Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of a connection between poaching and halal butchery.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has made no assessment of a connection between poaching and halal butchery.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government from which rural organisations they received submissions in response to the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act call for evidence.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
On 18 May 2023, the Home Office launched an eight-week Call for Evidence, targeted at those who may be affected by the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, including manufacturers, dealers, retailers, forensic marking companies, trade associations, tradespeople, law enforcement practitioners and rural organisations.
We made use of a number of different means to encourage as many people as possible to make their views known. The total number of responses received was 218. There was no obligation on respondents to disclose if they were responding on behalf of an organisation, but we do know that the National Farmers’ Union submitted its views.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of rural policing, and what rural lobbying groups they have discussed rural policing with.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises that there can be challenges in responding to rural crime. That is why we collaborated with the National Police Chiefs’ Councils to deliver the renewal of their Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, which was published in November. The strategy, lasting until 2028, will ensure efforts to reduce crime benefit every community no matter where they are, including rural communities.
Furthermore, the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve, and clearly demonstrate to the public that the police are dealing with local concerns. Every neighbourhood, including in rural areas, now has named and contactable officers, supporting more visible policing and greater public confidence.
I have met with Police and Crime Commissioners at their rural conference to discuss rural policing.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to (1) the government of Pakistan and (2) other international partners including Commonwealth representatives, about the jail conditions of Imran Khan, and what assessment they have made of reports that he has been denied visits or phone calls.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by the Minister for the Middle East on 17 September to Question 73142, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:
While judicial matters are for Pakistan's courts, the UK has consistently emphasised to its counterparts in Pakistan the need for due process, fair trials, and humane treatment for all, including Mr Imran Khan.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with Ofcom regarding the editing of President Trump's speech in the Panorama programme Trump: A Second Chance?.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Senior Officials have regular contact with Ofcom leadership, on a variety of matters - the independence of the regulator is nevertheless vital and discussions always respect this distinction. Maintaining the BBC’s editorial standards is also very important, as is the need for the BBC to be accountable.
We support a strong independent BBC. In an age of disinformation, the argument for a robust impartial British news service is stronger than ever. It is important that trust is maintained and that errors are corrected quickly. Tim Davie and Deborah Turness have subsequently both taken responsibility for the mistakes they admit the BBC has made.
As the BBC is independent of Government, it is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the BBC, to ensure that the BBC fulfils its obligations to audiences as outlined in the Charter and the Broadcasting Code.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to hold regular meetings of the Cabinet in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Cabinet routinely takes place in No10 Downing Street as has been the case under successive governments. There are currently no plans for Cabinet to take place across the UK, but that is kept under review.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the Barnett formula.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Barnett formula is a key part of the arrangements for pooling and sharing risks and resources across the UK. It is simple, efficient and provides a clear and certain outcome, which is why it has stood the test of time.
There are currently no plans to modify the operation of the Barnett formula.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to change the existing legislation on the filling of jerry cans of diesel or petrol at filling stations.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are no plans to update the existing legislation (The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014) as it already addresses what can be filled at petrol filling stations. HSE has published guidance on the types of container that can be filled in a petrol filling station on their website.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage the greater use of regional airports across the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. Regional airports invest in their infrastructure to attract passengers and airlines, while airlines are well placed to deliver services to their customers by responding to demand for different routes.
The Government continues to support vital connectivity to the regions through public service obligation routes whilst an expanded Heathrow could provide an opportunity to strengthen regional connectivity to the UK’s hub airport.
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the report Clean Power 2030 Annex 2: Networks, connections and network access analysis, published by the National Energy System Operator on 5 November 2024, whether they plan to build an additional 600 miles of overhead cabling and pylons; and if so, whether they will publish a map detailing where those will be built.
Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for the strategic planning and design of the GB electricity system. NESO’s November 2024 advice on the upgrades and new projects required on the GB high voltage network to deliver clean power 2030 was reflected in the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. A map showing these projects and some required beyond 2030 is available online at https://www.neso.energy/publications/beyond-2030/web-map