Category: Speeches

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Charlotte Leslie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2016-04-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the (a) reduction in the number of gliders available for Air Cadet forces, (b) reduction in the number of gliding induction courses and (c) closure of 14 volunteer gliding squadrons on the operations and activities of air cadet squadrons across the UK.

    Mr Julian Brazier

    When the in-depth audit of glider engineering found that both the Vigilant and Viking aircraft fleets failed to meet the airworthiness standards required and all Air Cadet gliding had to be suspended as safety is paramount in all flying activity, it was essential that the RAF explored options for the future of glider experience flights, together with future fleet size and location. As a result of this work, and after substantial operational, technical and commercial negotiations with a range of leading aerospace companies, it became apparent that repair of all the existing Viking and Vigilant fleets was not economically sustainable. In particular, there was no reliable contractor able to take on a large scale refurbishment of the Vigilant fleet.

    The reduced glider fleet will operate at fewer, but larger, regional Volunteer Gliding Squadrons. Where Cadets have to travel longer distances investment is being increased to provide good quality residential accommodation. There will also be an uplift in Tutor aircraft, for powered flying from 45 to 70, and the formation of two additional Air Experience Flights, as well as the provision of 25 part task trainers.

    The Air Cadet Organisation are developing their courses, which centre on a common syllabus focusing every single flight on training rather than providing a passenger experience, be that in the air with gliding and powered flight or through synthetic training on part-task trainers funded by the RAF Charitable Trust. The redesigned courses provide a Cadet flying training structure like that used by our future RAF Typhoon and Lightning II pilots. Cadets will learn basic flying skills from an early point in their Air Cadet careers starting with ground school lessons and realistic synthetic training on part task trainers, building flying experience. This smart use and integration of synthetic flying during the early stages alongside powered and glider flying means that the Air Cadet of the future will once more have aviation opportunities unmatched by any other National Cadet Force worldwide.

  • Ian Blackford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Ian Blackford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Blackford on 2016-05-18.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on levels of pension saving of the introduction of the lifetime ISA.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Lifetime ISA is a complement to the existing pension system. It will provide savers with greater choice and flexibility in how they save for retirement.

    From April 2017, people aged 18 to 40 will be able to save up to £4,000 each year into a Lifetime ISA and receive a 25% bonus from the Government.

  • Diane Abbott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Diane Abbott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have died as a result of (a) sickle cell disease and (b) thalassaemia in each (i) clinical commissioning group area, (ii) trust area and (iii) national sickle cell and thalassaemia centre area in the most recent year for which figures are available.

    George Freeman

    NHS England does not routinely collect this information. Data on adverse events for patients with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia is available from the National Haemoglobinopathy Registry Report 2013/14.

  • Anna Turley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Anna Turley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2016-09-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2016 to Question 42347, what assessment she has made of the public health implications of slag and metal contaminants in surface and ground waters at the former SSI site; and if she will make an assessment of the (a) likely cost and (b) timetable for remediation of those contaminants.

    Dr Thérèse Coffey

    Government Officials continue to work with the Official Receiver to maintain a ‘safe state’ position for the SSI site, including managing risks to human health and the water environment.

    Government has committed to fund site assessments to understand the scale and complexity of the SSI site, which will help inform future decisions about the site.

  • Louise Haigh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Louise Haigh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2015-11-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to ensure that people with rare neuromuscular conditions in Sheffield, Heeley constituency have access to the appropriate wheelchair for their condition.

    Alistair Burt

    Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning wheelchair services.

    NHS England advises that it is supporting improvements in wheelchair services to ensure wheelchair users and their families can lead full, independent and active lives. This work involves establishing a new national wheelchair data collection to drive improvement, piloting a tariff for wheelchairs and supporting improvements in the commissioning of services.

  • David Amess – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    David Amess – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2015-12-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of whether clinical commissioning groups are fully prepared to assume active commissioning of tier 4 obesity from April 2016.

    George Freeman

    NHS England is supporting the transfer of commissioning responsibilities for obesity surgery services to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to ensure that they are fully prepared to assume the role.

    They will provide technical and operational guidance to commissioners, including undertaking an evaluation of Tier 3 and Tier 4 interfaces within regions to assist CCGs. This guidance is in development.

    NHS England is also supporting CCGs through national and local collaborative meetings on commissioning.

  • Justin Madders – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Justin Madders – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-01-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the Government plans to publish the findings of its review of employment tribunal fees.

    Mr Shailesh Vara

    Following public consultation, the government introduced fees in Employment Tribunals as a way of reducing the burden on the taxpayer and to encourage parties to seek alternative ways of resolving their disputes.

    On 11 June we announced the start of the post-implementation review of the introduction of fees in the Employment Tribunals.

    The review will report in due course.

  • Fiona Bruce – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Fiona Bruce – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-02-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications of the reference to a number of protected characteristics in paragraph seven of the Government’s Counter-Extremism Strategy, Cm 9148, for the effect of the Equality Act 2010 on all the protected characteristics it includes.

    Karen Bradley

    The Government is required to impact assess its policies against the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. I am satisfied that the Counter-Extremism Strategy demonstrates compliance, where relevant, with Section 149 of the Equality Act and that due regard has been made to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations.

    The Counter-Extremism Strategy aims to tackle extremism in all its forms and reduce the harm it causes, iIncluding harms such as discrimination, harassment and victimisation. To tackle these harms the strategy focuses on four areas:

    • Countering extremist ideology;

    • Building partnerships;

    • Disrupting extremists; and

    • Building more cohesive communities.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-03-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applications have been made from Calais in each year since 2010; and how many such applications have been unsuccessful.

    James Brokenshire

    Our international obligations under the Refugee Convention do not extend to accepting asylum claims from outside the United Kingdom. There is no provision in our Immigration Rules for someone to be given permission to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Individuals currently in Calais in need of international protection are expected to claim asylum in France.

  • Margaret Ritchie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Margaret Ritchie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-04-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent discussions she has had with the French government and EDF on whether there will be changes to the timetable for the development of Hinkley Point C.

    Andrea Leadsom

    We are in close contact with EDF and the French Government regarding the Hinkley Point C project. EDF are confident that the plant will begin generating electricity in 2025.