Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) the Government has a planned timetable for the removal of the right for hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords and (b) his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (i) ending by-elections to the House of Lords and (ii) offering life peerages to incumbent hereditary peers.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
As a first step in reform of the House of Lords, the Government has introduced the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, which will remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords.
The Government is committed to other reforms to the House of Lords, including the introduction of a mandatory retirement age, a new participation requirement, and changes to the appointments process, as well as strengthening the circumstances in which disgraced members can be removed. There is also a long-term commitment to replace the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations. Given the nature and potential scale of these reforms, the Government will conduct engagement and consult on proposals for an alternative second chamber, seeking the input of the British public on how politics can best serve them.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that British overseas territories nationals are security vetted to national standards.
Answered by John Glen
All individuals who hold UK National Security Clearance (NSV) are vetted to a consistent standard based on central policy set by the Cabinet Office. The level of clearance required is assessed by the sponsoring department or organisation subject to the particular role and responsibilities and access to sensitive assets required for the post.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate she has made of the number of illegal drug related deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.
Answered by John Glen
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman Parliamentary Question of 21st March is attached.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of mould-related (a) deaths and (b) illnesses in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency in the last three years.
Answered by John Glen
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd February is attached.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing free portraits of His Majesty King Charles III to registered charities.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Government does not have any plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of offering a free portrait of The King to registered charities.
The UK Government launched an Official Portrait scheme in November 2023 to enable certain Public Authorities across the UK to apply for a free, framed official portrait of His Majesty The King for display in their buildings.
The scheme is ongoing and is due for completion by mid year 2024. His Majesty’s accession has marked the beginning of a new reign and the UK Government considers it is right that public authorities, as part of the fabric of our nation, have the opportunity to commemorate this moment, strengthen civil pride and reflect the new era in our history.
Local authorities, court buildings, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services are among the public institutions across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, to be offered the new official photographic portrait of His Majesty, funded by the Government.
The scheme’s second phase will be open for applications from Town, Parish, City and Community Councils across UK and MoD sponsored Cadets from the 12th February.
A portrait will be available for purchase in due course for those not eligible for this scheme and details will be communicated at the time.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) adopting the Australian policy of the constitutional right to a portrait of the Sovereign and (b) offering a free portrait of the King to all homes in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Government does not have any plans to make an assessment regarding the Australian policy of the constitutional right to a portrait of the Sovereign, or offering a free portrait of the King to all homes in the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2023 to Question 1832 on Honours: Northern Ireland, if he will (a) make it his policy to (i) update the statues of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick and (ii) make the Order available to residents of the whole island of Ireland and (b) make an assessment of the potential impact of that policy on the state of the Union.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
There are no plans to update the statutes of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick.
As my Right Honourable Friend stated on 21st November (UIN 1832), nominations for existing honours are open to all citizens within the four nations of the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of lighting a D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
The Government recognises the significance of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day this year as an important opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought during World War Two.
Officials from across government are working to support the 80th anniversary celebrations with the appropriate events. The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will liaise with the Cabinet Office so that the Major Events Team here can support as required.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the value of trade between the UK and Palau was in (a) 2023 and (b) 2020.
Answered by John Glen
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 15th January is attached.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate he has made of the value of the UK's trading relationship with (a) the Southern Africa Customs Union and (b) Mozambique.
Answered by John Glen
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 4 December is attached.