Category: Speeches

  • Lord Alton of Liverpool – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Lord Alton of Liverpool – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2014-03-27.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of people (1) displaced, and (2) facing a humanitarian crisis, in the northern Nigerian states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa as a result of the insurgency by Boko Haram; and what assessment they have made of the needs of those people for aid.

    Baroness Northover

    The UK Government supports the assessment of humanitarian needs in Northern Nigeria through OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Although figures are difficult to quantify, OCHA estimate 5.9 million people have been affected by the insurgency in northeast Nigeria and an estimated 350,000 people have been displacedsince May 2013, both within Nigeria and across the borders into Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Most displaced people are living in host communities, although around 5,000 are in camps. OCHA has assessed the priority needs of affected people as food, water, health and shelter.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeremy Corbyn on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria are used to commission Ofsted to carry out spot inspections on schools.

    Mr David Laws

    Ofsted has been carrying out Section 8 inspections at schools with serious behavioural problems since January 2014. No-notice inspections can also be triggered by parental complaints or safeguarding concerns.

  • Lord Boateng – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Lord Boateng – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Boateng on 2014-03-27.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the effectiveness of the inquest system in respect of the absence of a duty on the Legal Aid Agency to ensure publicly funded legal representation at inquests for families of victims of deaths in custody from the actions of police officers or in circumstances of failures in the duty of care of public authorities.

    Lord Faulks

    The Government is confident that the inquest system is functioning effectively following reforms introduced last July under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. We are committed to reviewing the impact of the reforms in 2015.

    In addition, the Government has specifically protected legal aid for families at inquests. Legal Help (the advice and assistance level of legal aid) remains routinely available within the scope of the civil legal aid scheme. In exceptional circumstances funding can also be provided for the family’s legal representation at the inquest pursuant to section 6(8)(b) of the Access to Justice Act 1999 (AJA) or section 10(1) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) (the applicable legislation depending on the date of the original application). A means test applies but can be waived in certain circumstances.

    The Lord Chancellor is prevented by statute from giving directions and guidance to the Legal Aid Agency in relation to an individual case, but has published general guidance to which the Director of Legal Aid Casework must have regard when making individual decisions on applications for exceptional funding for representation at inquests. The guidance sets out the relevant criteria and specifically addresses inquests where there is a death in custody or a death in the course of police arrest, search, pursuit or shooting.

    Following a review of its decision in the Groce family’s case, the Legal Aid Agency made a funding request to the Lord Chancellor. The Lord Chancellor has considered the request and has granted funding

  • John Mann – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    John Mann – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many private and third sector bidders for privatised probation work employ ex-offenders; and of these how many employ ex-prisoners.

    Jeremy Wright

    In mid December, the bidders who passed the first stage of the competition to win the regional rehabilitation contracts were announced. The list includes a diverse mix of private and voluntary sector partnerships with more than 50 organisations represented – from charities experienced in tackling a range of issues affecting offenders, to small and large British businesses and experienced multinationals. All of these Tier One bidders have experience in working with offenders or across the wider Criminal Justice System.

    The successful delivery of this competition does not depend on or require the Programme to hold information on how many private and third sector organisations bidding for Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) contracts employ ex-offenders or ex-prisoners. Such information would be included in bidder’s submissions if it was deemed relevant by that bidder. We have a strong and diverse market and anticipate that the bids we receive to run CRCs will be of a high standard. Providers will need to demonstrate in their bids how they would deliver high quality rehabilitative support to offenders, and they will be held to account to deliver these services in their contracts.

  • Gregg McClymont – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Gregg McClymont – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregg McClymont on 2014-03-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the upper limit will be of the amount of state pension top-up people can buy.

    Steve Webb

    As announced in the Budget 2014, the maximum amount of additional State Pension that individuals can obtain under the State Pension top-up scheme (Class 3A) will be £25 per week. We intend to make details available shortly of the contribution rates by age for each £1 per week of additional pension.

  • John Glen – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    John Glen – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Glen on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of schools which will be unable to provide universal free school meals for infant children from September 2014.

    Mr David Laws

    From September, all state-funded schools in England will be under a statutory duty to offer a free school lunch to all infant pupils. Based on the feedback we are receiving, the vast majority of schools are already on track to deliver this policy and we are supporting the other schools to do so.

  • Mrs Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Mrs Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Madeleine Moon on 2014-03-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 17 March 2014, Official Report, column 534, what the date and location is of his planned small and medium-sized enterprise meeting in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    I look forward to visiting Wales to meet small and medium-sized enterprises which support defence, as part of my routine engagements with defence suppliers. I plan to visit in coming months.

  • David Anderson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    David Anderson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2014-05-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will examine Pfizers’ involvement in the development of rucaparib and publish the findings of that examination.

    Mr David Willetts

    It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

  • Neil Carmichael – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Neil Carmichael – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Carmichael on 2014-03-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what conclusions he has drawn from the 3D Printer Project Report for enriching teaching across STEM and Design subjects in schools.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The schools involved in the 2012-13 pilot 3D Printer Project explored innovative ways of teaching STEM subjects, stimulating pupil interest and enriching the curriculum. Participating schools explored the potential benefits and challenges of using this technology in the curriculum and some shared their experiences with other schools wishing to introduce 3D printers. As set out in the report, feedback confirmed that 3D printers have significant potential as a teaching resource and can have a positive impact on pupil engagement and learning.

    In October the Secretary of State for Education commissioned a further 3D Printer Project, working with the Design and Technology Association and 42 teaching school alliances, to further develop our understanding of the educational opportunities offered by 3D printers. Like the pilot project, it is exploring new ways of teaching STEM subjects using a 3D printer, but with an emphasis on using it in ways that enhance learning over other approaches. The schools involved will develop and deliver continuous professional development (CPD) on using a 3D printer to teach STEM subjects to teachers across their teaching school alliances. We plan to make the best of the STEM teaching and CPD resources developed by the participants available to schools across England.

  • Peter Bottomley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Peter Bottomley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bottomley on 2014-05-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reduction he expects in the Cayman Islands government budget and on the Cayman Islands government provision of funds this year and next to the Cayman Turtle Farm; and if he will make a statement.

    Mark Simmonds

    The Cayman Islands Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office signed in November 2011 the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility. This sets out the agreed principles for credible and sustainable financial management, including limits for public borrowing. The Cayman Islands Government is responsible for decisions on taxation and public spending, including deciding on the allocation of the resources to the turtle farm.