Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to purchasing prison space in US Federal or State prisons to house UK prisoners to free up prison space.
Answered by Lord Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they intend to consult on their longstanding commitment regarding single-sex hospital accommodation in their NHS Constitution 10-year review.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is not consulting on the longstanding policy of single-sex hospital accommodation, as part of the NHS Constitution consultation. We are consulting on an update to the existing pledge on sleeping accommodation in hospitals, to reflect the legal position on the provision of same-sex services on which transgender patients can be offered separate accommodation, as a proportionate means to a legitimate aim. We are consulting on this in recognition of the concerns that patients may have about sharing hospital accommodation with patients of the opposite sex.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 16 May (HL4380), for what reason they do not have an inventory of pathways and roads that Network Rail have constructed next to railway lines; and what is the cost of the pathway being constructed south of Crewe Station.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Network Rail has identified that it has an incomplete record of pathway assets, that is why it is undertaking a national project to address this.
The pathway south of Crewe Station has an anticipated cost of c.£600k.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to expediting the application by Virgin Trains to run a service on the West Coast Main Line; and when they intend to announce their decision.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We note with interest the reports in the media about the application from Virgin Trains, and welcome open access applications where they provide improved connectivity and choice for passengers and do not disproportionately impact taxpayers. Access to the rail network, however, is ultimately a decision for the Office of Rail and Road in its role as independent regulator for the rail industry. The Department therefore awaits further engagement from the ORR and Network Rail on Virgin’s proposals and will provide its views as part of the relevant industry consultation, as is standard process for all open access applications.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 16 May (HL4323), why it will take until 2029 to replace the roof at Crewe Station.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Network Rail are responsible for the scheduling of renewals and maintenance works and how to prioritise this funding across the region over the Control Period. Network Rail will need Listed Building Consent to carry out the works and will prepare a phased strategy which aligns the roof replacement with track renewals in order to minimise the customer impact.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ban the sale of e-bikes which are capable of being converted to speeds exceeding 15.5 miles per hour, and the associated batteries.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It is potentially possible to convert the vast majority of pedal cycles into e-bikes capable of exceeding 15.5mile per hour.
Batteries can be used for a wide range of purposes and it would not be practically possible to differentiate those used in e-bikes from those used for other uses.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce legislation so that cyclists can be charged for causing death by dangerous or reckless riding if they cause a death while riding an e-bike which has exceeded 15.5 miles per hour.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
E-bikes that do not comply with the Electrically Pedal Assisted Cycles regulations, which includes a requirement for power assist to cut off at 15.5 miles per hour, are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles. As such, someone causing death by recklessly riding one would already be subject to a charge of death by dangerous driving.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that the City of London Police have seized 140 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters, whether they plan to direct or encourage all police forces to confiscate e-bikes which have been configured to exceed the 15.5 miles per hour limit.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Decisions on e-bike seizure is an operational matter for Chief Officers who will decide how to deploy available resources, taking into account any specific local problems and demands.
The Government will continue to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation, including those relating to offences involving e-scooters.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many disabled people have been injured by electric bikes being used or left on the pavement, in each of the past five years for which figures are available.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The information requested is not held by the Department.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take, if any, to assist migrants newly arrived from France to move to the Republic of Ireland.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We will not be taking any steps to help migrants arriving from France move to the Republic of Ireland. However, we are clear that the Rwanda policy is an important part of the deterrent, breaking the model of the people smuggling gangs.