The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 2014-06-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much has been spent in each of the last five years to adapt National Health Service hospitals for obese people.
Earl Howe
This information is not collected centrally. Decisions on spending are a matter for local National Health Service organisations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he has taken to secure the long-term provision of energy for the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Michael Fallon
This Government published its Energy Security Strategy in November 2012 which sets out the range of policies in place to deliver energy security and meet demand up to 2050. The strategy sets out the Government’s approach which is based on competitive markets combined with effective regulation to deliver diversity of supply and robust infrastructure for consumers. This is supported through measures in a number of areas which will enhance energy security further whilst also delivering wider energy goals.
These measures include resilience measures to prevent possible disruptions ranging from flooding through to industrial action, and to reduce the impact of incidents if they do occur and energy efficiency measures to lower our exposure to domestic and international energy market risks. We also work to maximise economic production of our oil and gas reserves to provide reliable energy supplies which are not exposed to international energy supply risks as well as working to improve the reliability of global energy markets to help ensure that, where the UK does require the supply of energy from overseas, it is dependable and affordable. In addition, reliable networks ensure that the energy we need is delivered, where we need it. Lastly, decarbonising our energy supplies will help to reduce our dependence on international fossil fuel markets in the longer term.
Further details are set out in the document which can be found at:
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Storey on 2014-06-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many schools will not have the facilities to provide hot meals in September.
Lord Nash
The Department for Education is providing funding, expert advice and support to assist schools in offering hot meals to all infant pupils from September.
There will be a range of ways that hot meals are provided in schools, with some being fully prepared on site and others transported in. The vast majority of schools are on track to offer free school meals to all their infant pupils in September, and we have made it clear that we expect them either to offer hot options immediately, or to work towards doing so as soon as possible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will investigate reports that Osama Hussain Al-Najjar has been tortured while held in custody in the UAE.
Hugh Robertson
We are aware of these reports, and will continue to monitor reporting of Osama Hussain Al-Najjar’s case.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2014-06-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to address transgender patient discrimination in the National Health Service.
Earl Howe
We expect people with transgender issues to have the same access to National Health Service treatment, including mental health services, as anybody else in the population. Mental Health has been a priority for this Government for several years now. We made this commitment explicit in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 which, for the first time, creates equal status for mental and physical health across Government and for the NHS and social care.
Since April 2013, gender identity services have been commissioned by NHS England. NHS England will continue to work with the transgendered community, clinical experts and stakeholders through the clinical reference group for gender identity services, to produce a single and consistent policy for the whole of England.
In order to ensure equitable access to services, an England-wide Interim Protocol was consulted on, developed and became operational on 1 November 2013. The Protocol is based on the previously published and well received Scottish Protocol. The Protocol relies on the publication of the Inter-Collegiate “Good practice guidelines for the treatment of adults with gender dysphoria” published at the end of October 2013. A fully consulted policy document and service specifications will be published during 2014.
In addition, NHS England has commissioned a review of transgendered patients’ access to the NHS. This review has considered all aspects of access to NHS services and is currently being finalised in readiness for publishing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase trust in the Metropolitan Police.
Damian Green
The majority of police officers serving in London and elsewhere do their jobs
well, serving their communities with dedication and professionalism. We are
building on this by:
• Delivering the first-ever Code of Ethics, which is due to be published
shortly by the College of Policing. The Code sets out clearly the high
standards of behaviour expected from all police officers and staff of all ranks;
• Establishing, through the College of Policing, a set of national registers of
chief officer reward packages, gifts and hospitality and business interests
including second jobs. The College is also producing a national register of
"struck-off" officers to record those dismissed for misconduct, ensuring that
those individuals are not re-employed by the police;
• Legislating for a new offence of police corruption, supplementing the
existing offence of misconduct in public office and focusing clearly on those
who hold police powers, as an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill
already before Parliament;
• Strengthening the Independent Police Complaints Commission so that it will
have responsibility for dealing with all serious and sensitive cases involving
the police. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary has also been commissioned to
look specifically at the anti-corruption capability of police forces, including
professional standards departments;
• Advertising now for Direct Entry to the police this autumn at Superintendent
level, which will bring a fresh perspective and approach and will open up
policing culture; and
• Introducing a comprehensive package of reform to stop and search which will
contribute to a significant reduction in the overall use of the powers, better
and more intelligence-led stop-and-search, and improved stop-to-arrest ratios.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-06-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to G4S about the legal implications of its remaining involvement with the Israeli Prison Service until 2017, in the light of Article 76 of the 4th Geneva Convention and its application to the detention of Palestinians.
Baroness Warsi
The UK considers that Israel’s detention of Palestinian prisoners within Israel is contrary to Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and have clearly stated this position to Israeli officials. We have also made clear our concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees in meetings with G4S. International law does not impose direct obligations on corporations. However, the Government encourages British companies to show respect for human rights in their operations in the UK and internationally.
In September 2013, we launched the UK Action Plan based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This is voluntary guidance which British businesses can consult on doing business in Israel and OPTs, but ultimately it is the decision of an individual or company concerned.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Powell on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 26W, on nurseries, for what reasons his Department is reviewing provision of workplace nurseries; when that review will be complete; how many families access his Department’s workplace nursery provision; how much workplace nursery provision by his Department costs each year; and whether his Department claims tax relief on workplace nurseries.
Mike Penning
There are currently seven workplace nurseries in operation, by third parties, on DWP premises.
The Department’s current contracts with its nursery providers are soon expiring. Therefore, it is appropriate to review future nursery provision in general and consider whether it is appropriate and cost effective to continue to contract for on site services.
In addition, as part of its remuneration package, the Department supports employees through a salary sacrifice scheme where employees can give up part of their salary in return for childcare vouchers, which allows for significant savings through tax relief. This gives parents support in order to make their own choices for childcare. Consequently, as suitable alternatives exist, it is no longer appropriate to continue to contract for workplace nursery provision.
There are currently 361 families who access DWP’s workplace nurseries.
The cost of nursery provision:
2013/14 YTD (Feb): £29,112
2012/13: £50,693
2011/12: £80,811
2010/11: £88,494
The Department doesn’t claim tax relief on workplace nurseries
No information is held on Executive agencies and non-departmental bodies. There would be a disproportionate cost to source that information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Fuller on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many complaints the Government has received on the England and Wales personal insolvency regime in relation to (a) bankruptcy, (b) individual voluntary arrangements and (c) debt relief orders in each year since 2010; and what the nature was of such complaints.
Jenny Willott
The Insolvency Service (Agency) does not hold records that categorise complaints in this way for 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12. The Agency’s records are held in relation to complaints received in respect of the official receiver’s administration of bankruptcies and debt relief orders (DROs) from 2012/13 onwards.
Since June 2013, following introduction of the Insolvency Practitioner Complaints Gateway, the Agency has maintained records of complaints made against Insolvency Practitioners (IPs) and their administration of individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) and Trust Deeds (a Scottish equivalent of IVAs) – no records are held for IVAs alone.
The following table summarises complaint numbers in respect of the official receiver or IP’s administration of bankruptcies, IVA/ Trust Deeds and DROs.
|
Year |
Bankruptcy |
IVA & Trust Deeds |
Debt relief orders |
|
2012/13 |
193 |
– |
0 |
|
2013/14 |
154 |
183 |
7 |
Records detailing the nature of complaints received in relation to the official receiver’s administration of bankruptcy and DRO cases have only been held since 2013/14. The complaints are categorised as follows:
Delay in taking action;
Delay in replying to correspondence;
Delay in returning telephone calls;
Personal conduct (of a member of staff);
Misleading/ incorrect information;
Failure to inform/ reply;
Failure to act;
Incorrect action; and
Quality of service by 3rd party acting for the Agency.
The nature of complaints received in respect of an IP’s administration of IVAs are categorised as follows:
Complainant not receiving a completion certificate;
IP’s failure to deal with correspondence;
Complainant disputing payment protection insurance compensation is asset in IVA;
Complainant believes they were given poor advice; and
IP failed to deal with an IVA/ Trust Deed in a timely way.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 2014-04-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they are making in hosting Syrian refugees.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
The first group of Syrian refugees arrived in the UK on 25 March as part of the Government’s Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) Scheme. The next group of refugees is expected to arrive this month, with further groups to follow on a regular basis. We continue to work with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to establish a steady flow of cases.
Whilst there is no set quota, we predict that the VPR scheme will support several hundred people over the next three years.
A number of local authorities have indicated that they would like to participate in the scheme, and we are in discussions with other local authorities who have expressed an interest.