Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Earl Howe on 22 October (HL Deb, col 651), when DEFRA began its full assessment of the scale and volume of sea-based and non-seaboard patrol and surveillance capability required afer Brexit; and when they anticipate this work being completed.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
A full scale assessment of the risk and threats to English Waters resulting from EU Exit started in summer 2017. This initial work was necessary to inform future options for the scale and volume of both at sea and shore side patrol and surveillance capability.
We continue to assess a number of different options to increase control and surveillance activity in our waters depending on various scenarios. It is therefore not possible to commit to a date of completion at this stage. However, some work is already underway and the Marine Management Organisation are currently undertaking a range of activities, including recruitment, to deliver the increased capability in readiness for leaving the EU.
Control and enforcement activities, including patrol and surveillance capability, is a devolved matter. As such, it will continue to be for each Devolved Administration to decide how best to control its waters, and what new arrangements may be needed, when the UK leaves the EU.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prohibition of visitors bringing their folding bikes into the DEFRA office at 2 Marsham Street in London; and whether that prohibition is compatible with the aims of that Department’s environmental policies.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Defra is a tenant at 2 Marsham Street, with the Home Office (Defra’s Landlord) occupying the majority of the site. Defra follows the security protocols set by the Home Office.
For folding bikes the following protocols apply across the whole building:
Full building pass holders can bring folding bikes into the office but most enter via the car park and leave bikes at the bike racks.
VIPs are permitted to enter the office space with a folding bike.
Pre-booked visitors are requested to take their bike to the car park entrance where it can be left in a secure sheltered area (visitor bike racks are provided).
Unannounced visitors are required to contact their host/sponsor to vouch for them and book them in on arrival so that they can leave their bike at the car park entrance.
Folding bikes cannot be processed through the security scanners at the Marsham Street reception.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of (1) possible conflicts of interest in the appointment of auditors, and (2) inappropriate payments to senior executives, at Thames Water; and whether they will ask OFWAT to launch an investigation.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government has not made an assessment of conflicts of interest in the appointment of auditors or the level of pay to senior executives at Thames Water.
The Government fully supports Ofwat’s reforms to the price review process which requires water companies to ensure that executive pay is linked to customer service, share profits with customers, and make dividend payments more transparent.