Gambling is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and therefore the operation of large-scale society lotteries is a matter for the Northern Irish Executive.

Large-scale society lotteries in Great Britain are legislated through the Gambling Act 2005, which does not extend to Northern Ireland. The National Lottery operates under separate legislation and is able to sell tickets in Northern Ireland and distribute good cause money there.

Gambling is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and therefore the operation of large-scale society lotteries is a matter for the Northern Irish Executive.

Large-scale society lotteries in Great Britain are legislated through the Gambling Act 2005, which does not extend to Northern Ireland. The National Lottery operates under separate legislation and is able to sell tickets in Northern Ireland and distribute good cause money there.

Gambling is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and therefore the operation of large-scale society lotteries is a matter for the Northern Irish Executive.

Large-scale society lotteries in Great Britain are legislated through the Gambling Act 2005, which does not extend to Northern Ireland. The National Lottery operates under separate legislation and is able to sell tickets in Northern Ireland and distribute good cause money there.

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain (2023) found that lottery products are associated with the lowest harm rates, as measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).

The survey estimated that problem gamblers (scoring 8 or more on the PGSI) in the 12 months prior to survey publication were slightly more common among those who played society lottery draws (4.6%), compared to those who played National Lottery draw-based games (3.9%).

The Department is considering the findings of independent research commissioned in 2023, which looked at the size and nature of the prize draw market, and the relationship with the lotteries sector.

This research is informing our policy considerations, and I will update Parliament in due course.

The lotteries sector provides vital funding for charities and other good causes. The Government wants to see society lotteries continue to thrive, without undermining the unique position of the National Lottery.

The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions and convictions for money laundering and/or bribery offences in the Outcomes by Offence data tool including offences as set out in the Offence Group Classification. This can be found via the following link: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

However, it is not possible to establish whether the defendant is a member of the House of Lords or House of Commons, as this information is not held centrally in the Courts Proceeding Database. This information may be held on court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs. The Government does not maintain a register of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and does not hold information on how many PEPs have been investigated, prosecuted, or convicted in relation to money laundering or bribery.

The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 require businesses within the regulated sector (such as banks) to treat individuals who are entrusted with prominent public functions as PEPs, including members of a country’s legislative body. The Financial Conduct Authority provides guidance to businesses within the regulated sector on which customers should be regarded as PEPs under the Money Laundering Regulations, and how a proportionate risk-based based approach to these customers should be applied.

The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions and convictions for money laundering and/or bribery offences in the Outcomes by Offence data tool including offences as set out in the Offence Group Classification. This can be found via the following link: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

However, it is not possible to establish whether the defendant is a member of the House of Lords or House of Commons, as this information is not held centrally in the Courts Proceeding Database. This information may be held on court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs. The Government does not maintain a register of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and does not hold information on how many PEPs have been investigated, prosecuted, or convicted in relation to money laundering or bribery.

The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 require businesses within the regulated sector (such as banks) to treat individuals who are entrusted with prominent public functions as PEPs, including members of a country’s legislative body. The Financial Conduct Authority provides guidance to businesses within the regulated sector on which customers should be regarded as PEPs under the Money Laundering Regulations, and how a proportionate risk-based based approach to these customers should be applied.

The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions and convictions for money laundering and/or bribery offences in the Outcomes by Offence data tool including offences as set out in the Offence Group Classification. This can be found via the following link: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

However, it is not possible to establish whether the defendant is a member of the House of Lords or House of Commons, as this information is not held centrally in the Courts Proceeding Database. This information may be held on court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs. The Government does not maintain a register of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and does not hold information on how many PEPs have been investigated, prosecuted, or convicted in relation to money laundering or bribery.

The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 require businesses within the regulated sector (such as banks) to treat individuals who are entrusted with prominent public functions as PEPs, including members of a country’s legislative body. The Financial Conduct Authority provides guidance to businesses within the regulated sector on which customers should be regarded as PEPs under the Money Laundering Regulations, and how a proportionate risk-based based approach to these customers should be applied.

There were over 1,600 responses to the consultation. We are carefully considering the evidence and hope to respond to the consultation in the first half of this year.

HS2 (Phase One) is planning to provide uninterrupted digital connectivity for its passengers. The methodology of delivering this service to the train is currently in design phase and is yet to be decided, however the service will make use of a trackside optical fibre network to be installed along the HS2 line of route.

HS2 Ltd has been working with the main works civil contractors to develop Phase One scheme designs which will continue until the end of 2018 when it expects to agree construction plans for the new high-speed railway and ancillary works such as fencing.

HS2 Ltd’s technical standard for fencing requires that temporary and permanent fencing shall be stock-proofed where appropriate, and this shall take account of the anticipated livestock loading on the fencing and its foundations.

The security fencing around the entire railway, designed to prevent unauthorised access, will also act as a barrier for domestic animals and many species of wildlife.

HS2 has been designed with a view to avoiding or reducing impacts on habitats and species. Where avoidance is not possible, mitigation and compensation to address effects on legally protected wildlife includes relocating species and providing replacement habitat.

For example, underpasses and green bridges will provide safe crossing points for bats and other wildlife. Compensation for great crested newts will include replacement ponds, habitat and hibernation features. Many of the first works now underway for the railway involve the creation of such replacement habitats for wildlife.

Measures such as these will contribute to HS2’s overall aim of achieving “no net loss” in biodiversity as a consequence of building the railway.

HS2 Ltd has been working with main work civil contractors to develop scheme designs and the construction programme for the line of route works on Phase One. Scheme Design will continue until the end of 2018 when HS2 Ltd expects to agree construction plans and programmes with the main works contractors, with a view to commencing construction works in 2019. Enabling works will continue throughout 2018.

The fencing during the construction period of HS2 Phase One will be installed by the Main Works Civils Contractors, SCS JV, Align JV, EK JV and BBV JV. They will be responsible for the installation and maintenance throughout the programmed works. The long term maintenance post opening will be carried out by the Infrastructure Manager.

The Government has not commissioned any specific research into the use of electronic training collars for containment systems. However, Defra did fund research into the use of remote controlled electronic training collars. We are carefully considering all the responses and evidence received during the consultation and will respond in due course.

A public consultation on whether to ban the use of electronic training collars for dogs and cats closed on 27 April. We are now analysing the responses with a view to updating the impact assessment document which will be published in due course.

A public consultation on whether to ban the use of electronic training collars for dogs and cats closed on 27 April. We are now analysing the responses with a view to updating the impact assessment document which will be published in due course.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.

The House of Lords Catering and Retail Services (CRS) did not increase the amount of game meat on offer during Great British Game Week (20-26 November 2017). While CRS often looks to tie in with such promotions, it did not do so on this occasion; this opportunity will be considered for next year.

We recognise game is an important part of our food heritage. It is a big draw on menus across the UK and is prepared by many of our top chefs and served in many establishments countrywide. Exports of game meat were worth £9 million in 2016. We are raising the profile and reputation of British food and drink overseas through the Food is GREAT campaign, being delivered in partnership with Department for International Trade and VisitBritain.