Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect workers exposed to the common flame-retardant Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) during the manufacturing process and to consumers purchasing products containing TCPP, given its classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "probably carcinogenic in humans" (Group 2A).
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Employers must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), ensuring that exposure to hazardous substances such as TCPP is kept as low as reasonably practicable. In foam manufacture, the COSHH hierarchy of control is key because workers may be exposed to TCPP through inhalation and skin contact.
Elimination is rarely feasible due to fire safety requirements, but substitution with less hazardous chemicals remains an important consideration. Engineering controls, such as closed systems and local exhaust ventilation, are the primary means of reducing exposure at source. Administrative measures and PPE provide additional protection, though COSHH emphasises that PPE should be a last resort.
The Department for Business and Trade is currently consulting on reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to meaningfully reduce the reliance on chemical flame retardants in the manufacture of upholstered furniture while maintaining a high level of fire safety.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Falkland Islands regarding carbon emissions; and what programmes they are supporting and what other steps they are taking to reduce carbon emissions in the territory.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Inventory Agency produces the Falkland Islands’ annual greenhouse gas inventory on behalf of the UK Government and engages with the Falkland Islands Government on emissions data.
We support the ‘Improving Falkland Peatland GHG Data’ Project which seeks to improve knowledge of carbon storage and emissions from Falkland peatland habitats and assess the feasibility of future carbon offsetting to finance peatland restoration.
We support the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources. This is an integral part of their right of self-determination.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the potential carbon emissions from the proposed Sea Lion oil field in the Falklands, what discussions they have held with the Falklands Islands government about those emissions, and what steps they are taking to ensure that the development of the oil field is environmentally safe, including minimising the risk of oil spills and other pollution.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
While the United Kingdom retains responsibility for defence, security and international affairs, the Falkland Islands Government is otherwise responsible for hydrocarbon development and the relevant regulatory framework, which includes provision for safety and environmental protection. The Falkland Islands Government have followed their own domestic legal processes in relation to the Sea Lion oil field, including in respect of assessing environmental impact. The UK Government has facilitated access to UK expertise, when requested, and has provided assistance and external challenge where appropriate.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to endorse the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, or to take other steps to end slavery in the UK supply chain, particularly given the fall in the number of inspections of seafood coming into the UK since Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government supports the principles underpinning the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency but has no current plans to endorse it. This Government is already leading in areas such as beneficial ownership transparency and its focus is on comprehensively improving transparency.
The Government is committed to tackling all forms of labour exploitation, ensuring the protection of workers and has ratified the International Labour Organisation’s Work in Fisheries Convention 188.
Defra works closely with competent authorities to ensure illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing documentary checks are completed at the border and appropriate verifications are conducted on seafood imports to the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 15 May 2023 (HL7503), what discussions they have held with the UK Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories (CDOTS) regarding carbon emissions, including extending the UK's ratification of the Paris Agreement to include the CDOTS within the UK's 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK is committed to extending the Paris Agreement to all eligible Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories (CDOTs) that wish to join, bringing them into scope of the UK’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Requests for extension are made at each CDOT’s discretion.
The UK has extended its ratification of the Paris Agreement to the Overseas Territory of Gibraltar (2022) and to the Crown Dependencies of the Bailiwick of Jersey (2022), the Isle of Man (2023), and Guernsey (2023). We welcome interest from other OTs on the extension of the Paris Agreement.
We engage regularly with CDOTs at official and ministerial level on climate-related matters, including through the UK–Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 19 September 2024 (HL783), what progress they have made towards (1) identifying and marking the graves of Egyptians who died serving the UK during the First World War, including in the Egyptian Labour Corps, and (2) recovering the records of all Egyptians who served with UK forces.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Further to the information provided to the noble Lady in February 2022, January 2023 and September 2024, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has made notable progress in identifying 23 Egyptian Labour Corps and Camel Transport Corps personnel at Haifa War Cemetery. These men, whose graves cannot be individually identified amongst almost 90 of their unknown comrades, will receive special markers within the cemetery for the first time since the First World War. While ongoing instability in the region limits what can be achieved on the ground in the short term, preparations have been made to produce the headstones in readiness for more favourable conditions.
The CWGC continues to work to recover the names of the 16,500 other Egyptian personnel known to have died across the Middle East in British service during the First World War. These men have only ever been commemorated collectively by the Commission’s Giza Memorial. The records sought, if they survive, are believed to be in the possession of the Egyptian state archives or one or more departments of the Government of Egypt. CWGC continues to raise this matter with the Egyptian authorities but is yet to gain access to the information it requires.
The Commission's wider historical research in archives across Africa and Europe continues to make positive progress in revealing the names of those previously not commemorated, and in mapping potential burial sites. To date, more than 20,600 names have been recovered, and CWGC is actively working to commemorate these individuals in a manner befitting their service and loss.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of providing free GCSE and A-level examinations for home-schooled pupils; and what assessment they have made of the potential benefits of such provision.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The government provides funding to state schools and colleges which covers examination entries for students who are on roll. When a parent chooses to educate their child outside of the school system, for any reason, they take on full responsibility for their child’s education, including all associated costs, such as examination fees. For this reason, the department has not made an estimate of the cost of providing free GCSE and A level examinations for home-educated pupils or an assessment of the potential benefits of such provision.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce a new requirement for local authorities to provide information on accessing GCSE examinations to home-educating families in their areas who are registered with them and who request it. We will provide additional funding to support local authorities to fulfil their new duties.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review whether the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should be applied to all activities of the City of London Corporation, including those conducted through its private funds and non-municipal functions.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) sponsors the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the statutory regulator for Freedom of Information (FOI), however DSIT is not responsible for government policy and legislation regarding the FOI Act 2000.
The Government is committed to FOI and continues to monitor the performance and implementation of the FOI Act to ensure it is operating as intended by Parliament. Any changes to FOI legislation would be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the provision of public transport for foot passengers to ferry terminals, such as those at Liverpool Birkenhead and Belfast; and what consideration they have given to requiring companies providing such transport services to ensure that they operate at appropriate times and frequencies.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
“Better Connected: a strategy for integrated transport” sets out this government's vision for a transport network that works well for people so they can make the journeys they need to easily. It supports the creation of unified and integrated transport systems at the national and local level, including by improving integration between modes and empowering local leaders to make decisions that are right for their areas.
In terms of connections between ferry terminals and rail services, we would expect Local Transport Authorities to identify any gaps and discuss potential solutions with the appropriate train operator.
The Government knows the importance of reliable bus services in enabling people to stay connected and access vital services, as well as for allowing people to reach other modes of travel, including ferry terminals. We are committed to delivering better bus services and the Bus Services Act 2025 puts passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of local bus services by putting the power back in the hands of local leaders right across England.
Transport is devolved so the provision of public transport to ferry ports in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be for the devolved administrations to consider.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given in the light of the current geopolitical situation to establishing food stores to be available to feed the population in event of commercial food supplies being unavailable.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is monitoring risks posed by Middle East tensions to the UK’s critical supply chains. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and in response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Defra works closely with the Cabinet Office and other departments to ensure food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors. At present, there are no significant impacts to the supply of food to consumers from the Middle East conflict.
The UK does not have national food stockpiles or plans to create these. The UK has a food supply chain that is well equipped to deal with any potential disruption. The UK’s food security is built on supply from diverse sources including strong domestic production and imports through stable trade routes.