long-term strategy for EU Written Statements greenhouse gas emissions reductions – exchange of views: Thursday, 17 January 2019 The Commission introduced their long-term strategy on Counter-Terrorism and Border Security climate, which was published on 28th November 2018, which recommends that the EU aims for net-zero [HLWS1218] greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, following which the Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the Council held its first exchange of views. The Council Minister of State for Security (Ben Wallace) has today agreed that the strategy should be discussed in multiple made the following Written Ministerial Statement: council formations in the coming months. Interventions I am today placing in the Library of the House the focused on the aim for net zero-emissions, the importance Home Office’s analysis on the application of Standing of just transition, the recognition of specific national and Order 83O of the Standing Orders of the House of regional circumstances, the contribution of technology to Commons relating to public business in respect of the decarbonisation, and the role of national long-term Lords amendments to the Counter-Terrorism and Border strategies. Security Bill. The UK intervened to highlight that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Environment Council Special Report on 1.5 degrees underscored the urgency of tackling climate change, and welcomed the strategy as a [HLWS1220] serious response that also underlines the benefits of taking Lord Gardiner of Kimble: My Hon Friend the action, and stresses the need to ensure that no one is left Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the behind in the transition. The UK highlighted the action Environment (Dr Thérèse Coffey), has today made the being taken across the UK to tackle climate change, and following statement. the role of Clean Growth in the domestic Industrial I attended EU Environment Council on 20 December in Strategy. The UK welcomed the focus in the strategy on Brussels. Mairi Gougeon MSP, the Scottish Minister for Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS), given its Rural Affairs and Natural Environment also attended. vital importance in reducing the costs of decarbonisation and the need for collaboration to scale up CCUS, and also I wish to update the House on the matters discussed. highlighted the need to consider nature-based solutions. CO2 Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty vehicles AOB items Regulation – General Approach: The following items were also discussed under Any Council reached an agreed position (“General Other Business. Approach”) on the regulation on CO 2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The European Commission had 1. Report on recent international meetings: United proposed an indicative 30% reduction in emissions by Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 24th 2030, with a 15% reduction by 2025. session of the Conference of the Parties: A full roundtable heard Ministers set out their The Presidency, Commission, and Poland, which held respective positions. The UK intervened calling for the presidency of the Twenty Fourth Session of the greater ambition for 2030 and stressing the need to agree Conference to the Parties (COP) to the United Nations a strong overall package of measures. The Presidency Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), presented a revised proposal; the key element being a presented on COP24, which took place in Katowice, binding 2030 target, which was sufficient to achieve a Poland, on 2-14 December 2018. The agreement of the General Approach. One Member State abstained. rulebook underpinning the Paris Agreement was welcomed as a significant achievement. Regulation on LIFE – partial General Approach: 2. Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy on The Presidency introduced their compromise text for a adaptation to climate change: partial General Approach of the LIFE programme (the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, Council noted the information from the Presidency. nature conservation and climate action projects 3. The ‘Graz Declaration’ - Starting a new era: Clean, throughout the EU), to run from 2021-2027. In this safe and affordable mobility for Europe: revised text, the Presidency reintroduced the role of the Council noted the Presidency presentation on the Graz LIFE committee and placed greater emphasis on Declaration, which was agreed at October Informal geographical balance. Member States welcomed the Environment Council (29-30 October). adoption of the partial general approach. Whilst all could support the agreement, a number of Member States 4. Measures at EU level to create the conditions for intervened to restate their preference for higher co- discontinuing the use of the environmentally problematic financing rates. substances contained in plant protection products:

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Council noted the information from the Belgian 8. The future of European Environment Policy – delegation on plant protection products. Towards an 8th EU Environment Action Programme: 5. Intermediary Sessions of the Meeting of the Parties Council noted the information from the Presidency on to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment plans to develop an eighth EU Environment Action in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) and the Programme. Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): 9. Environmental and climate ambition of the future Lithuania, supported by Luxembourg, presented CAP: information concerning the draft recommendations of the Council noted the information from the German United Nations Economic Commission for Europe delegation, supported by the Luxembourg delegation. (UNECE) Espoo Convention Implementation Committee regarding the Ostrovets new nuclear project in Belarus. These recommendations will be tabled for possible Foreign Affairs Council endorsement by the Intermediary Session of the Meeting [HLWS1221] of the Parties to the Convention in February 2019. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Right Honourable 6. Current legislative proposals: Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alan Duncan), has made the The Presidency and the Commission provided an following written Ministerial statement: update on current environmental legislative proposals: Regulation on Taxonomy; Directive on single-use My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for plastics; the Regulation on persistent organic pollutants Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will attend the (POPs) (recast); the Regulation on environmental Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 21 January. It will be reporting; the Directive on Drinking Water (recast); and chaired by the High Representative of the European the Regulation on CO2 from Cars and Vans: Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), Federica Mogherini and will take place in Several Member States welcomed the proposals, in Brussels. particular the progress on the Single-Use Plastics Directive. On the recast of the Drinking Water Directive Current Affairs the Commission urged all Member States to show The HRVP is expected to cover Venezuela, the flexibility and work together to make swift progress. The Democratic Republic of Congo and may also raise Syria. UK intervened to welcome the progress on single-use Disinformation plastics, and outlined the work being done across the UK to tackle plastic waste. On drinking water, the UK noted Ministers will discuss implementation of the EU Joint the recent progress towards a compromise on materials in Action Plan on Countering Disinformation that was contact with drinking water, but indicated that there were approved at the December European Council. We will be still outstanding concerns, and on persistent organic pushing for adequate funding to allow for full pollutants (POPs), the UK intervened to support the implementation and a robust process of review to ensure Council position on Decabromodiphenyl ether (a flame that the Plan achieves its objectives. We will also seek to retardant) and the existing approach for updating the highlight our leadership on this issue and willingness to annexes. collaborate with EU partners after March 2019. Russian State disinformation was a pre-cursor to conflict in 7. Report on recent international meeting - Convention Georgia in 2008, the invasion and illegal annexation of on Biological Diversity (CBD) and update from the UK Crimea in 2014 and has been used across EU countries on the London Illegal Wildlife Conference: since. We have successfully countered a disinformation The Commission and Presidency reported back on the campaign targeted against UK interests across Europe recent international meeting on the Convention on following the Salisbury attack. Biological Diversity (CBD), in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt EU-LAS on 17-29 November. The UK intervened to welcome Ministers will discuss the EU-League of Arab States progress so far and to highlight the commitment that (LAS) Summit that will take place in February in Egypt. needs to be shown from governments, civil society and The Summit is the first of its kind and offers an business in order to develop an ambitious post 2020 opportunity to deepen the EU’s relationship with biodiversity framework. members of the League of Arab States. The UK will Following this, the UK gave a short update on the support the EU’s ambition for the Summit to cover a outcomes of the London Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) range of priority topics including migration, Yemen and Conference held on11-12 October 2018, outlining the Syria. We are expecting that the FAC will discuss the importance of Member States continuing to work together decision by some members of the LAS to re-establish to tackle this important issue, and the need to treat IWT as diplomatic relations with Syria. The UK will be clear we a serious organised crime. have no plans to do so.

Written Statements 17 January 2019 Page 3

EU-ASEAN A new order has been made under section 56(1B) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to enable Reservists to be called The FAC will discuss regional issues and the future of the EU- ASEAN relationship ahead of the EU-ASEAN into permanent service in support of the HMG contingency planning for a no deal EU exit scenario. Ministerial on the same day. Defence is committed to assisting the Cabinet Office Council Conclusions coordinated work programme to ensure that there are The Council is expected to adopt Conclusions on effective and proportionate contingency plans in place to Nicaragua, ASEAN and possibly Yemen. With the French mitigate the potential immediate impacts leaving the EU, and Germans, we are also seeking approval of under a ‘No Deal’ scenario, might have on the welfare, Conclusions on Iran that should reaffirm the EU’s health and security of UK citizens and economic stability continued commitment to the JCPoA whilst also of the UK. highlighting our concerns about Iran’s regional and Reserve Forces will be on standby to deliver a range of ballistic missile activity. Defence outputs such as: reinforcement of Regular sub- units, liaison officer roles and the provision of specialist No-deal EU Exit Contingency Planning: Call- skills. A particularly important role may be the planned out Order reinforcement of Regional Points of Command, to enable their 24/7 operation and resilience. We would also expect [HLWS1219] Reserves to be drawn upon to support the implementation Earl Howe: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State of contingency plans developed by Other Government for the Armed Forces (The Rt Hon Mark Lancaster TD Departments. VR) has made the following Written Ministerial The order shall take effect from the beginning of 10 Statement. February 2019 and shall cease to have effect at the end of 9 February 2020.

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the British Army Recruiting Partnering Project, Written Answers published on 14 December 2018, why they did not test the proposed changes to their recruitment approach for Thursday, 17 January 2019 army recruitment prior to the introduction of the partnering agreement with Capita Business Services. Affordable Housing [HL12607] Asked by Lord Porter of Spalding Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the intend to publish additional planning guidance to report by the National Audit Office Investigation into supplement the definition of affordable housing set out the British Army Recruiting Partnering Project, in the glossary of the revised National Planning Policy published on 14 December 2018, why the British army Framework, published on 24 July 2018, to ensure that it did not simplify its recruitment process before specifies affordable rent to buy. [HL12594] introducing the Capita online army recruitment system. [HL12610] Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Rent to buy is identified as a type of affordable housing in the revised Earl Howe: At the outset of the contract the Army and National Planning Policy Framework. We intend to Capita failed to understand the complexity of the Army update planning guidance on affordable housing in due recruitment requirement and the challenges faced. These course. were compounded by the delays in developing the new information technology to support the processes. The Army and Capita are implementing a range of Airports: Unmanned Air Vehicles policy and process changes to increase enlistments to the Asked by Lord Naseby Army. These have been informed by lessons learned and are, where appropriate, being piloted prior to full To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they introduction. The improvements include changes to intend to introduce urgent legislation to immediately simplify and streamline the process. implement a five-kilometre drone exclusion zone as proposed by the British Airline Pilots Association for Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath all commercial and military airports; if so, when; and if To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the not, why not. [HL12715] report by the National Audit Office Investigation into Baroness Sugg: As set out in my recent Statement [7 the British Army Recruiting Partnering Project, January 2019 vol 794] on the Government’s response to published on 14 December 2018, whether the British our recent consultation Taking Flight: The Future of army has completed its assessment into whether it can Drones in the UK, we will be taking forward several adapt the Capita online army recruitment system for its measures to ensure that passengers have confidence that own use after the Capita contract ends in 2022. their journeys will not be disrupted by drones, that aircraft [HL12609] can safely use our key transport hubs and that criminals Earl Howe: The Future Recruiting Programme (FRP) misusing drones can be brought to justice. is considering the best approach to Armed Forces Although any restriction zone would not have prevented recruiting for when the current contract expires. The a deliberate incident such as that seen recently at Gatwick, Ministry of Defence has secured, under the contract with we want to ensure that proportionate measures are in Capita, the rights to use, modify or copy the Defence place at airports to protect aircraft and avoid potential Recruiting System at the end of the current contract, or conflict with legitimate drone activity. We will therefore we could decide to source a new on-line system. As part introduce additional protections around airports, with a of the FRP an early scoping project has been initiated to particular focus on protected exclusion zones 5km from look at the future ICT provision, no conclusions or runway ends at a width of 1km, alongside increasing the decisions have yet been made. current restrictions to the extent of existing Aerodrome Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Traffic Zones (ATZ) around airports. Drone pilots wishing to fly within these zones must only do so with To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the permission from the aerodrome air traffic control. The report by the National Audit Office Investigation into Department for Transport will amend the Air Navigation the British Army Recruiting Partnering Project, Order 2016 to implement these changes. published on 14 December 2018, what action they are taking to improve contract (1) letting, and (2) Army: Recruitment management. [HL12611] Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Earl Howe: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually seeks to improve its commercial award and To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the management processes. We have established a report by the National Audit Office Investigation into comprehensive training and education programme under Written Answers 17 January 2019 Page 5 the Commercial Professionalism Programme, which is China: Prisoners supported by a robust accreditation process. Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool Improving skills and capability will achieve better commercial delivery, which will continue to be measured To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the against the Government commercial operating standards. Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21 December 2018 (HL12218), when they intend to More broadly, contract letting and contract management respond to the interim judgment of the Independent activities have also been looked at as part of the Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners Government's work to build a new model for delivering of Conscience in China, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice outsourced services. The MOD has been actively engaged QC. [HL12693] in this work. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As I said during the House of Lords Oral question on 10 January, my officials Cars: Manufacturing Industries attended the final day of the recent tribunal into organ Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick harvesting allegations, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC. We are aware of the preliminary findings and are awaiting To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are the final outcome of the tribunal, which we will review as taking to help boost growth in the UK car industry. we do with all available evidence. [HL12605] Lord Henley: The automotive sector is one of the great Civil Disorder industrial success stories of our country with one of the highest productivity levels in Europe amongst the major Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno automotive producing nations. The automotive Sector To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they Deal announced last year will ensure that the UK have, if any, to deploy armed forces to deal with civil continues to be one of the most competitive locations in disturbances after Brexit. [HL12551] the world for automotive manufacturing. This includes a commitment of £246m to develop and Earl Howe: It is the responsibility of the police to scale-up world leading battery technology for electrified manage public order. There are no plans to deploy Armed vehicles and a commitment of £1bn over 10 years to the Forces personnel to deal with civil disturbances after Advanced Propulsion Centre to research and develop the Brexit. Defence remains closely engaged on contingency next generation of low carbon technology to keep the planning for a No Deal Brexit and has developed a plan to sector at the cutting edge of innovation. Since it was make around 3,500 Service personnel available to support announced in July 2013, APC has awarded 44 the civil authorities if necessary. collaborative R&D projects worth £770 million backed with £368 million from Government. We are also committed to investing over £250 million in public Cybercrime funding up to 2021/22, matched by industry, into R&D Asked by Lord Fox and testing infrastructure to accelerate the development of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies and To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they anchor them in the UK. will take to promote UK–EU cooperation on cybersecurity after the UK leaves the EU, including compliance with the proposed establishment of Channel Ferries: Government Assistance European cybersecurity certification schemes. [HL12598] Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours Lord Ashton of Hyde: We remain committed to To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the working with our European and International partners to letter sent by the President of Getlink to the Secretary help shape cyber security measures, which is in the of State for Transport on 2 January, whether (1) the interests of our wider collective security. This is clearly provision of £103 million to ferry operators for the outlined in the 'Political Declaration', which sets out a provision of additional cross-Channel freight capacity vision for close relationship in cyber security, including breaches the concession agreement with Eurotunnel, through participation of certain activities of ENISA, the and (2) they conducted an assessment of the impact on EU Cybersecurity Agency and the NIS Cooperation obligations under competition and state aid law. Group. The EU 'Cybersecurity Act', which sets out a [HL12741] framework for the development of EU wide cyber Baroness Sugg: In the Government's view, the security certification schemes reached political agreement contracts do not breach the concession agreement with in December and we will be working with the EU to Eurotunnel. Obligations under competition and state aid consider the future implications for this legislation as part law were taken into account as part of the contractual of this close relationship. The UK will continue to apply process. international cyber security standards, which the EU Page 6 17 January 2019 Written Answers

'Cybersecurity Act' promotes the use of, because these are European Economic Area and European in the interests of better cyber security and are important Free Trade Association to avoid market fragmentation globally. Asked by Lord Lea of Crondall Asked by Lord Fox To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures consider the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement, they plan to include in their forthcoming Online Harms published on 20 December 2018, constitutes a treaty for white paper to mitigate against the risks of new types of the purposes of the Constitutional Reform and harms such as (1) stolen data, (2) invasion of privacy Governance Act 2010. [HL12669] and (3) interdependence of cyber and physical risks that could arise from increased use of Internet of Things Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As outlined in the technologies. [HL12599] Explainer for the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement, published on the 20 December 2018 on the gov.uk Lord Ashton of Hyde: The Online Harms White Paper website, it will be subject to the provisions of the will set out a range of legislative and non-legislative Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRaG). measures to tackle a range of online harms. The Government takes both the protection of personal data Food: Prices and the right to privacy extremely seriously. The Data Protection Act 2018 makes our data Asked by Lord Hayward protection laws fit for the digital age and empowers To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions people to take control of their data. The Government has they have had with supermarket retailers about the recently published a Code of Practice for Consumer pricing of wrapped and unwrapped fruits and Internet of Things Security, which outlines thirteen vegetables. [HL12600] guidelines that manufacturers should follow to keep consumers safe. DCMS will be working to drive Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government regularly implementation of this Code throughout 2019. engages with stakeholders and organisations in the retail sector directly, through Trade Associations and the Food The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and and Drink Sector Council. This includes discussing Sport held a round table, to which Peers were invited, on current issues, gaining the industry viewpoint and 15th January 2019 to seek views on the scope of the providing policy updates. forthcoming White Paper. The Government is also working with retailers and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections encourage their efforts to reduce waste and to explore the introduction of plastic-free supermarket initiatives in Asked by The Marquess of Lothian which fresh food is sold loose, giving consumers increased choice. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current political situation in the The Government does not have any role in setting food Democratic Republic of the Congo following the delay prices nor does it comment on the pricing policies of the in the announcement of the results of the presidential food industry. We work closely with industry to promote election held on 30 December 2018. [HL12709] transparency for consumers and internationally to promote open global markets. This all helps to create a Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note the provisional competitive domestic market for UK consumers. results announced by the electoral commission (CENI) Food prices, including fruits and vegetables, depend on and are concerned about the disparities with the polling a range of factors, including commodity prices, exchange conducted by the National Episcopal Conference of the rates and oil prices. Congo (CENCO). We join the President of the Africa Union Commission’s call for all parties to preserve peace Forced Marriage and urge restraint. We continue to call for all sides to respect the electoral process. The UK believes that Asked by Baroness Tonge peaceful and credible democratic processes are vital to To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will creating a prosperous Democratic Republic of the Congo cease repatriation charges for women and girls escaping (DRC). forced marriage abroad. [HL12562] The leader of the opposition in DRC, Martin Fayulu, has contested the results and filed an appeal in the Asked by Baroness Tonge constitutional court. As the Foreign Secretary said in a To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they tweet on 14 January, due process must be respected on will publish information on their policy of charging this legal challenge. This is a critical moment for DRC women and girls the costs of being repatriated to the and the wider region. UK to escape forced marriage abroad. [HL12563] Written Answers 17 January 2019 Page 7

Asked by Baroness Tonge and will continue to look closely at any evidence around this issue. To ask Her Majesty's Government how much debt each of the victims of forced marriage repatriated in In September 2018, 16 regulators from Europe and the 2016–17 has outstanding to the Foreign and USA, including the Gambling Commission signed a Commonwealth Office. [HL12564] declaration which outlined common concerns around gaming and gambling. The regulators agreed to work Asked by Baroness Tonge together to monitor the characteristics of video games and To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will social gaming and where there is potential cross-over into return the passports to women and girls who have gambling. outstanding debts to the Foreign and Commonwealth We welcomed the introduction last year by the VSC Office after being repatriated to escape forced marriage. Ratings Board and PEGI of a new label for video games [HL12565] to warn parents where they include the opportunity to make in-games purchases such as loot boxes. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a world- Microtransactions in games—including loot boxes—are leader in the fight to tackle the brutal practice of forced further subject to the Consumer Protection from Unfair marriage, with our joint Home Office and Foreign and Trading Regulations 2008 which protect against Commonwealth Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) misleading or aggressive marketing. which leads efforts to combat it both at home and abroad. After careful consideration, the Foreign Secretary has DCMS is working closely with the games industry, decided that victims of forced marriage who are helped to agencies such as the Video Standards Council (VSC) and return to the UK by the Forced Marriage Unit will no others to improve online safety in games, including longer be asked to take out a loan for their repatriation promoting healthy and responsible gaming. To better costs. From now on, none of those who are assisted by the understand the relationship between social media and the Forced Marriage Unit - and would previously have been mental health of children and young people up to 25 years offered a loan - will have to cover the costs of their old, the Chief Medical Officer will be leading a repatriation. Where possible, the Government will systematic review to examine all relevant international continue to seek to ensure the costs fall on the research in the area. perpetrators by means of Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs). The Government has also agreed to London-Exeter Railway Line ensure that those victims who have outstanding loans will Asked by Lord Patten have no further cost fall to them. We are in the process of contacting those victims to notify them of this change. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Their passports will also be unblocked. they have made of the cost of upgrading all of the The FMU provides support and advice for victims, railway line between Waterloo and Exeter to double those at risk, and professionals, through its public track. [HL12569] helpline. The support offered ranges from providing Baroness Sugg: Network Rail’s 2015 Wessex Route information and guidance to organising rescue and Study concluded that the forecast levels of growth repatriation to the UK for victims overseas. between Salisbury and Exeter did not justify the need for additional sections of double track. Therefore, upgrading Gambling: Internet the single track sections of the line between London Waterloo and Exeter to double track is not a priority in Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath the next Control Period (CP6). Further consideration may To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions be given to this matter in Network Rail’s long term they have had with the Children’s Commissioner about planning considerations for subsequent control periods. mystery boxes in online games; and whether those boxes encourage online gambling by children. North Korea: Sexual Offences [HL12663] Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK's To ask Her Majesty's Government what action, if any, Ambassador to North Korea has presented a copy of they intend to take to prohibit the use of mystery boxes the report by Human Rights Watch into sexual violence in online games. [HL12664] against women in North Korea You Cry at Night but Don’t Know Why, published on 11 November 2018, to Lord Ashton of Hyde: Mystery boxes in video games, the authorities in Pyongyang; and, if so, what was the also known as loot boxes do not fall under gambling law response. [HL12690] where the in-game items acquired are confined for use within the game and cannot be cashed out. However, the Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK continues to Government is aware of concerns that loot boxes could have grave concerns over the human rights situation in encourage gambling-like behaviour and longer term lead North Korea. The Human Rights Watch report entitled to gambling related harm, especially amongst children, ‘You Cry at Night but Don’t Know Why’ is a stark Page 8 17 January 2019 Written Answers reminder of the widespread sexual exploitation and The Department for Transport’s freight and franchising violence against women in North Korea. The Government teams are working closely to ensure that current and is committed to addressing all forms of violence against future freight flows are properly considered as part of the women and girls. We regularly raise human rights franchise design process. We encourage passenger concerns with the DPRK authorities via our Ambassador operators to explore innovative ways to exploit the in Pyongyang and the DPRK Embassy in London. The carriage of goods on passenger services, and would be North Korean authorities have dismissed the report’s supportive of proposals to do so in the bidding process. findings as a fabrication. We urge them to take the accounts seriously and take steps to investigate and Ramsgate Port: Channel Ferries address the abuses of power described. Asked by Lord Berkeley Railway Stations: EU Law To ask Her Majesty's Government which ferries are planned to operate the Ramsgate–Ostend route from 30 Asked by Lord German March 2019; where and when they were built; whether they will conform to the latest Maritime and To ask Her Majesty's Government what derogations Coastguard Agency regulations applicable to roll-on from EU legislation the UK has in respect of the heights roll-off ferries published after the MS Herald of Free of platforms at UK railway stations. [HL12702] Enterprise disaster; and what, if any, safety derogations Baroness Sugg: The EU Infrastructure Technical they will be given. [HL12697] Specification for Interoperability contains an exemption Baroness Sugg: Specific vessel arrangements are a allowing new or upgraded UK railway station platforms matter for operators. All vessels must comply with all to be built to a nominal height of 915mm. regulatory requirements that apply to them.

Railways: Franchises Ramsgate Port: Dredging Asked by Lord Myners Asked by Baroness Young of Old Scone To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have they have made of the use of auctions to award rail carried out an environmental impact assessment of the franchises; and whether they intend to use the same current dredging of the channel at the Port of process to award future franchises. [HL12544] Ramsgate; if so, whether, and when, the Environment Agency evaluated and accepted that impact assessment; Baroness Sugg: The Williams Rail Review is looking and when approval was given for the dredging to begin. at the current franchising system and considering how it [HL12768] can best support the public and private sector to work together, while delivering benefits for passengers, freight Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Environment Agency and taxpayers. was consulted by the Marine Management Organisation on the application from Ramsgate Royal Harbour for the The Department will publish a White Paper on the current dredging project at the Port of Ramsgate, on the review’s recommendations, with the implementation of 10 December 2015. reforms planned to start from 2020. Whilst the Review is underway, we will continue to work closely with the The application included an environmental impact industry to ensure that rail delivers the day-to-day assessment and the Environment Agency submitted performance and transformational improvements that comments on the 22 December 2015. passengers expect. The Environment Agency accepted the proposal with the condition that material deposited within European Asked by Baroness Randerson Union bathing waters is only deposited outside the To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they European Union bathing season. have, if any, to amend the rail franchise bidding process The dredging activity does not put at risk the Water and franchise specification to require bidders for a Framework Directive, therefore there is not a significant franchise to assess the scope for utilising unused risk to the environment. capacity at certain times of day on passenger services Permission was given for the activity by the Marine for the carriage of lower volume and higher value Management Organisation on the 29 March 2016. freight. [HL12808] Baroness Sugg: The Government is committed to Seaborne Freight transporting more goods by rail and we support the carriage of goods on passenger trains. Our Rail Freight Asked by Lord Berkeley Strategy, published in September 2016, identified the To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, before opportunity for the use of space on passenger rail services awarding Seaborne Freight a contract to provide to transport goods. additional shipping services to and from Ramsgate in Written Answers 17 January 2019 Page 9

the event of a no deal Brexit, they complied with the country. The latest of which is for 2017, and can be found provisions of section 7 of the Government Functional (attached) at: https://www.homeless.org.uk/facts/our- Standards for General Grants Guidance that "all research/annual-review-of-single-homelessness-support- Government grants shall be subject to timely and in-england. proportionate due diligence and fraud risk assessment"; This Government is committed to reducing and whether they will place a copy of any contract due homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should ever diligence report in the Library of the House. [HL12646] have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we Baroness Sugg: No grants have been made to Seaborne published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy Freight, nor are there any plans to make any. Seaborne which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help Freight has been contracted to provide ferry services and people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the will only be paid for those services after they have been structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. provided. The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending Sleeping Rough: Greater London review period. The Answer includes the following attached material: Asked by Lord Davies of Stamford Annual Review of single homelessness [190114 Annual Review To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they 2017- HL12652.pdf] have made of the number of people sleeping rough in London from 21 December 2018 to 7 January 2019. The material can be viewed online at: [HL12651] http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions- answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-08/HL12652 Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: This Government is committed to halting rough sleeping by 2022 and Asked by Lord Davies of Stamford eliminating it altogether by 2027. No one should ever To ask Her Majesty's Government how many places have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we are available in hostels in London for rough sleepers published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy accompanied by a dog or dogs. [HL12653] which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Central government structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. does not commission hostel provision directly. This is The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to done at the local or mayoral authority level. For this tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending reason we do not hold data on the total number of hostel review period. spaces available in London, nor specific data on those National street counts and intelligence driven estimates rough sleepers with dogs. of people sleeping rough are conducted every autumn. However, the government does commission Homeless The next publication will be released on 31 January 2019 Link to conduct annual reviews on single homelessness at: support, which includes the number of hostel bed spaces https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homelessness (and void bed spaces) in the capital, and across the -statistics#rough-sleeping country. The latest of which is for 2017 and can be found The Greater London Authority (GLA) also commission (attached) at: https://www.homeless.org.uk/facts/our- the CHAIN database which holds information on the research/annual-review-of-single-homelessness-support- number of people rough sleeping in London. This is in-england. published quarterly, and the next data release will be We appreciate that those rough sleeping with dogs have available on 31 January 2019 at: specific needs and do fund, through the Rough Sleeping https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports Initiative (RSI) and other programmes provision that Asked by Lord Davies of Stamford accounts for this. For example, the new St Mungo’s RSI hostel in Bristol takes clients with dogs, as does To ask Her Majesty's Government how many places emergency accommodation in St Edmundsbury and in hostels in London were available for rough sleepers Nottingham. The RSI funded floating London hub – that from 21 December 2018 to 7 January 2019; and what moves between boroughs and is currently in Westminster was their aggregate occupancy rate. [HL12652] – also accepts dogs into their service. Moreover, as a Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Central government result of RSI funding, Birmingham has linked closely does not commission hostel provision directly. This is with Dogs On the Streets (DOTS). This organisation has done at the local or mayoral authority level. For this significantly helped in working with entrenched rough reason we do not hold data on the total number of hostel sleepers who have dogs and other pets. As with the spaces available in London, nor their occupancy rate. complex needs of any rough sleeper, we try and ensure someone having a dog, or any pet, is not a barrier to them However, the government does commission Homeless getting the help they require. Link to conduct annual reviews on single homelessness support, which includes the number of hostel bed spaces This Government is committed to reducing (and void bed spaces) in the capital, and across the homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should ever Page 10 17 January 2019 Written Answers have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we The Answer includes the following attached material: published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help Annual Review [190114 Annual Review 2017HL12653.pdf] people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the The material can be viewed online at: structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions- The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-08/HL12653 tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period.

Index to Statements and Answers

Written Statements ...... 1 Counter-Terrorism and Border Security ...... 1 Environment Council...... 1 Foreign Affairs Council ...... 2 No-deal EU Exit Contingency Planning: Call-out Order ...... 3 Written Answers ...... 4 Affordable Housing ...... 4 Airports: Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 4 Army: Recruitment ...... 4 Cars: Manufacturing Industries ...... 5 Channel Ferries: Government Assistance ...... 5 China: Prisoners ...... 5 Civil Disorder ...... 5 Cybercrime ...... 5 Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections ...... 6 European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association ...... 6 Food: Prices ...... 6 Forced Marriage ...... 6 Gambling: Internet...... 7 London-Exeter Railway Line ...... 7 North Korea: Sexual Offences ...... 7 Railway Stations: EU Law ...... 8 Railways: Franchises ...... 8 Ramsgate Port: Channel Ferries ...... 8 Ramsgate Port: Dredging ...... 8 Seaborne Freight ...... 8 Sleeping Rough: Greater London ...... 9