Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Sugg on 22 November 2018 (HLWS1070), why cycling and walking are not included as crucial parts of rural planning.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, published in February 2019, contains guidance for planning authorities on matters including promoting cycling and walking. The guidance applies equally to rural and urban areas. It states that planning policies should provide for high quality walking and cycling networks, drawing on Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). The Department for Transport is currently supporting 46 local authorities to develop their LCWIPs. These include both urban and rural local authorities.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 22 November 2018 (HL11417), whether SMETS compliant electricity meters are capable of producing a statement of solar panel units used as a percentage of total usage.
Answered by Lord Henley
In order to produce a statement of solar panel electricity units used in a premises as a percentage of total usage, a premises would require multiple meters: a meter to record the amount of electricity generated by on-site renewables; and at least one meter to record the amount of electricity exported from the premises to the grid and the amount of electricity imported from the grid to the premises.
Most traditional meters are not able to measure the amount of electricity being exported so it would be necessary to have at least three separate meters to produce the required statement.
In contrast, all SMETS compliant electricity meters are capable of recording any electricity that is exported to the grid from on-site renewable generation sources, such as solar panels, net of the electricity from on-site renewables which is used within the premises. By combining two SMETS compliant meters in one premises – one operating as a generation meter for the on-site renewables and one to measure the import and export of electricity to and from the grid – it would be possible to produce the required statement. In each case, the smart meters would also be capable of recording generation and consumption on a half-hourly basis and the data would be available remotely.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 4 January (HL12419), whether a builder must ensure the fitting of smart meters in new build homes; if not, who is responsible; and whether such fittings are installed under the aegis of a particular energy supplier.
Answered by Lord Henley
All meter points in new build homes must have a registered energy supplier. The builder can appoint a supplier of their choice but it is the supplier who has responsibility for the installation of meters in a property.
A number of energy suppliers are already installing smart gas and electricity meters in new build properties. The Government recently consulted on a proposal to activate the New and Replacement Obligation (NRO) in energy suppliers’ licences. The NRO would require suppliers to take all reasonable steps to install a compliant smart meter where a meter is fitted for the first time including in new build properties. We expect to make a decision to activate the NRO in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the rate charged at night for a unit of electricity has increased compared to that charged for a day unit; and if so, why.
Answered by Lord Henley
The rate charged for and the difference between day and night units is a commercial decision for individual companies to make as long as suppliers set their rates within the limits of the price caps.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether pulse fishing techniques are being used within the 6–12 mile zone of UK waters.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government recently announced that EU vessels will no longer be able to carry out electric pulse beam trawl fishing in UK waters after we leave the EU. At EU level, a recent provisional political agreement awaits adoption which will include a phase out period for pulse trawl, culminating in a ban from 1 July 2021.
The Dutch are considering the implications of the EU agreement for their fleet, but it is anticipated upon adoption and coming into force this will mean a drop from around 84 vessels they have authorised to use pulse methods, to an estimated 12 vessels operating with pulse during the phase out period, in line with the 5% of their beam trawl fleet that was originally agreed by Council. There are currently six UK authorisations in place, with three (two English and one Scottish) that actually use pulse fishing, and Defra is working with Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland to review these licenses with a view to withdrawal.
Meanwhile, under the current EU rules, there is a prohibition on beam trawling within the UK 12 mile zone for vessels with engine power of over 220kW, which includes relevant pulse-equipped beam trawl vessels. This applies to other EU Member State and UK beam trawl vessels in that gear category. In addition, under Common Fisheries Policy rules, the Netherlands, the primary exponent of pulse beam trawling, does not have access to use any beam trawl gear within our UK 6-12 mile zone. There are no reports of incursions within our 12 mile zone by Dutch pulse trawl vessels operating in the southern North Sea derogation area.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Sugg on 22 November 2018 (HLWS1070), whether rural authorities (1) were invited to respond to, and (2) responded to the Cycling and Walking Investment Scheme: Safety Review Call for Evidence.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
Of the 200 organisations that responded to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Safety Review Call for Evidence approximately 40 were from Local Authorities, or local authority affiliated bodies. This included responses from cities, shire counties, district and borough councils and Parish councils. Four responses were from “rural” or “predominantly rural” authorities, and six from authorities that are “urban but with significant rural” areas.
The Call for Evidence was widely communicated through local transport press, national press, and via relevant national organisations, including those representing local authorities and rural communities. In addition, Transport Minister Jesse Norman wrote to MPs and to Ministers of the Scottish and Welsh governments. Local authorities of all types were invited to respond.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they allow individuals to leave their premium bonds to beneficiaries in their wills; and if not, why not.
Answered by Lord Bates
The regulations and legislation that govern NS&I determine that Premium Bonds holdings cannot be transferred to a new individual, or inherited. This is to ensure that individuals cannot hold more than one Premium Bond account and prevents individuals from holding more than the maximum Premium Bond investment, currently £50,000.
Upon the death of a person, any Premium Bond holdings are repaid to the Executor. Beneficiaries can, of course, choose to invest in Premium Bonds, up to the maximum limit. To allow time for the Estate to be settled correctly, Premium Bonds that have not yet been returned to the Executor remain eligible for the prize draw for up to 12 months following the owner’s date of death.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include all sizes of plastic bottles in their proposed deposit return scheme.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government has confirmed that it will introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England, subject to consultation, aimed at boosting recycling rates and reducing littering.
We are consulting on two options for a DRS relating to size of containers: an ‘all-in’ DRS which would include containers of any size, and an ‘on-the-go’ DRS that would include containers smaller than 750ml. The scope of a DRS, including the size of drinks containers included in such a scheme, will be dependent on the results of the consultation.
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many successful prosecutions there have been for fly-tipping in each of the last ten years; how many of those prosecutions were a result of fly-tipping on privately-owned land; and in each case, what was the fine imposed.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Defra collects data on the number of fly-tipping incidents and actions taken which is provided by local authorities in England. These data are published annually and may include some private land incidents that are voluntarily reported (although it is not mandatory to do so). Defra does not hold data relating solely to fly-tipping incidents on private land. The tables below show the data held regarding prosecutions and fines for fly-tipping in the last ten years. Details of fine levels for individual cases are not held.
Local authority prosecutions for fly-tipping in England
Year | Successful prosecutions | Custodial sentences | Fines | Community service |
2008/09 | 1,944 | 16 | 1,497 | 60 |
2009/10 | 2,374 | 34 | 1,859 | 45 |
2010/11 | 2,311 | 7 | 2,023 | 35 |
2011/12 | 2,786 | 4 | 2,487 | 39 |
2012/13 | 2,144 | 18 | 1,839 | 16 |
2013/14 | 1,953 | 10 | 1,685 | 19 |
2014/15 | 1,771 | 21 | 1,492 | 35 |
2015/16 | 2,091 | 18 | 1,838 | 32 |
2016/17 | 1,546 | 28 | 1,318 | 26 |
2017/18 | 2,186 | 25 | 1,938 | 45 |
Level of fines for fly-tipping offences in England resulting from the above prosecutions
Year | £0 to £50 | £51 to £200 | £201 to £500 | £501 to £1,000 | £1,001 to £5,000 | £5,001 to £20,000 | £20,001 to £50,000 | over £50,000 |
2008/09 | 185 | 722 | 407 | 114 | 67 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2009/10 | 274 | 947 | 452 | 110 | 70 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
2010/11 | 172 | 1104 | 454 | 245 | 50 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
2011/12 | 417 | 1191 | 565 | 239 | 70 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
2012/13 | 162 | 856 | 547 | 201 | 61 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
2013/14 | 134 | 1,028 | 308 | 150 | 62 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2014/15 | 116 | 804 | 311 | 194 | 58 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
2015/16 | 113 | 817 | 560 | 271 | 72 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
2016/17 | 96 | 1,233 | 564 | 151 | 93 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
2017/18 | 83 | 667 | 876 | 173 | 123 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
The Environment Agency investigates and prosecutes larger and more serious cases of illegal dumping. Data distinguishing between types of waste crime incidents have been available since 2015. Data for privately-owned land are not shown separately. The table below shows the total successful prosecutions by the Environment Agency for illegal dumping incidents only.
Environment Agency prosecutions for illegal dumping in England
Year | Action Date | Sentence | Total Fine |
2015 | 26/03/2015 | Fined | £660 |
06/10/2015 | Community Service | £200 | |
06/10/2015 | Community Service | £200 | |
2016 | 11/03/2016 | Fined | £1,000 |
2017 | 09/06/2017 | Suspended Sentence | £50,000 |
09/06/2017 | Fined | £50,000 | |
18/09/2017 | Fined | £660 | |
03/03/2017 | Fined | £6,000 | |
18/09/2017 | Community Service | £0 | |
19/09/2017 | Fined | £900 | |
09/06/2017 | Fined | £20,000 | |
2018 | 04/10/2018 | Fined | £562 |
24/04/2018 | Community Order - Curfew | £0 | |
10/04/2018 | Community Service | £0 | |
16/10/2018 | Community Service | £0 | |
10/04/2018 | Community Service | £0 | |
31/05/2018 | Fined | £5,000 | |
05/10/2018 | Community Service | £0 |
Asked by: Baroness Byford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many non-native invasive species outbreaks have been identified in each year since 2014; what steps have been taken to eradicate such species; and at what cost.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Invasive non-native species outbreaks since 2014 include several incursions of Asian hornet, as well as raccoon, coati, quagga mussel, various leafed water milfoil, acrobat ant, marbled newt, American comb jelly, Asian super ant, American lobster, argentine ant, gulf wedge clam and pacific salmon.
Swift and effective action has been taken to remove populations of Asian hornet, American lobster, raccoon and coati, with ongoing action against the various-leaved water milfoil. In some cases it has not been feasible to eradicate species and so biosecurity measures to contain or reduce spread are being developed.
Biosecurity and control of invasive non-native species are devolved matters. In England in 2016/17 the Government spent an estimated total of £922,000 on biosecurity measures relating to invasive non-native species.
I will write to the Noble Baroness with further information regarding the costs from 2014- 2018.