My Lords, I noticed very carefully the Minister’s well-crafted job application. I hope the Prime Minister notices it as well and that the Minister is successful. He has done it with a smile on his face and with the right attitude, so I wish him good luck. I noticed that, in his Answer, he referred to mayors three times. Can he confirm that the only places in the country that will face this family holiday tax will be those where there is a directly elected mayor—and nowhere else?

My Lords, I noticed very carefully the Minister’s well-crafted job application. I hope the Prime Minister notices it as well and that the Minister is successful. He has done it with a smile on his face and with the right attitude, so I wish him good luck. I noticed that, in his Answer, he referred to mayors three times. Can he confirm that the only places in the country that will face this family holiday tax will be those where there is a directly elected mayor—and nowhere else?

My Lords, in her Answer, the Minister mentioned accountability. Given that the report demonstrated that the gaps are very significant, with something like 50% of hospitals not even being able to record a patient’s learning disability on their digital record, what are the Government doing to track progress on hitting these recommendations, and what are the accountability measures? If trusts do not deliver this quickly, who gets fired?

My Lords, in her Answer, the Minister mentioned accountability. Given that the report demonstrated that the gaps are very significant, with something like 50% of hospitals not even being able to record a patient’s learning disability on their digital record, what are the Government doing to track progress on hitting these recommendations, and what are the accountability measures? If trusts do not deliver this quickly, who gets fired?

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister’s opening Answer, when he noted that the Maritime Minister was reflecting. This sounds like a case where it would be better to embrace the court decision, recognise the worker status and take the steps necessary to properly reward people who do incredibly valuable work. As the noble Lord, Lord Hain, said, it is very good value for the taxpayer. The MCA is an executive agency of the department; the Minister should take the right decision and direct the agency to carry out its instructions. That is what we expect Ministers to do, and I am sure that the Minister will impress that course upon his Commons colleague.

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister’s opening Answer, when he noted that the Maritime Minister was reflecting. This sounds like a case where it would be better to embrace the court decision, recognise the worker status and take the steps necessary to properly reward people who do incredibly valuable work. As the noble Lord, Lord Hain, said, it is very good value for the taxpayer. The MCA is an executive agency of the department; the Minister should take the right decision and direct the agency to carry out its instructions. That is what we expect Ministers to do, and I am sure that the Minister will impress that course upon his Commons colleague.

My Lords, perhaps I might ask the Minister, given that there have been questions both about reducing the threshold for drink driving but also about enforcement from the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter,

what is the Government’s assessment, because it was not clear from the road safety plan, of the biggest contributor to deaths and injuries on the roads? Is it people who do not obey the existing limit, or is it people who obey the existing limit but are none the less not safe to drive?

My Lords, perhaps I might ask the Minister, given that there have been questions both about reducing the threshold for drink driving but also about enforcement from the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter,

what is the Government’s assessment, because it was not clear from the road safety plan, of the biggest contributor to deaths and injuries on the roads? Is it people who do not obey the existing limit, or is it people who obey the existing limit but are none the less not safe to drive?

My Lords, to follow up on the Minister’s answer to the noble Lord, Lord Beamish, he perfectly properly trumpeted increased prosecution and enforcement statistics, but those are meaningful only if we know how big a proportion of the whole problem they represent. What confidence does she have that the Environment Agency has the data to properly understand the scale of this problem so that we can test whether the enforcement measures taken are dealing with the problem effectively?

My Lords, to follow up on the Minister’s answer to the noble Lord, Lord Beamish, he perfectly properly trumpeted increased prosecution and enforcement statistics, but those are meaningful only if we know how big a proportion of the whole problem they represent. What confidence does she have that the Environment Agency has the data to properly understand the scale of this problem so that we can test whether the enforcement measures taken are dealing with the problem effectively?

To ask The Leader of the House what steps she is taking to ensure the Department of Health and Social Care answer Questions for Written Answer within 10 working days.

To ask The Leader of the House what steps she is taking to ensure the Department of Health and Social Care answer Questions for Written Answer within 10 working days.

My Lords, NHS England has said that implementing some of the new, promising drugs that exist, when they get clearance from NICE, is going to be one of the biggest challenges the NHS has faced in its 75 years. Is the Minister confident that the steps that she has set out for improving diagnosis are up to that challenge, so that we can reduce the proportion of dementia patients who do not receive a diagnosis—around a third—to much smaller levels?

My Lords, NHS England has said that implementing some of the new, promising drugs that exist, when they get clearance from NICE, is going to be one of the biggest challenges the NHS has faced in its 75 years. Is the Minister confident that the steps that she has set out for improving diagnosis are up to that challenge, so that we can reduce the proportion of dementia patients who do not receive a diagnosis—around a third—to much smaller levels?

My Lords, can I just probe the Minister a little more on that question? The messages that were published between Lord Mandelson and the

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister were clearly within the terms of the humble Address. They were not published. That raises two questions. First, why did the Minister not make them available? Secondly, what confidence does that give us that all the rest of the information that was in scope of the humble Address has actually been published? How can the Minister give us that confidence?

My Lords, can I just probe the Minister a little more on that question? The messages that were published between Lord Mandelson and the

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister were clearly within the terms of the humble Address. They were not published. That raises two questions. First, why did the Minister not make them available? Secondly, what confidence does that give us that all the rest of the information that was in scope of the humble Address has actually been published? How can the Minister give us that confidence?

My Lords, as the Minister responsible for the production of the Cabinet Manual in 2011, I have to confess that I expected that it would have been updated before now, so I welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday. I can confirm that one section that does not need updating is the bit about the formation of Governments. It is quite comprehensive, since it was done after the 2010 election. However, can the Minister confirm that there is a very helpful section at paragraph 2.18, which may be useful in about 15 days’ time, referring to the resignation of a

Prime Minister of a majority Government and the fact that the governing party would be responsible for electing his successor?

My Lords, as the Minister responsible for the production of the Cabinet Manual in 2011, I have to confess that I expected that it would have been updated before now, so I welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday. I can confirm that one section that does not need updating is the bit about the formation of Governments. It is quite comprehensive, since it was done after the 2010 election. However, can the Minister confirm that there is a very helpful section at paragraph 2.18, which may be useful in about 15 days’ time, referring to the resignation of a

Prime Minister of a majority Government and the fact that the governing party would be responsible for electing his successor?

My Lords, I draw the Minister back to the noble Lord’s original Question, which was about which government departments are not complying with the Supreme Court’s judgment. I asked the noble Lord, Lord Collins, twice in this House to confirm that all government departments were fully complying with the Supreme Court judgment, and he confirmed twice that, absolutely, they all were doing so. Is the Minister able to confirm that and provide the evidence that supports that statement?

My Lords, I draw the Minister back to the noble Lord’s original Question, which was about which government departments are not complying with the Supreme Court’s judgment. I asked the noble Lord, Lord Collins, twice in this House to confirm that all government departments were fully complying with the Supreme Court judgment, and he confirmed twice that, absolutely, they all were doing so. Is the Minister able to confirm that and provide the evidence that supports that statement?

My Lords, on a note of agreement, I agree with the Minister—I think—on his position on the defence bank, which may surprise him. He set out the importance of defence procurement. Given that there was much speculative briefing over the past few days about the Government’s defence spending commitments, is he able to update the House on the much-delayed defence investment plan, which is very important in making those commitments, particularly to the British defence industry?

My Lords, on a note of agreement, I agree with the Minister—I think—on his position on the defence bank, which may surprise him. He set out the importance of defence procurement. Given that there was much speculative briefing over the past few days about the Government’s defence spending commitments, is he able to update the House on the much-delayed defence investment plan, which is very important in making those commitments, particularly to the British defence industry?

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the reply by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 23 March (HL Deb col 1353), which organisations they consulted on the UK Steel Strategy, and what feedback they provided.

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the reply by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 23 March (HL Deb col 1353), which organisations they consulted on the UK Steel Strategy, and what feedback they provided.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 23 March (HL Deb col 1351), what economic analysis was carried out on the impact of steel tariffs on (1) the construction sector and (2) domestic manufacturing industry, before the UK Steel Strategy was published.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 23 March (HL Deb col 1351), what economic analysis was carried out on the impact of steel tariffs on (1) the construction sector and (2) domestic manufacturing industry, before the UK Steel Strategy was published.

To ask His Majesty's Government what was the average time to resolve a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office in respect of Freedom of Information requests, in each of the past 5 years.

To ask His Majesty's Government what was the average time to resolve a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office in respect of Freedom of Information requests, in each of the past 5 years.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 16 March (HL Deb col 732), what steps, if any, they plan to take to ensure that university leaders who fail to take action to combat antisemitism are held accountable.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 16 March (HL Deb col 732), what steps, if any, they plan to take to ensure that university leaders who fail to take action to combat antisemitism are held accountable.

My Lords, I was pleased to have commissioned Sir Ross to conduct this inquiry and I place on record my thanks to him for his excellent report, which highlights the danger of channel crossings, the appalling organised crime groups that exploit vulnerable people and the difficulty for any Government in balancing border security and protecting life at sea. I am grateful to the Minister for saying that the Government are going to come forward in May with an interim report. I urge him to look at the fantastic work His Majesty’s Coastguard does with its partners in the RNLI, and at strengthening its resources to make sure that we can protect life at sea while also ensuring that we have secure borders.

My Lords, I was pleased to have commissioned Sir Ross to conduct this inquiry and I place on record my thanks to him for his excellent report, which highlights the danger of channel crossings, the appalling organised crime groups that exploit vulnerable people and the difficulty for any Government in balancing border security and protecting life at sea. I am grateful to the Minister for saying that the Government are going to come forward in May with an interim report. I urge him to look at the fantastic work His Majesty’s Coastguard does with its partners in the RNLI, and at strengthening its resources to make sure that we can protect life at sea while also ensuring that we have secure borders.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Collins of Highbury on 26 February (HL Deb col 736), when they expect to conclude the consultation with Scottish and Welsh Ministers about the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Collins of Highbury on 26 February (HL Deb col 736), when they expect to conclude the consultation with Scottish and Welsh Ministers about the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations.

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to answer Written Question HL14227, tabled on 3 February and due for answer on 17 February; and for what reason they have not yet answered the question.

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to answer Written Question HL14227, tabled on 3 February and due for answer on 17 February; and for what reason they have not yet answered the question.

My Lords, the Government’s priority today appears to be to reduce the cost of living. If that is the case, why do they feel that introducing new taxes to make holidays in the United Kingdom more expensive for British people is a good idea?

My Lords, the Government’s priority today appears to be to reduce the cost of living. If that is the case, why do they feel that introducing new taxes to make holidays in the United Kingdom more expensive for British people is a good idea?

My Lords, I strongly support what my noble friend said about SaxaVord. I was very pleased to consent to the CAA’s regulatory approval when I was the Transport Secretary. I want to press the Minister a little more on the market size that will potentially be available to the UK with that vertical launch capability at SaxaVord. What specific steps will the Government take to ensure that we have that capability in the years to come?

My Lords, I strongly support what my noble friend said about SaxaVord. I was very pleased to consent to the CAA’s regulatory approval when I was the Transport Secretary. I want to press the Minister a little more on the market size that will potentially be available to the UK with that vertical launch capability at SaxaVord. What specific steps will the Government take to ensure that we have that capability in the years to come?