Category: Speeches

  • John Randall – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    John Randall – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Randall on 2015-02-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many calls have been logged in total since the government-funded trafficking helpline run by the NSPCC was established; and how many confirmed victims of human trafficking have been identified as a result of such calls.

    Karen Bradley

    The Modern Slavery helpline was set up on 31 July 2014 as part of a wider
    national communications campaign. Between 31 July 2014 and 29 January 2015,
    the NSPCC helpline received a total of 654 contacts. These contacts comprise
    383 referrals, 82 advice cases, and 189 enquiries. The helpline ensures that
    potential victims are referred to the appropriate agencies, including law
    enforcement, for immediate support and assistance. As a result, the NSPCC does
    not record the number of confirmed victims of modern slavery, including human
    trafficking.

  • Lord Hoyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Lord Hoyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hoyle on 2015-02-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to end dog fighting.

    Lord De Mauley

    Dog fighting has been banned in this country for over 100 years. It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of £20,000 or both. In addition, the police have powers to investigate allegations of dog fighting as well as powers of arrest against those suspected of being involved in this barbaric practice.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on the basis of what research findings the Government developed its proposals to decrease the role of coursework in GCSE and A-level curriculums.

    Mr Nick Gibb

    This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation and I have asked its Chief Regulator, Glenys Stacey, to write directly to the hon. Member. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  • Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to restrict the use of antibiotics on farms to the treatment of sick animals.

    George Eustice

    The EU Veterinary Medicinal Products Directive is the core legislation which sets out the framework for controls on veterinary medicines, including veterinary antibiotics, within EU Member States. The European Commission is expected to publish proposals for the revision of the EU legislative framework later this year.

    The Government’s position is that any changes to the EU legislation, including changes to controls on veterinary antibiotics, should be evidence based and take into account the potential impact on animal health and welfare.

  • Yasmin Qureshi – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Yasmin Qureshi – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Yasmin Qureshi on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with the government of Burma reported threats that ethnic Rohingya identifying themselves as such in the census could face arrest.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    We have not received reports of anyone facing arrest for identifying themselves as Rohingya in Burma’s census; the enumeration period is now over. However, we were deeply disappointed that during the census the Burmese government went against its long-standing assurance that all individuals would have the right to self-identify their ethnic origin. We have been clear that this decision is in contravention of international norms and standards on census conduct. I discussed our concerns on the census with the senior Burmese minister responsible, Immigration Minister U Khin Yi, in March, and summoned the Burmese Ambassador in April.

    The UK, UN and other donors have been in dialogue with the Burmese government and community groups throughout the preparation, enumeration and now the data analysis and dissemination stages of the census. We have been absolutely clear that we want to see as peaceful, credible and complete a process as possible, with the anticipated risks carefully managed.

  • Rosie Cooper – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Rosie Cooper – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Lancashire residents were admitted to a mental health unit that was not their nearest facility in urgent or emergency situations because of a lack of beds since April 2012; how many such patients lived in West Lancashire constituency; and how much has been spent on private sector provision for such patients.

    Norman Lamb

    The data is not collected centrally.

    Information on out of area placements for mental health patients in Lancashire and the costs of private sector provision for such patients may be obtained from NHS England’s Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral Area Team.

    Patients may be referred out of area for specialised mental health treatment for a number of reasons. In all cases, places will be found in the nearest possible facility.

  • Graham Brady – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Graham Brady – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Brady on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what audit has taken place in each of the last five financial years of the extent to which the uses to which the UK contribution to the World Health Organisation budget has been put have met Government objectives; and what those objectives were.

    Jane Ellison

    The World Health Organization (WHO) is audited every year by an external auditor; their accounts have been unqualified for the last five years. The United Kingdom, as all member states, has oversight of WHO through the governing body meetings; this oversight function has increased from May 2014, by the UK becoming a member of the Executive Board and the Programme Budget and Administration Committee. The UK has participated fully in the process to agree the priorities of WHO, most recently agreeing the general programme of work for 2014 – 2019 and the programme budget 2014-2015, which have included action on our priority areas such as on antimicrobial resistance, malaria, and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.

  • Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Burns on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the names are of the candidates who have been short-listed for consideration for the position of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; and what the country of residence of each such candidate is.

    John Thurso

    Three candidates are currently shortlisted. It is not the Commission’s practice to disclose confidential personal information, including names of applicants for positions.

  • Kerry McCarthy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Kerry McCarthy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will ensure that the UK’s financial contribution to the Green Climate Fund is announced at the Climate Summit in September 2014.

    Lynne Featherstone

    The UK government considers all resource mobilisations in terms of impact and value for money for the British taxpayer. Any announcements are timed to encourage international donors to step up to the plate.

  • Peter Bone – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    Peter Bone – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Leader of the House, how many amendments to Government bills were not debated in the House due to a lack of time in each of the last 10 years.

    Mr William Hague

    The information sought is not held in the form requested; nor is it possible to determine the reasons why some amendments are not debated. The majority of public bill committees in this Parliament have concluded earlier than the time programmed. The average number of groups of amendments not reached at Report Stage on a Bill in each of the ten Sessions from 2002-03 has been provided by the Government and is included in the Appendix of the Third Report from the Procedure Committee of Session 2013-14, HC767. The figure for the 2013-14 Session is an average of 1.4 groups per Bill.