The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with (a) Big Six and (b) other combined cycle gas turbine generators on the effect on the electricity market of Black Start payments to coal-fired power stations.
Andrea Leadsom
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had specific discussions with the Big Six or combined cycle gas turbine generators on this matter.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations he has received from minority faith groups since July 2013 on the availability of coroners at all times.
Dr Phillip Lee
Justice Ministers have received representations from the Jewish and Muslim communities about coroners out of hours’ services and have met representatives from these communities. We recognise the importance of an out of hours service and have worked with the police and local authorities to this end.
Regulation 4 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 requires coroners to be available at all times to address matters relating to an investigation into a death which must be dealt with immediately and cannot wait until the next working day. This is particularly important in cases of homicide and mass fatalities. Coroners also make themselves available if needed in cases involving organ and tissue donation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough on 2016-09-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to enable the Nursing and Midwifery Council to process disciplinary hearings in a more timely, effective and efficient manner.
Lord Prior of Brampton
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent body responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom. The NMC is responsible for discharge of its statutory duties including fitness to practise (FtP) investigations and hearings.
The Department is working closely with the NMC on a number of proposed legislative changes which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its FtP processes. The Department has recently consulted on these proposed changes and is currently considering the responses received.
The Government is committed to ensuring that professional regulation continues to provide effective protection for patients.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Griffiths on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in need whose primary assessment of need was abuse or neglect were within 12 months of a previous referral in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Edward Timpson
The information requested is not available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the consultation document on contaminated bloods will be published.
Jane Ellison
The shape and structure of a new scheme will be decided following public consultation. The consultation document, including details of how those who are interested can provide a response, will be published in January.
Following this consultation, taking into account the views that we receive, we will then work as quickly as possible to launch any scheme reform.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-01-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2016 to Question 21142, if he will make it his policy to make mandatory the recording of the diagnosis code in the accident and emergency data set.
Jane Ellison
Following a review of the Accident and Emergency Commissioning Data Set in 2014, a specific project was established to support the development of an improved data set for urgent and emergency care. This is a collaborative project which includes wide-ranging membership across our key partners. The mandatory recording of primary diagnosis within accident and emergency departments is expected to be considered within the scope of this project, which will report in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2016-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to provide immediate legal advice, without cost, to former service personnel required to submit to an interview about allegations related to past service during the Troubles.
Penny Mordaunt
In accordance with its normal policy, the Department funds the provision of legal advice to current or former Service personnel whose conduct in the course of their duties in Northern Ireland is being investigated by the police with a view to possible prosecution. This support includes the services of a barrister wherever necessary. The support will be available from the point at which the individual is notified that the police wish to interview him or her as a suspect, which will of course be before any charge, and will continue until the determination of the proceedings. In addition, the Department works closely with Regimental Associations and other Service and veterans’ welfare organisations to ensure the provision of appropriate pastoral support.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2016-03-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects discussions to begin with the US government on extending the lease for the military base on Diego Garcia.
James Duddridge
We have been clear that we want to see US presence continue. No decisions have yet been made about whether and when to have discussions with the US about their continued presence on Diego Garcia.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Myners on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent their fiscal strategy is influenced by Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was established to introduce independence, greater transparency and credibility to the economic and fiscal forecasts on which the government’s fiscal policy is based. Since 2010, the government has used the OBR’s economic and fiscal forecasts as the official forecasts. The government sets its fiscal strategy independently of the OBR but the forecasts are used to inform decisions on fiscal policy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of microplastics entering the sea on protected species in UK waters.
George Eustice
Defra has funded a project, undertaken by the University of Plymouth, to study the effects of microplastics in the marine environment. The study did not specifically cover protected species. The project studied whether chemical pollutants stick to plastic particles, whether marine organisms ingest plastic particles and pass them along the food chain, and whether the plastics themselves, or associated chemical pollutants, could cause harm to those organisms. The final report for this project is expected to be published shortly.