Countess of Mar

Crossbench - Former Member for Excepted Hereditary

Became Member: 11th September 1975


Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lords)
12th Jun 2014 - 1st May 2020
Deputy Speaker (Lords)
29th Nov 2010 - 1st May 2020
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Committee
29th Jun 2017 - 13th Mar 2018
Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee
16th May 2013 - 12th May 2016
Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lords)
2nd Jun 2010 - 9th May 2012
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
15th Jan 2007 - 8th Apr 2010
Refreshment Committee (Lords)
7th Jun 2005 - 12th Nov 2009
House of Lords Offices Committee
18th Nov 1982 - 6th Nov 1986


Division Voting information

Countess of Mar has voted in 456 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Earl Howe (Conservative)
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
(45 debate interactions)
Lord Freud (Conservative)
(37 debate interactions)
Earl Attlee (Conservative)
(29 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(53 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(42 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(37 debate contributions)
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Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Countess of Mar, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Countess of Mar has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Countess of Mar has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

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Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
6 Other Department Questions
19th Nov 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of artificial sweeteners imported into the United Kingdom in 2013.

According to HMRC, UK import figures for ‘artificial sweeteners’ are contained within HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics database code HS 21069092 (‘food preparations’, see full definition below). This captures a range of food preparations; it is not possible to split the data to show the amount (value or volume) of UK imports of artificial sweeteners in 2013 separately. The HMRC data shows that the UK imported £326.8 million (76,388,773 kilograms) worth of ‘food preparations’ in 2013.

Note: definition of HS 21069092

HS 21069092 - Food preparations, n.e.s., not containing milkfats, sucrose, isoglucose starch or glucose or containing, by weight, < 1,5% milkfat, < 5% sucrose or isoglucose, < 5% glucose or < 5% starch

16th Jul 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many kilograms of aspartame were imported into the United Kingdom in each year from 2000 to 2013 inclusive.

Data showing the volume (kilograms) of UK imports of aspartame during 2000-2013 is given in Table 1 below. The figures are sourced from HMRC’s Overseas Trade Statistics database.

Table 1: UK imports of aspartame (HS code 21069092)

YearNet mass (kgs)
201376,393,895
201285,600,024
201163,298,987
201054,483,436
200951,466,542
200858,734,046
200750,538,317
200659,274,993
200556,112,033
200463,320,625
200361,259,916
200243,939,777
200140,554,490
200029,438,869
Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics database
Note: HS 21069092 = Food preparations, n.e.s., not containing milkfats,
sucrose, isoglucose starch or glucose or containing, by weight, < 1,5% milkfat,
< 5% sucrose or isoglucose, < 5% glucose or < 5% starch" only.
24th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government what quality control and audit procedures are in place to ensure that their advisory committees perform to the highest standards, that they are using up-to-date methodology and science, and that their advice is sound and accepted by the broader scientific community.

All committees operate according to the guidelines and standards outlined in the Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]). Any advisory committee that is classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) is also subject to formal Cabinet Office procedures including a full triennial review.

CoPSAC is underpinned by The Principles of Scientific Advice to Government', published in 2010 (Annex A to CoPSAC), and the ‘Nolan' principles for public life (the “Seven Principles of Public Life” (Annex C).

The principles “provide a foundation on which independent scientific advisers and government departments should base their operations and interactions”. Members are also expected to abide by the Nolan Principles, which include the principles of objectivity and accountability.

Any “issues of concern over the application of the Principles, or other guidance” should be raised to the Chief Scientific Adviser. “If the matter of concern cannot be effectively resolved or is especially serious CSAs should approach the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Ministers should approach the GCSA and the Minister for Science. The matter will be examined against a clear set of criteria, which include a breach of the Principles or CoPSAC.”


[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government how scientists are appointed to their advisory committees; how they ensure that an appropriate range of expertise and experience is represented on those committees; and how they ensure that the best scientists apply for membership of the committees.

The Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]) lays out the procedures for appointment to Committees.

CoPSAC indicates that the arrangements for the appointment of Committee members and the lines of accountability should be set out in each Committee's Terms of Reference.


[1]https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recourse is available to members of the public who wish to complain about the practice and outcome of scientific inquiries conducted by government advisory committees.

Members of the public may write to the Chair of the advisory committee. If necessary, complaints can be escalated in writing to the Chief Scientific Advisor for the department in question, or the Government Chief Scientific Adviser.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Jun 2017
Her Majesty's Government how many cases of (1) Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, and (2) fabricated or induced illness, have been prosecuted against parents of children diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome in each year since 2010 for which figures are available; how many of those cases were successful; how many were withdrawn; and how many resulted in an acquittal.

Munchausen's syndrome by proxy and fabricated or induced illness are not of themselves criminal offences so cannot be prosecuted as such. They may, however, be of relevance to criminal offences which can be prosecuted.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of prosecutions where Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy or fabricated or induced illnesses may have been relevant. Such information could only be obtained through a manual search of records which would incur disproportionate cost.

1st May 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the incidence rates of cervical cancer among (1) 18–49 year old women, and (2) women over the age of 50, in England for each year since 2011.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Letter from John Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to The Countess of Mar, dated 3 May 2018.

Dear Lady Mar,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying to your Parliamentary Question asking what were the incidence rates of cervical cancer among (1) 18-49 year old women, and (2) women over the age of 50, in England for each year since 2011 (HL7466).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS), in collaboration with Public Health England, publishes the number of cancer cases registered (incidence) in England in each calendar year, as part of its Cancer Statistics Registrations, England (Series MB1) release. The latest available cancer incidence data published by ONS are provisional figures for 2016[1]. The provisional 2016 release does not contain a refreshed back series of cancer incidence, which would consider the continual accrual of late registrations. Therefore, the historic figures (from 2011 to 2015) below are based on the 2015 National Statistics release[2].

Cervical cancer is defined using International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10) code C53 (malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri). Table 1 overleaf provides the number and rate of women diagnosed cases of cervical cancer, (ICD-10: C53) by age group, in England from 2011 to 2016.

While ONS does not hold cancer incidence data for Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, similar figures are published by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry[3], the Scottish Cancer Registry[4] and the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit[5], respectively.

Yours sincerely,

John Pullinger

Age group

Year of Registration

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016p

18-49

Count

1,576

1,555

1,642

1,655

1,609

1,590

50+

Count

979

989

1,037

950

906

1,003

18-49

Rate

13.4

13.3

14.0

14.2

13.8

13.6

50+

Rate

10.1

10.0

10.4

9.3

8.7

9.5

Notes:

1. Cervical cancer is defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) as C53.

p Provisional figures.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Table 1: Incidence counts and rates per 100,000 women of cervical cancer by age group, England, 2011 to 20161

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/2016

[2]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/2015

[3] http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/

[4] http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/

[5] http://www.wcisu.wales.nhs.uk/home

16th Jul 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many deaths in the United Kingdom were attributed to Alzheimer’s disease in 1970, 1982 and 2013.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
22nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was (1) the basis, and (2) the supporting evidence, for the proposal contained in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s 2016 consultation on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations to continue to include children’s mattresses in the scope of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, in the light of the EU ban on the use of brominated and organophosphate chemicals in children’s mattresses.

The Government has been reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The 2016 consultation on updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations sought views on proposals for clarifying and amending the scope of the regulations. The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation in due course.

Chemicals, including brominated and organophosphate flame retardants used in UK furniture, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). REACH aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.

22nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 May (HL15638), what steps they are taking to clarify which of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 or the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 should take precedence in circumstances where either might apply, such as in (1) domestic and communal spaces in care homes, or (2) an office room based in a domestic dwelling.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 apply to upholstered furniture which is ordinarily intended for private use in a dwelling.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) is primarily for businesses and other non-domestic premises including communal areas of multi-occupied residential premises – where the communal areas are effectively workplaces and not primarily domestic premises. For care homes where the main use is the provision of residential care, the FSO applies to the entire premises as they are a workplace. It does not apply to people’s private homes.

22nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 May (HL15637), how much of the allocation for 2018–19 has been spent on product compliance testing; how many tests were conducted; and what were the results.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards allocated £500k in 2018/19 for local authority trading standards to fund the testing of products that were manufactured or imported into their local authority area.

Test reports are currently being collated and the data analysed to establish the total numbers of samples tested, the product safety legislation that has been tested to and the level of non-compliance. The results of this analysis are expected in the summer and will be published in due course.

22nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Office for Product Safety and Standards has spent on testing for compliance using the match test under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 since its formation; how many fabrics have failed the test; and how many have passed.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards allocated £500k in 2018/19 for local authority trading standards to fund the testing of products that were manufactured or imported into their local authority area.

Test reports are currently being collated and the data analysed to establish the total numbers of samples tested, the product safety legislation that has been tested to and the level of non-compliance. The results of this analysis are expected in the summer and will be published in due course.

22nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 22 May (HL15636), which scientific evidence from external sources including academic papers and studies they are taking into account; what are the dates of meetings that have taken place to discuss the progress of the review; and whether they have met (1) Professor Richard Hull of the University of Central Lancashire, or (2) Bob Birtles of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, in relation to the review.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.

The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation in due course. This will take into account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.

Ministers have not had meetings with Professor Richard Hull or Bob Birtles. Details of ministerial meetings with external bodies are published on the Gov.uk website.

21st May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 11 September 2018 (HL10265), whether the volumes of DecaBDE in existing upholstered furniture have been established; and what procedures are in place to safely dispose of such furniture.

The Government does not hold information on the volumes of DecaBDE in existing upholstered furniture. The Government is working with stakeholders and experts to assess the best routes for disposal of waste containing DecaBDE to protect the environment and human health.

9th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will respond to their 2016 consultation on updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.

This is a complex issue and it is absolutely vital that the Government gets this right: we are committed to reviewing these regulations to ensure that the highest levels of fire safety are maintained while minimising risks to health and the environment.

The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation in due course.

9th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Office for Product Safety and Standards has spent on product compliance testing under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 since its formation; and what were the results of such testing.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards has made available £500,000 in 2018 and £600,000 in 2019 for Local Authority Trading Standards to carry out product compliance testing at accredited laboratories. This testing includes compliance testing under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Local Authority Trading Standards take appropriate enforcement action as required in light of the results from this testing.

9th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding of the study Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than they reduce fire growth rate, published in the journal Chemosphere in December 2017; and what steps they are taking to ensure that UK furniture is safe.

As part of the Government’s review of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988, we are taking account of a wide range of scientific evidence from external sources including academic papers and studies.

We are committed to reviewing these regulations to ensure that the highest levels of fire safety are maintained while minimising risks to health and the environment.

9th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the differences between the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 work in different ways but both aim to provide protection from fire risks.

The Government’s review of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 aims to ensure they reflect changes in fire safety risks, and respond to developments in furniture design, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns while maintaining fire safety protections.

9th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of the use of decabromodiphenyl ethane in UK furniture; and what advice, if any, they have received from (1) the European Chemicals Agency, (2) the Health and Safety Executive, and (3) the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment on the risks of using decabromodiphenyl ethane.

The Government is currently reviewing the operation of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and is taking account of evidence and advice from external sources such as academic papers as well as the views of experts from across government, including Chief Scientific Advisors.

All furniture must also comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and be safe before it can be placed on the market.

DecaBDE is a persistent organic pollutant. The UK ceased production of this substance in 1996 and its use has declined sharply since then. Many other countries have also phased out its use. It was banned under the UN Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants in December 2018 and under the European chemical regulation regime, REACH, in March 2019. It will not be present in household soft furnishings and mattresses purchased after this ban comes into effect.

Chemicals, including brominated flame retardants used in UK furniture, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). REACH aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.

In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.

7th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government why highly flammable foams which form hydrogen cyanide when burnt are permitted to be used in furniture upholstery and building insulation.

We are committed to ensuring high levels of consumer safety. Furniture must comply with the 1988 Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations. These regulations are currently being reviewed.

Insulation materials used in buildings must comply with the 2010 Building Regulations. MHCLG published in December 2018 a call for evidence starting a technical review of the Building Regulations’ guidance with regards to fire safety (Approved Document B). The Department is currently reviewing the responses to this call for evidence.

7th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have collected on the effectiveness of provision of safety of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 that differs to that included in their document Technical Paper: Systematic Rationale for modification of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations in relation to Schedules 4 &amp; 5, published in October 2014; and if they have any such evidence, whether they will publish it.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.

The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.

The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation on the regulations in due course. This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.

7th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, further to the 2014 and 2016 consultations on Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations and the Technical Paper: Systematic Rationale for modification of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations in relation to Schedules 4 &amp; 5, published in October 2014, which outlined the problems with the match test, they will now revoke that test.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.

The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.

The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation on the regulations in due course. This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.

7th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have conducted life-cycle analyses to evaluate the benefits, risks, health and environmental effects of chemical flame retardants, alongside their fire safety impacts; and if so, (1) when, and (2) where such analyses have been published.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.

The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.

The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation on the regulations in due course. This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.

7th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to promote innovation and market uptake of flame-resistant chemical-free materials.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.

The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.

The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation on the regulations in due course. This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.

2nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of whether manufacturers not meeting the requirement to list the chemical constituents of flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings is a barrier to customers making informed decisions; and (2) whether by not meeting this requirement, the safe disposal or recycling of furniture which may contain banned chemicals is prevented.

The Government is reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 and has consulted on whether to introduce a specific requirement for furniture labels to stipulate any flame retardants used in their manufacture. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published in due course.

We are currently conducting behavioural insights research to develop a comprehensive understanding of consumer attitudes towards product safety including what assumptions consumers make about risk and safety.

2nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all flame retardants currently in use in furniture and furnishings are safe.

Flame retardant chemicals are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). To comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.

It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that any flame retardants they use are effective in meeting legal requirements for safety.

2nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of the University of Central Lancashire paper Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than reduce fire growth rate, published in December 2017; (2) whether they consulted the Government Chief Scientific Adviser in making any such assessment; and (3) whether they intend to review the efficacy of flame retardants which are currently on the market.

The Government is currently reviewing the operation of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)( Safety) Regulations 1988 and will take account of evidence from external sources such as academic papers as well as the views of experts from across government, including Chief Scientific Advisors.

It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that any flame retardants they use are effective in meeting legal requirements for safety.

2nd May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are provided in product safety legislation to ensure that flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings are safe for everyday use.

Chemicals, including flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). This aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.

In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.

All furniture must also comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and be safe before it can be placed on the market.

11th Sep 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote the development of materials and products that meet fire safety requirements without the use of chemical flame retardants.

The existing regulatory framework already allows for the use of materials and products that deliver consumer safety from fires, without using chemical flame retardants and the Government continues to welcome innovative approaches that deliver safe outcomes for consumers.

11th Sep 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the September 2016 consultation on necessary fire safety changes to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988; and what account they will take of the December 2017 Chemosphere article Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than they reduce fire growth rate.

The Department will publish its response to the consultation in due course.

This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.

11th Sep 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many meetings they have held or attended since the end of the consultation on the changes to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 in November 2016 to discuss possible proposals; with whom; on what dates, and what, if any, were the outcomes.

Details of ministerial meetings with external bodies are published on the Gov.uk website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings. A copy is also attached.

Officials meet regularly with stakeholders with an interest in product safety to hear their views on a range of product safety issues including the fire safety of furniture.

19th Jul 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they take to ensure that all flame retardants are safe (1) in normal use, (2) during fires, and (3) at the end of life when they are disposed of.

Manufacturers and distributors must ensure all consumer products are safe before they are placed on the UK market, including those that use flame retardants. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have lead responsibility for environmental policy and restrictions on chemicals.

19th Jul 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government why products labelled flame resistant do not contain details of the chemicals used in them.

All products must be safe before they can be placed on the UK market. While there is no legal requirement for products labelled flame resistant to contain details of chemicals used in them, manufacturers may voluntarily provide any further details that would be helpful to their consumers.

19th Jul 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government whom the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy consults for advice about the health and environmental effects of flame retardants; and whether that Department will make its final policy decisions about flame retardants available for scrutiny.

The Department works with experts across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services. We also consider the latest scientific research from academia. Any proposals for legislative change will be subject to public consultation.

19th Jul 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is taking to promote innovation and market uptake of flame-resistant chemical-free materials such as mixtures of wool and cotton.

The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.

19th Jul 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the study by the University of Central Lancashire, Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than they reduce fire growth rate, published in April; whether they have consulted with their Chief Scientist in forming that assessment; and whether, following that study, they intend to reconsider the efficacy of current flame retardants.

The Department welcomes the paper by University of Central Lancashire and it forms part of the evidence we are considering in reviewing the legislation regulating the safety of furniture.

24th Apr 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government when allowances for members of Scientific Advisory Committees were last reviewed; and what are the differential rates of allowances for every relevant department’s committees in the 2017–18 financial year.

Allowances for members of Science Advisory Committees are set by the government department that sponsors them. There has been no recent cross-government review of allowances. Information on differentials between allowances is not held by the Government Office for Science.

8th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of Professor Richard Hull, published in Chemosphere, that the application of flame retardants "makes furniture burn more quickly, reaching higher temperatures and producing vastly more toxic smoke" when tested in real life environments; and whether they intend to promote the use of flame retardant-free materials.

Public protection remains the Government’s priority and it is committed to improving both fire safety and environmental outcomes.

We are aware of the findings of Professor Hull’s paper and they are being considered alongside the evidence from the public consultation and the advice of an Advisory Panel, comprising leading fire safety experts and departmental Chief Scientific Advisors. The Government response to the consultation on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations will be published in due course.

19th Oct 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are taking action to encourage manufacturers of over-the-counter consumer goods such as soaps, toothpastes, and cosmetics to eliminate triclosan and triclocarbon from their products.

The use of tricolsan and triclocarbon is restricted by Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products. Manufacturers may only use these preservatives at specified levels and triclosan is only permitted at those levels in a limited range of cosmetic products. Both ingredients have been examined by the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety who considered them to be safe at these restricted levels and usages.

3rd Jul 2017
Her Majesty's Government why products are not required to carry labels which indicate exactly what flame retardant materials they contain, including those materials which were permitted at the time of production but have since been banned, in order to (1) enable people to avoid those products if they so wish, and (2) ensure that people are aware that it may not be possible to recycle or sell on those products.

Product safety legislation requires products to be safe when they are placed on the market. It does not specifically require products to be labelled with information about fire retardant material used in the products.

The Government is currently reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. One of the proposals under consideration is specific labelling to show the presence of fire retardant chemicals to help inform consumers and to aid consumer choice. A consultation on this issue was held in late 2016. The responses to the consultation will help to inform our decisions on this question and will be included in the Government response, to be issued in due course.

1st Mar 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 22 February (HL5402), whether, in the light of the fact that the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) represents more than 70 per cent of all furniture production in Europe, they will respond specifically to the EFIC on the points made in their letter of 10 November 2016.

The European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) requested that their letter dated 10th November be considered as part of their formal response to the 2016 consultation on the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Department is therefore considering the points raised by EFIC in the letter as part of the consultation analysis and will respond as part of the formal Government response, which I expect to be published in the spring.

9th Feb 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the European Furniture Industry Confederation's supplementary letter to its submission to the consultation on changes to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

The consultation on proposals to revise the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 took place between September and November last year. There were over 120 responses, including from the European Furniture Industry Confederation.

Revision of the regulations is complex, with a broad spectrum of views expressed by respondents from industry, fire services, charities and regulators. The responses are currently being analysed and the views expressed and the evidence presented is being considered and evaluated. Once this is completed, the Government will issue its response. We anticipate that this will be in the spring.

6th Nov 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Compliance Team reports to complainants or publishes details of its work in the case of further complaints following investigation and upholding by the ASA of the original complaint; and if not, why not.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK's regulator of advertising. This regulatory system is independent of government and seeks to ensure that all adverts, wherever they appear, are legal, decent, honest and truthful. All ASA adjudications are published however given their independence from government we are not able to comment on the ASA's internal processes.

11th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether teachers who become Designated Senior Leads for Mental Health to oversee the approach to mental health and wellbeing in schools will be trained to distinguish children with anxiety, depression or behavioural problems from children who have myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome) as a primary cause of their illness.

It will be for schools to decide what training is needed by Designated Senior Leads for mental health. They can choose to train leads in recognising and responding to specific health conditions, including anxiety, depression or myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome).

We would not expect leads to have specialist clinical knowledge or to make diagnoses. We expect that they will work closely with new Mental Health Support Teams and specialist NHS services to draw on expert advice and training on how to respond to different needs and ensure that timely referrals are made to NHS services if necessary.

The department will be supporting providers to develop training for leads through the Teaching and Leadership Innovation Fund. The department wants the training to focus on effective ways to set up and maintain a whole-school approach to mental health within which any conditions can be identified and specialist support provided most effectively.

11th Dec 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 6 December (HL3501), whether the Department for Education would normally expect to be made aware of any research concerning school attendance which involved the divulgence of names and addresses of school pupils by school attendance officers.

The department would not expect to be made aware of independent research with schools. We would, however, expect any research with schools to be carried out in accordance with ethical principles around anonymity and disclosure, which can be found in frameworks such as the ‘Ethical Assurance Guidance for Social Research in government’ which is attached.

22nd Nov 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether parental consent was obtained by school attendance officers before parents were sent letters by researchers for the study entitled Unidentified Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis is a major cause of school absence: surveillance outcomes from school-based clinics, published by the British Medical Journal in 2011.

The department has no direct knowledge of the study entitled Unidentified Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis is a major cause of school absence: surveillance outcomes from school-based clinics’, published by the British Medical Journal in 2011 or any activity undertaken by schools in connection with this study.

18th Oct 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the provision of, and access to, educational materials for girls whose education has been disrupted due to symptoms developed after human papilloma virus vaccination.

All children regardless of their circumstances are entitled to a good education and the necessary support to attain it.

Schools have a duty to ensure that arrangements are made to support pupils with medical needs to have full access to education. Where health needs mean a child of compulsory school age would not receive suitable education due to health needs, including because they cannot attend school, local councils have a duty to ensure that alternative education arrangements are put in place.

The education must be full time, or as close to full time as in the best interests of the child, because of their health needs, and it must be on par with what the child would have received if they were in a mainstream school.

3rd Nov 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the Children and Families Act 2014, a family with a child who has special educational needs may opt out of an Education and Health Care Plan; and, if so, by what mechanism.

Parents can make their own arrangements for their child’s education. These must be suitable for the child’s age, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.

Under the Children and Families Act 2014 where a local authority maintains an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan for a child or young person it is under a duty to secure the special educational provision specified in it unless parents have made suitable alternative arrangements.

Where a local authority is satisfied that the parents’ arrangements are suitable it must continue to review the child’s EHC plan annually and assure itself that the plan remains appropriate.