Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to include fibre ducting along the route of HS2 (Phase One) line to ensure uninterrupted digital connectivity for passengers.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
HS2 (Phase One) is planning to provide uninterrupted digital connectivity for its passengers. The methodology of delivering this service to the train is currently in design phase and is yet to be decided, however the service will make use of a trackside optical fibre network to be installed along the HS2 line of route.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 23 May (HL7911), what discussions they have had with contractors about the need to ensure that fencing along the HS2 Phase One line is (1) stock proof to enable agricultural use to continue along the line post-opening, and (2) of sufficient quality to prevent domestic animals and wildlife from accessing the line.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
HS2 Ltd has been working with the main works civil contractors to develop Phase One scheme designs which will continue until the end of 2018 when it expects to agree construction plans for the new high-speed railway and ancillary works such as fencing.
HS2 Ltd’s technical standard for fencing requires that temporary and permanent fencing shall be stock-proofed where appropriate, and this shall take account of the anticipated livestock loading on the fencing and its foundations.
The security fencing around the entire railway, designed to prevent unauthorised access, will also act as a barrier for domestic animals and many species of wildlife.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which contractors are going to install and maintain the railway security and boundary fences along the HS2 Phase One line.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The fencing during the construction period of HS2 Phase One will be installed by the Main Works Civils Contractors, SCS JV, Align JV, EK JV and BBV JV. They will be responsible for the installation and maintenance throughout the programmed works. The long term maintenance post opening will be carried out by the Infrastructure Manager.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have finalised plans and construction specifications for the earthworks and fencing associated with the construction of the HS2 Phase One line.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
HS2 Ltd has been working with main work civil contractors to develop scheme designs and the construction programme for the line of route works on Phase One. Scheme Design will continue until the end of 2018 when HS2 Ltd expects to agree construction plans and programmes with the main works contractors, with a view to commencing construction works in 2019. Enabling works will continue throughout 2018.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the potential disruption to wildlife caused by the construction of the HS2 Phase One line.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
HS2 has been designed with a view to avoiding or reducing impacts on habitats and species. Where avoidance is not possible, mitigation and compensation to address effects on legally protected wildlife includes relocating species and providing replacement habitat.
For example, underpasses and green bridges will provide safe crossing points for bats and other wildlife. Compensation for great crested newts will include replacement ponds, habitat and hibernation features. Many of the first works now underway for the railway involve the creation of such replacement habitats for wildlife.
Measures such as these will contribute to HS2’s overall aim of achieving “no net loss” in biodiversity as a consequence of building the railway.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific research they have commissioned into the use of electronic collars in containment systems for (1) cats, and (2) dogs.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government has not commissioned any specific research into the use of electronic training collars for containment systems. However, Defra did fund research into the use of remote controlled electronic training collars. We are carefully considering all the responses and evidence received during the consultation and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people in England who use electronic collars for cats and dogs in containment systems.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
A public consultation on whether to ban the use of electronic training collars for dogs and cats closed on 27 April. We are now analysing the responses with a view to updating the impact assessment document which will be published in due course.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of banning the use of electronic collars for cats and dogs in England.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
A public consultation on whether to ban the use of electronic training collars for dogs and cats closed on 27 April. We are now analysing the responses with a view to updating the impact assessment document which will be published in due course.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the House of Lords' catering service will increase the amount of game meat on offer during Great British Game Week.
Answered by Lord Laming
The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.
The House of Lords Catering and Retail Services (CRS) did not increase the amount of game meat on offer during Great British Game Week (20-26 November 2017). While CRS often looks to tie in with such promotions, it did not do so on this occasion; this opportunity will be considered for next year.
Asked by: Lord Mancroft (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to promote British game meat.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
We recognise game is an important part of our food heritage. It is a big draw on menus across the UK and is prepared by many of our top chefs and served in many establishments countrywide. Exports of game meat were worth £9 million in 2016. We are raising the profile and reputation of British food and drink overseas through the Food is GREAT campaign, being delivered in partnership with Department for International Trade and VisitBritain.