Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that anyone appointed to advise them about their policies can be scrutinised by Parliament.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the policies, decisions and actions of their departments and agencies, as set out in the Ministerial Code. As has long been the case, advisers advise but ministers decide and are accountable for those decisions.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what further plans they have to change regulations relating to COVID-19; and how any such plans have been influenced by the behaviour of any ministers or advisors who may have previously violated those regulations.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
We are at a stage of the epidemic where the number of infections has come down considerably from its peak and the virus is broadly under control in the majority of the UK. The Government keeps the situation under constant review and remains ready to take further action if required. We have made regulations in response to local outbreaks. We have also amended the border restrictions on various occasions in response to changes in the spread of the virus in other countries. As is always the case, decisions on health and other such measures are made on the basis of official advice, informed by expert scientific advisers.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to make certain that no future (1) election, or (2) referendum, in the UK will be subject to outside interference.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
The Security and Intelligence Agencies produce and contribute to regular assessments of the threat posed by Hostile State Activity. We keep such assessments under review and, where necessary, update them in response to new intelligence. It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections. In July 2019 we announced the Defending Democracy programme to bring together government, civil society and private sector organisations to ensure our democracy stays open, vibrant and transparent.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have made with the ports of Holyhead, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard to address any changes required following the end of the transition period of the UK's departure from the EU.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
I refer the noble Lord to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 July in the Other Place about the publication of a detailed Border Operating Model, which I repeated in this House on 15 July 2020. This will allow Welsh border industry and traders to prepare for the end of the transition period.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider their decision not to extend the Brexit transition period.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
None. At the second meeting of the WAJC on 12 June, the UK formally notified the EU that it will neither accept nor seek any extension to the Transition Period.
The deadline for extension has now passed.
The UK will regain its economic and political independence on 1 January 2021 at the end of the transition period and uphold a key demand of the British people.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review trading arrangements with the EU.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
Last week the UK completed its fourth round of negotiations. Negotiations covered the full range of issues and were mostly constructive and positive in tone, including on the most difficult issues such as fisheries, governance, and the so called “level playing field” where our differences are the most acute.
We believe it still would be straightforward to agree a suite of agreements with a Free Trade Agreement at the core, like those the EU has agreed with other close partners around the world, and that this could be done quickly.
A Written Ministerial Statement (HLWS267) was made on 8 June to update the House on the progress of negotiations.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to extend the transition period as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to PQ HL3150 on 28 April 2020.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Prime Minister's statement on 20 December 2019 (HC Deb, col 146) that "now is the moment, as we leave the European Union, to reunite the country", what steps they are taking in order to do so.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
I refer the noble Lord to the Prime Minister’s address to the nation given on Friday 31 January 2020.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the anticipated cost of any Government-sponsored celebrations about the UK's departure from the EU on 31 January.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The commemorations for this historic day included the release into circulation of a new 50p coin, and a light display at Downing Street, alongside a special address by the Prime Minister. Union Jack flags also lined Parliament Square and the Mall on 31 January and the public saw government buildings in Whitehall lit up throughout the evening. The costs of these events were drawn from existing budgets.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the regulations regarding the posting of ballots were last reviewed.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The Government keeps under review all electoral legislation, including the requirements relating to postal voting, to ensure it continues to support electors’ participation in elections and effective electoral administration. As part of this, we will consider any recommendations that the Electoral Commission may make about the current postal voting arrangements, for example, in its reports on elections and referendums.