Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Penn on 28 March (HL7077), whether they will describe the risks that they have assessed regarding their decision not to publish the Asset Purchase Facility deed indemnity; and which of these risks would “not advance the public’s understanding" of the arrangement by which HM Treasury indemnifies the Asset Purchase Facility.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The Asset Purchase Facility (APF) deed indemnity will not be published. The disclosure of the APF deed indemnity would be likely to expose sensitive information relating to the quantitative easing scheme and related processes.
HM Treasury indemnifies the APF which means that any losses or gains from the APF accrue to HM Treasury. This is public knowledge and the publication of the deed of indemnity will not advance the public’s understanding of that arrangement.
The Bank of England publishes quarterly reports for the APF, which explain to the public the implications of indemnity for the Treasury and the cash transfer arrangements between the Bank and Treasury.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what formal discussions they have had with (1) the Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, and (2) the Committee as a whole, since June 2016.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Shadow Minister (Treasury)
His Majesty's Government regularly engages with the Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, and with the Committee as a whole. Details of formal interactions with the Government are published in the Committee's Annual Reports, which are publicly available on the Committee's website.
The Government values the work of the Committee, and understands the importance of regular engagement as part of an effective oversight relationship.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have given to immunocompromised individuals who are still shielding from COVID-19.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
The shielding programme ended on 15 September 2021. The COVID-19 vaccination programme has ensured that shielding is no longer necessary for immunosuppressed people. In addition, the Government has issued public health advice in an online only format for those whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19. This advises eligible individuals to ensure they receive additional doses of the vaccines as appropriate.
Many people in this cohort are also eligible for new monoclonal antibody and antiviral treatments to prevent the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation. The advice also suggests that those who are immunosuppressed should seek advice from their National Health Service clinician where appropriate and consider additional steps to prevent the risk of infection. This may include avoiding those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their household contacts until 10 days after a positive test and ensuring their home is well ventilated when receiving visitors.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of Evusheld by other countries; and what data they have received on that drug’s efficiency at combatting the effects of COVID-19.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
The Antivirals and Therapeutics Taskforce engages with other nations on the use, deployment and evaluation of therapeutics and antivirals. We understand that more than 20 countries have procured Evusheld and a proportion have begun to deploy the treatment.
AstraZeneca announced positive trial data from the PROVENT trial, which showed Evusheld’s efficacy against developing symptomatic COVID-19. However, this trial took place prior to the emergence of the Omicron variant. The TACKLE study will provide additional efficacy data on Evusheld for the treatment of COVID-19. AstraZeneca commissioned the UK Health Security Agency to undertake testing into the effectiveness of Evusheld against the Omicron variants. Initial data against BA.1 and BA.2 has been shared with AstraZeneca. The Department is currently reviewing the efficacy of Evusheld for prophylaxis.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the efficacy of Evusheld on the protection of patients with metastatic cancer from COVID-19.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
The Department is currently assessing Evusheld, which includes requesting clinicians to advise on the most appropriate option for the National Health Service with the available data, the public health situation and other treatments available. We expect to receive clinical advice shortly.
The Therapeutics Clinical Review Panel provides advice on the most appropriate patient cohorts for new COVID-19 therapies, including preventative treatments. However, we are currently unable to confirm the efficacy of Evusheld for specific patient groups. Final clinical policies and eligibility would be proposed by the NHS and agreed by the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of immunocompromised individuals who would benefit from access to Evusheld if it became available.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Urgent work is underway with clinical experts to estimate the size of the cohort. The Therapeutics Clinical Review Panel provides advice on the most appropriate patient cohorts for new COVID-19 therapies, including preventative treatments. Final clinical policies and eligibility would be proposed by the National Health Service and agreed by the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Care on 7 June (1507), when they expect the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) testing review of Evusheld to be completed.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
AstraZeneca commissioned the UK Health Strategic Authority (UKHSA) to complete testing into the effectiveness of Evusheld against the Omicron variants. The initial testing is now complete and data has been shared with AstraZeneca. After reviewing the data, it is a matter for AstraZeneca to determine whether to commission further testing, therefore we are unable to confirm when testing will be completed.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to passing emergency legislation to prevent the use of trusts as a means of evading sanctions imposed on oligarchs.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We have been moving at pace to sanction those propping up Putin's regime. Our sanctions since the invasion cover more than 1,200 Russian and Belarussian individuals, entities and subsidiaries at the heart of, or supporting, Putin's regime. This includes travel bans and asset freezes applied to Russia's leading oligarchs, with a combined worth in excess of £100 billion. Measures taken so far are historic and are having a real impact on Putin and his war machine. Nothing and no one is off the table.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the increase in cost to the buyers of Russian (1) oil, and (2) gas, in the UK of a ban on the import of these products.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is in not dependent on Russian gas. In 2021 it made up less than 4% of UK supply. The integrated nature of the European gas market, and the fact that gas is an international traded commodity, means that factors that influence European or internationally prices are likely to be reflected in UK prices. The Government remains confident in the UK’s energy security and the UK’s highly diverse sources of gas supply.
Crude oil operates in an international market and influenced by a range of supply and demand factors. The phasing out of Russian imports will not be immediate, but allows the UK time to adjust its supply chains.
Asked by: Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what they consider would constitute the withdrawal of banking services from the Central Bank of Russia by the Bank of International Settlements; what discussions they have had with the Bank of England about the withdrawal; and what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the measures to withdraw such banking services from Russia.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The government and Bank of England have cooperated closely in implementing sanctions on Russia and will continue to do so. Decisions over the nature of services provided by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) are a matter for that body and its members. The Bank of England, which is the United Kingdom’s member, has engaged with the BIS on this issue. The BIS has suspended access of the Central Bank of Russia to all BIS services, meetings and other BIS activities. The government is confident that the range of unprecedented measures announced by the international community are having a significant effect on the Russian economy undermining its ability to wage war in Ukraine.