House of Lords Business

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish, in draft, any secondary legislation relating to the introduction of a Magnitsky-style sanction regime prior to any such legislation being laid before the House; and whether such sanctions will cover those who, directly or indirectly, (1) profit from, and (2) are involved in, human rights abuse… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Baroness Anelay of St Johns to ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the World Health Organisation about the impact of the suspension of funding by the United States on its ability to lead partners in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3738

Baroness Anelay of St Johns to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase UK funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a consequence of the suspension of funding to the WHO by the United States.  HL3739

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the role played by community land trusts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the future contribution of such trusts to economic recovery; and what support they have provided, and intend to provide, to such trusts.  HL3740

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support charities, such as Coeliac UK, who are providing information to patients with dietary conditions; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the loss of income and the increase in demand for such charities’ services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3741

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that NHS dietary clinics can reopen to provide support to patients and the NHS quickly.  HL3742

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to support charities, in particular those that support the NHS, who have experienced a loss of income at the same time as an increased demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3743

Baroness Benjamin to ask Her Majesty's Government how they will monitor and report on the impact of the relaxation of regulations for supporting vulnerable children.  HL3744

Baroness Benjamin to ask Her Majesty's Government how, in the light of the relaxation of regulations for supporting vulnerable children, they are monitoring whether (1) children are meeting or speaking to their social worker, and (2) care reviews are being completed in the right timeframe.  HL3745

Baroness Benjamin to ask Her Majesty's Government how, in the light of the relaxation of regulations for supporting vulnerable children, they are monitoring and reporting on the impact of this decision on particular groups of vulnerable children, including (1) those in the care system, (2) young carers, and (3) those known to be at risk of sexual abuse or living with domestic abus… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Baroness Benjamin to ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the relaxation of regulations for supporting vulnerable children, they plan to consult charities working with vulnerable children to help assess the impact of these changes.  HL3747

Baroness Benjamin to ask Her Majesty's Government how they will determine when the relaxation of regulations for supporting vulnerable children should end.  HL3748

Lord Bird to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to assist libraries to loan more audio books and e-books during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what conversations, if any, they have had with the publishing industry about that issue.  HL3749

Lord Bird to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to prioritise libraries for early re-opening as lockdown restrictions are lifted; and what discussions they have had with the Local Government Association on this issue.  HL3750

Lord Blunkett to ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to develop a national COVID-19 test and tracing system; how that system will operate; how that system will be held accountable for its work; and what will be the role of local Directors of Public Health and related professionals.  HL3751

Lord Boateng to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of COVID-19 on the administration of justice, and in particular on (1) victim services, (2) litigants in person, and (3) defendants.  HL3752

Lord Boateng to ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received about the impact of COVID-19 on the (1) livelihoods, (2) retention, and (3) recruitment of lawyers who are dependent on the legal aid scheme; and what action they intend to take as a result of any such representations.  HL3753

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether some banks are requiring companies to freeze all loans and leasing with other financing institutions before agreeing loans under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme; and whether they consider such conditions are appropriate in the context of an 80 per cent guarant… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether it is appropriate for banks to make discretionary charges for any personal contact for the arrangement of coronavirus business loans; and whether there are any conditions on the fees that are covered under the scheme.  HL3755

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the requirement on the British Business Bank website that Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme loans must ‘have a borrowing proposal which the lender would consider viable, were it not for the pandemic’ means that loans required to assist with the situation caused by the pandemic and lockdown are not e… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the requirement for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme applications to include a business plan means that cashflow statements are required; and if so, what assessment they have made of whether it is appropriate to request such cash flow statements when the effect and duration of the pandemic is uncle… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted to ask Her Majesty's Government whether, under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, any conditionality by the lender is permitted for the bounce back micro-loans; and whether that funding is automatic following ticks on an application form.  HL3758

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted to ask Her Majesty's Government whether money laundering checks are impeding businesses from approaching alternative lenders to their own bank for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme; what percentage of loans are granted via applications to a different lender; and whether in-person presentation and certifications are required for money… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure bus and train services can operate safely when lockdown restrictions are lifted, in particular in relation to (1) social distancing, and (2) personal protective equipment for staff.  HL3760

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 28 April (HL3179), when they intend to publish the updated version four of the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways.  HL3761

Lord Carrington to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow dairy farmers affected by the collapse of the service trade during the COVID-19 pandemic to access the Retail Grant Hospitality Scheme or apply for bounce back loans in response to such farmers reported difficulty in accessing the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.  HL3762

Baroness Coussins to ask Her Majesty's Government whether supplementary schools which are (1) registered as community language examination centres, and (2) not registered as community language examination centres, have been informed that they can provide their language students with teacher assessments and predicted grades on the same basis as mainstream schools.  HL3763

Baroness Coussins to ask Her Majesty's Government whether students studying for GCSEs in a foreign language at a supplementary school will be eligible to sit the examination in the Autumn if they have been unable to do so this summer due to COVID-19.  HL3764

Baroness Coussins to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that all language students at supplementary schools who have been entered for a GCSE examination in that language this summer but are unable to sit it because of COVID-19 are refunded automatically with their full entrance fee.  HL3765

The Lord Bishop of Coventry to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help people around the world who are dependent on humanitarian assistance for food, particularly in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3766

The Lord Bishop of Coventry to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that religious minorities in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have equal access to humanitarian assistance.  HL3767

Lord Craig of Radley to ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Williams of Trafford on 16 March (HL2050), whether they have received the requests of 64 Hong Kong Military Service Corps veterans for right of abode in the UK enclosed with my letter to the Home Secretary, dated 19 March 2020; whether they will respond individually to veterans; and i… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Lord Dobbs to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a breakdown of the number of people in the UK who have died of COVID-19 (1) as a contributory, and (2) as the main, cause of death since 23 March.  HL3769

Baroness Helic to ask Her Majesty's Government what use they have made of the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre's civil emergency response mechanism as a means of sourcing personal protective equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and whether they have made any requests for assistance to the Centre.  HL3770

Baroness Helic to ask Her Majesty's Government what use they have made of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in attempting to procure personal protective equipment for the NHS.  HL3771

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty's Government what additional (1) funds, and (2) equipment, they intend to provide for the hospice movement to deal with the rising death rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3772

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran about its COVID-19 policies and the (1) infection, and (2) death, rates in that country.  HL3773

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support (1) Airbus, and (2) other aerospace companies to (a) ensure the survival of such companies, and (b) protect high-skilled jobs in the aerospace industry, during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3774

Lord Jopling to ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 5 March (HL1872), why they have adopted the EU's legislation on the use of growth hormones in food production; and what caused the change in policy held by previous governments on that legislation within the Council of European Agricultural Ministers.  HL3775

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help foreign nationals in the UK who wish to return home but who are unable to book travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3776

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that COVID-19 poses to recipients of kidney transplants.  HL3777

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that travel restrictions do not impede the movement of medical personnel and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3778

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that COVID-19 poses to BAME individuals; and how that compares to other ethnic groups.  HL3779

Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the results of the COVID-19 swab tests are reported by the date when the tests are taken; and if not, why not.  HL3780

Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of patients awaiting radiotherapy therapy for cancer have experienced delays in their treatment since January.  HL3781

Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty's Government what use is being made of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests to address the Covid-19 pandemic.  HL3782

Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the families of pharmacists and their staff who have died from COVID-19 will be eligible for the death in service payments announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.  HL3783

Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment was made of the effect of 'superspreaders' in the epidemiological models used to predict the spread of COVID-19.  HL3784

Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) mean, (2) mode, and (3) median, incubation period for COVID-19.  HL3785

The Lord Bishop of London to ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 29 January, the statement that “for detention to be lawful, there must be a realistic prospect of the individual’s removal from the UK within a reasonable timescale”, and the travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what steps they are taki… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

The Marquess of Lothian to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current political situation in Iraq and the efforts of its new prime minister-designate to form a new cabinet; and whether they have offered any support to the government of Iraq to assist in that respect.  HL3787

The Marquess of Lothian to ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in ensuring a sustainable peace plan in Ukraine; and what discussions they have had with the government of Russia about European security, including regional arms control.  HL3788

The Marquess of Lothian to ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the widespread global lockdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19, what assessment they have made of reports that some governments, particularly those in North Africa and the Middle East, are using the opportunity to prevent freedom of expression, crackdown on dissent and curb civil society; how they are monitorin… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

The Marquess of Lothian to ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have provided to the Palestinian authorities in Gaza to assist with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular in regard to living conditions, COVID-19 testing and the provision of healthcare; and what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about ensuring that Gaza is able to cope… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

The Marquess of Lothian to ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in concluding a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement in Yemen.  HL3791

The Marquess of Lothian to ask Her Majesty's Government what international responses they are initiating with partners in the UN to provide assistance to those states which are the least prepared to address the health and economic crises arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3792

Lord Lucas to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to add a link to the SAFERjobs scheme to webpages where they advise the public on how to report suspicious emails and phishing attempts.  HL3793

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty's Government what are the most recent figures for the percentage of the population who have died from COVID-19 in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales and (4) Northern Ireland; and in which of those regions is the rate of infections decreasing the fastest.  HL3794

Lord Mann to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is taking to support employees who are still attending work and not shielding but have conditions that increase their vulnerability; and in particular in cases where employers are not willing, or able to support, such employees.  HL3795

Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) number, and (2) geographical spread within England, of (a) buzzards, and (b) red kites.  HL3796

Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK horticultural industry.  HL3797

Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the interactions between the (1) legal, and (2) judicial systems, in the UK and Poland.  HL3798

Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the interactions between the (1) legal, and (2) judicial systems, in the UK and Hungary.  HL3799

Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of current (1) terrorist, and (2) other security, threats in (1) Libya, (2) Tunisia, (3) Algeria, and (4) Morocco.  HL3800

Baroness Pinnock to ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have provided to landlords about fulfilling the statutory obligation to conduct gas safety checks on properties during the COVID-19 pandemic.  HL3801

Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with British Airways about their financial position; and when any such discussions took place. [T]  HL3802

Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on Heathrow airport of reports that British Airways plans to make up to 12,000 staff redundant.  HL3803

Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report Decarbonising Transport: Setting the Challenge, published on 4 March, and the reported relationship between the increase in the purchase of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and the average CO2 emissions per mile for new cars rising since 2016, what plans they have to discourage the purchase of SUVs.  H… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards encouraging operators providing electric vehicle charging infrastructure to introduce a single payment method for all public chargepoints.  HL3805

Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty's Government what is their target date for all buses to be ultra-low, or zero, emission.  HL3806

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick to ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) financial, and (2) other, support they intend to provide to businesses to assist with (a) customs, (b) animal, and (c) public health, requirements relating to the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  HL3807

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick to ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the benefits of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland are protected, and in particular the movement of goods in the island of Ireland.  HL3808

The Lord Bishop of St Albans to ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of dairy bought by the NHS in England in each of the last 12 months that was produced by UK dairy farmers.  HL3809

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK is participating in all EU meetings that may be dealing with the survival of UK citizens from COVID-19 or other similar threats.  HL3810

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty's Government whether all EU meetings which concern the wellbeing and security of UK citizens will be attended by a minister until the end of 2020.  HL3811

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK has continued membership of the EU’s Early Warning and Response System for pandemics.  HL3812

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether horticulture is as critical to the national economy as agriculture; and whether they plan to treat horticulture equally to agriculture in their plans for economic recovery.  HL3813

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether garden centres, gardens and public spaces are important for mental health, and whether they plan to prioritise the re-opening of such spaces when restrictions in place to address COVID-19 are being lifted.  HL3814

Lord Scriven to ask Her Majesty's Government how many COVID-19 tests (1) in total, and (2) in each NHS region, were carried out in care and nursing homes in each week from 1 March to 27 April.  HL3815

Lord Scriven to ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the basic reproduction rate of COVID-19 (1) inside, and (2) outside, of care homes, as of 30 April; what comparative analysis they have conducted of those figures; and what conclusions they have drawn from any such analysis.  HL3816

Lord Stunell to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the number of certified retrofit coordinators required under PAS2035:2019 that (1) will be required to support the delivery of the Retrofit Standards Framework at its commencement in June 2021; (2) are currently certified; and (3) are awaiting certification; and whether they are satisfied that there wil… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Lord Stunell to ask Her Majesty's Government what recent representation they have received on making further relaxations to permitted development rights to allow additional storeys to be built on existing residential buildings, and what is the timetable for any formal public consultation on such a change.  HL3818

Lord Stunell to ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the reduction of National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR) receipts in 2020/21 as a result of COVID-19, and what discussions have they had with the Local Government Association and councils about its impact on the operation of the Business Rates Retention Scheme and local authority budgets in succeeding years.… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Viscount Trenchard to ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in discussions with the European Commission about amendments to the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak, adopted on 19 March, to permit small and medium enterprises whose capital is principally represented by long-term shareholders… Item text truncated - open link to view full item text

Lord Truscott to ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to re-open (1) schools, (2) colleges, and (3) universities; and when they intend to announce any such plans.  HL3821

Lord Truscott to ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made with the Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review; and when they expect it to be completed.  HL3822