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  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Women and Equalities

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Women and Equalities

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeremy Corbyn on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities, when the Government plans to introduce regulations under the Equalities Act to prevent discrimination by caste and descent.

    Mrs Helen Grant

    There is a lack of certainty on some intrinsic issues around caste, such as what it is and how it is manifested, partly because there had never been any form of public consultation on caste. It was accepted therefore by both Front Benches during the Parliamentary debate on this issue last year that the whole process, up to and including the commencement of legislation, would take time and should include a consultation on the proposed legislation. The Government is currently considering two issues which have developed and which have potential implications for the consultation stage. We would expect the public consultation document, including our conclusions on these matters, to issue in the Autumn. We will then be in a position to consider plans to introduce regulations. You may also wish to note the answer given to Lord Avebury by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, which can be found in the Official Report for 6 May 2014, Col 331-2.

  • Diane Abbott – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Diane Abbott – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 17 September 2012, Official Report, column 512W, on torture, what the result of the audit was; if she will publish the audit; what training requirements were identified by the audit; whether that training has been delivered; if she will publish the training materials; and if she will make a statement.

    James Brokenshire

    An audit of casework relating to reports made under Rule 35 of the Detention
    Centre Rules 2001 began in April this year and will be completed in June. The
    findings of the audit will be made available later in the summer and will be
    used to identify good practice and areas for improvement.

  • Ann Coffey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Ann Coffey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Coffey on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were on child protection plans in each Greater Manchester local authority area in the last three years for which data is available.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    The data requested can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/characteristics-of-children-in-need-in-england-2012-to-2013

    “

  • James Duddridge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    James Duddridge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Duddridge on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the arrest of Mario Masuku in Swaziland.

    Mark Simmonds

    We are concerned by the arrests of Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini at a Workers’ Event in Swaziland on 1 May. They have been charged under the Sedition and Subversive Activities and Suppression of Terrorism Acts and continue to be held in custody pending trial proceedings. We are also concerned by the situation of Thulani Maseko, a lawyer, and Bheki Makhubu, a journalist, who remain in custody in Swaziland following their re-arrest on 9 April 2014. We encourage the Swazi Government to respect the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in Swaziland, as set out in the Swazi Constitution, and their international human rights obligations.

  • James Duddridge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    James Duddridge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Duddridge on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will instruct HM High Commissioner to Swaziland to raise the case of Mario Masuku and the Zakhele Remand Centre with the Swaziland government.

    Mark Simmonds

    We will continue to raise human rights concerns, such as Mr Masuku’s arrest and current detention with the Swazi authorities at senior levels. The UK has no permanent diplomatic presence in Swaziland. However, our High Commission in South Africa covers our relations with Swaziland and our officials visit Swaziland regularly.

  • James Duddridge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    James Duddridge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Duddridge on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports the Government has received on the Zakhele Remand Centre in Swaziland.

    Mark Simmonds

    We have not received any specific reports about the Zakhele Remand Centre. However, we remain concerned by the human rights situation in Swaziland, including restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. We call on the Swazi government to respect the human rights of all detainees and the independence of the judiciary. We will continue to work with international partners including the EU, US, Commonwealth and the South African Development Community (SADC) to exert international pressure for change.

  • Sarah Newton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Sarah Newton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Newton on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government will publish the National Pollinator Strategy: for bees and other pollinators in England.

    George Eustice

    After engaging with interested parties over recent months, including holding a public consultation between 6 March and 2 May, we plan to publish the final National Pollinator Strategy this summer.

  • Heidi Alexander – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Heidi Alexander – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Heidi Alexander on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2014, Official Report, column 461W, on NHS: insolvency, when he plans to place in the Library the minutes of the meeting on 2 April 2014.

    Jane Ellison

    We plan to place a final copy of the minutes of the meeting on 2 April in the Library in due course, once the terms of reference for the Committee have been finalised.

  • Lord Colwyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Colwyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Colwyn on 2014-05-08.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment Public Health England has made of whether the current number of consultants in dental public health is sufficient; and when they expect to make a decision on whether the current 12-month fixed-term contracts will be extended.

    Earl Howe

    Public Health England (PHE) has commenced a review of the number of dental public health consultants required to meet its statutory and non–statutory functions and this will report in the autumn 2014. A decision will be made on the fixed term contracts as part of the review.

  • Lord Colwyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Colwyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Colwyn on 2014-05-08.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to increase the number of dental practices piloting the National Health Service’s new contractual arrangements; and what is the timetable for those reforms to be completed.

    Earl Howe

    Decisions on the detailed shape of the next stage have not yet been taken. The forthcoming engagement exercise on the reforms with the dental community is intended to increase awareness of the process and allow an opportunity for the wider dental community to input.