The legislation governing the Blue Badge scheme requires that the side of the badge bearing the photograph should not be on display. Many disabled people have concerns about personal security and would not like to have such information on view. There are no plans to change this requirement.

Blue Badges have key information which enables on-street enforcement officers to check the details of the badge and the badge holder, and to view a photograph at the roadside on a smartphone or similar device.

The Department for Transport keeps the Blue Badge scheme under review, carrying out research and working closely with local authorities aiming to improve the consistency of local enforcement to tackle fraud and misuse of the Blue Badge scheme by acting swiftly and sharing best practice.

The Department for Transport does not hold data about the number of prosecutions for illegal badges.

The Department for Transport sets the legislation that governs the scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administrating the scheme.

Current legislation provides local authorities with the means to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge scheme locally, such as the power to retain and cancel badges found to be misused.

The Department for Transport does not hold data about the number of prosecutions for illegal badges.

The Department for Transport sets the legislation that governs the scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administrating the scheme.

Current legislation provides local authorities with the means to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge scheme locally, such as the power to retain and cancel badges found to be misused.

Her Majesty's Passport Office does not monitor or record data on British passport holders who enter or leave the UK. On 31 December 2017, there were just under 50 million valid UK passports in issue that were not cancelled, lost or stolen. This data is calculated at the end of each calendar year.

HM Passport Office does not estimate the numbers of passports which might have been obtained fraudulently but the following table details the detections of fraudulently obtained passports in the last five years.

The discount rate is related to the rate of return on government bonds, because there is an underlying assumption that those who receive large damages awards for future care will invest them in a very conservative manner, in bonds. Therefore, as the interest rate drops, so the discount rate will also drop.

I cannot agree with the noble Lord. The principle of IER was supported on a cross-party basis when it was introduced. It brings us into line with every other serious democracy in the world, and it meets the expectations of British citizens who live fast-paced digital lives and expect to be able to interact with public services digitally. It is important that we carry on with this reform.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) receive a variety of data and intelligence from numerous sources. Everything from bulk data from third parties to information provided by individuals through the Tax and Customs Evasion Hotlines.

Clamping down on those who try to cheat the system through evading taxes and over claiming benefits is a key priority for HMRC, and they are committed to ensuring the tax system operates fairly and efficiently. All the information HMRC receive is risk-assessed and a decision made on the most appropriate course of action.

Data and intelligence received could include information relating to the London souvenir and gift trade. However, there is strict law of confidentiality covering all the work for which HMRC are responsible. The relevant law is Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue & Customs Act 2005, which strictly limits the circumstances under which they disclose information they hold and any action taken. This prohibits HMRC from giving specific details of any information received regarding any sector.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are committed to tackling tax avoidance, evasion and fraud at all levels to ensure everyone pays the right tax at the right time.

HMRC introduced a series of taskforces in 2011 to target specific high risk sectors in certain locations. There are currently no plans for a taskforce dedicated to the London souvenir and gift trade, although that does not mean that HMRC takes no action against fraud in this sector.

Other, existing taskforces – for example those focusing on London retail, indoor and outdoor markets, and VAT repayments – will have an impact on the sector. Additionally, the sector will be impacted through HMRC’s normal intelligence- and data-led way of identifying and addressing tax risks.

My Lords, I entirely disagree with the noble Lord on that. We are one of the few democracies that clings to the 19th century approach of household registration. Individual electoral registration is much more appropriate to the population we now have.

I am not quite as confident that there is no problem of electoral fraud outside the South Asian Muslim community, which I think the noble Lord was getting close to saying. As a young

Liberal, I listened to many people talking about quite considerable electoral fraud among the white population during elections held in the 1940s and 1950s. I am not entirely sure that it has completely disappeared today.

Pursuant to my answer of 3 June (Official Record WA 100), yes, the answer covered action taken by the Royal Engineers export team to promote the export of defence equipment.

We have found no information to indicate that the Royal Engineers Export Support Team (RE EST) was involved in any sale of bomb detection equipment by companies linked to James McCormick. For legal reasons, at present I am unable to comment further on matters relating to Gary Bolton. An application for leave for him to appeal against conviction and sentence has been lodged and is pending.

The RE EST was part of the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) within the Ministry of Defence. The unit closed in 2005. The Export Support Team is now part of the UKTI Defence and Security Organisation, although it is staffed by serving members of the British Army.

Pursuant to my answer of 3 June (Official Record WA 100), yes, the answer covered action taken by the Royal Engineers export team to promote the export of defence equipment.

We have found no information to indicate that the Royal Engineers Export Support Team (RE EST) was involved in any sale of bomb detection equipment by companies linked to James McCormick. For legal reasons, at present I am unable to comment further on matters relating to Gary Bolton. An application for leave for him to appeal against conviction and sentence has been lodged and is pending.

The RE EST was part of the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) within the Ministry of Defence. The unit closed in 2005. The Export Support Team is now part of the UKTI Defence and Security Organisation, although it is staffed by serving members of the British Army.

No Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) or Ministry of Defence (MoD) official was involved in approval of products relating to bomb detection sold to any countries overseas in conjunction with companies connected to James McCormick. UK Trade & Investment had very limited interaction with Mr McCormick and his company ATSC (UK) Ltd. Records show that Mr McCormick attended a UKTI business seminar in Essex in 2008 at which UKTI officials spoke. No evidence has been found of any subsequent interaction with UKTI or UKTI Defence & Security Organisation (DSO). It is UKTI policy not to endorse products.