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  • Tom Greatrex – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Tom Greatrex – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Greatrex on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the conclusions of the Orion Innovations report entitled Merits of UK Coal State Aid Application, submitted to his Department on 9 May 2014.

    Michael Fallon

    I asked officials to review the report and discuss it with the author. This included a discussion on the background to the report and an explanation from Orion of the methodology and conclusions made in the report. Furthermore, they questioned the detail of the analysis, the robustness of the assumptions and areas for further development. Their conclusions are that the report is a high level analysis of the key issues and that it would require significant further work, diligence and validation of assumptions and contingency. It also requires enhancements to methodology, for example, to model the phasing of cash flows and include time value of money considerations and appropriate returns to capital. Orion has noted that the work was completed on a short timeframe and that they would be open to carrying out further work if a mandate could be agreed. On this basis, it is not possible to draw conclusions sufficient to inform any investment decision.

  • Gareth Thomas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Gareth Thomas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the costs of treatment of UK nationals in each other European Economic Area country in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13 and (d) 2013-14; and if he will make a statement.

    Jane Ellison

    The following information is not held by the Department:

    – income health trusts in each region or nation of the United Kingdom received for the cost of treating European Economic Area (EEA) nationals;

    – income each NHS trust in each region of England claimed back for the cost of treating EEA nationals;

    – the number of EEA nationals who received NHS treatment;

    – the cost of treating EEA nationals who received NHS treatment in each region of the UK.

    Claims to and from EEA countries are managed centrally by the Department on behalf of the whole of the UK. Income claimed from EEA countries is based on both data collected from trusts and arrangements in place with other EEA countries under bilateral agreements.

    The Department does hold information on claims to the UK from other EEA countries for healthcare costs. However, claims to the UK from other EEA countries are not based on nationality – they are based on whether the UK is judged to be responsible for someone’s healthcare costs, for example due to residency in the UK or, for state pensioners, someone with a UK state pension who has retired to a different EEA country. It is therefore not possible to provide a breakdown of costs based on UK nationality.

  • Jim Murphy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Jim Murphy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Murphy on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to support the adoption of a target to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, with particular attention to the most marginalised and people in vulnerable situations in the Open Working Group negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Justine Greening

    The UK supports the inclusion of ensuring universal health coverage as a target under an outcome-focused health goal. By definition, universal health coverage includes financial risk protection. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.

    The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.

  • Jim Sheridan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Jim Sheridan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Sheridan on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with (a) UK-based companies and (b) companies selling products in the UK about the effect of their sourcing practices on small-scale farmers in developing countries.

    Lynne Featherstone

    We regularly have discussions with UK based companies about a range of issues including supply chains and how they can improve development impacts.

  • Michael Fabricant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Michael Fabricant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons NHS England has refused to proceed with the proposed new health centre for Burntwood in Staffordshire; and if he will make a statement.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    NHS England is responsible for deciding on the funding given to general practitioner (GP) practices to reimburse them for their premises costs.

    We are advised that capital development schemes that had not been formally approved by former primary care trust boards by 1 October 2012 have been reviewed by NHS England. This includes the Burntwood Leisure Centre development. NHS England concluded, following assessment, that the scheme did not meet the requirements for prioritisation, and it was therefore not approved. These requirements include, but not exhaustively, service continuity, affordability and value for money.It was noted that the project had not received an unequivocally clear commitment from a number of the potential occupiers of the Centre.

    We understand from NHS England that discussions are ongoing regarding alternative schemes to replace the Burntwood Leisure Centre development. NHS England continues to work with the GPs and other partners.

    My hon. Friend may wish to approach the NHS England Shropshire and Staffordshire Area Team for further information.

  • Douglas Alexander – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Douglas Alexander – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Alexander on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the remaining states who have not yet ratified the Arms Trade Treaty do so.

    Mr William Hague

    We will work to encourage states to sign and to ratify, in order to reach the 50 ratifications that are required to bring the Treaty into force. Like the negotiations on the Treaty itself, this will take time and require the considerable efforts and persistence of a broad coalition of supporters.

    The UK has allocated £350,000 to support projects that will help countries to sign, ratify and implement the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). We are working through the UN and EU with countries that require technical assistance and advice on how to implement certain aspects of the Treaty e.g. enforcement training and framing legislation correctly. Other activities include raising awareness with key partners in regions such as West Africa, where communities are seriously affected by the illicit trade in Small Arms.

    This year, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s counter-proliferation programme, we will be funding a series of ATT-related projects specifically focused on ATT signature, ratification, implementation and early entry into force.

  • Angus Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Angus Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many current suitably qualified and experienced personnel positions are (a) required and (b) vacant in (i) Type 23 and (ii) Type 45 ship crews.

    Anna Soubry

    The information requested, as at 1 May 2014, is shown in the table:

    Required Positions Vacant Positions
    Type 23 2,060 180
    Type 45 1.010 80

    Note: All figures are rounded in accordance with the Defence Statistics rounding policy. All numbers over 100 are rounded to the nearest 10 with numbers ending in 5 rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to avoid bias. Numbers under 100 are rounded to the nearest 5.

    None of the existing vacancies is in a post categorised as safety critical and no ship would go to sea without the minimum required complement of suitably qualified and experienced personnel.

  • Andrew Stephenson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andrew Stephenson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of how many adults in (a) East Lancashire, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West exercised for at least 30 minutes a week during the most recent period for which figures are available.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department has made no such estimate. However, the Active People Survey commissioned by Sport England measures the proportion of adults (aged 16 and over) who undertake some form of physical activity at moderate intensity (or higher). Data from the most recent survey can be found in the following table.

    Active People Survey (APS) data, 2012

    Proportion of the adult population (age 16 years and over) participating in 30 or more equivalent minutes of moderate activity per week.

    Area

    30+ minutes

    England

    71.5%

    North West Region

    68.8%

    Lancashire County

    69.6%

    Blackburn with Darwen UA

    63.1%

    Blackpool UA

    65.1%

    Burnley

    65.0%

    Chorley

    75.3%

    Fylde

    68.0%

    Hyndburn

    63.7%

    Lancaster

    74.4%

    Pendle

    66.1%

    Preston

    69.3%

    Ribble Valley

    74.1%

    Rossendale

    66.8%

    South Ribble

    69.5%

    West Lancashire

    73.3%

    Wyre

    65.6%

    Source: Active People Survey, Sport England

    Notes:

    1. The data were collected between January 2012 to January 2013 (APS6 Quarter 2 to APS7 Quarter 1).
    2. The APS is commissioned by Sport England and measures the proportion of adults (aged 16 and over) participating in sport and/or undertaking some form of physical activity at moderate intensity (or higher).
    3. The survey uses a 28-day reference period to record the number of minutes of physical activity (of at least 10 minutes) and then divides the number of minutes by four to come up with a weekly average (e.g. two hours of physical activity over the 28 days equates to 30 minutes per week). Number of minutes presented is the equivalent minutes of moderate activity, which consists of moderate activity plus double the number of vigorous minutes of activity.
    4. The activities included in the APS are; sport, recreational cycling and walking, walking and cycling for active travel purposes, dance and gardening.
    5. The percentages are weighted to adjust the results so that they are representative of the whole population at local authority, regional and national level.
    6. Further information and data are available at these websites:

    www.noo.org.uk/data_sources/physical_activity/activepeople

    www.sportengland.org/research/active_people_survey.aspx

  • Peter Luff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Peter Luff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Luff on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have (a) merged design and technology with art and design and (b) removed design and technology from their curriculum since 2010.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The Department does not collect nor hold the data requested.

  • Gordon Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Gordon Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Brown on 2014-06-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the reason is for the time taken for his Department to publish COMPARE’s report on radium contamination at Dalgety Bay.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department has been engaged with the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment throughout the production of its report on Dalgety Bay, andour priority throughout has been to make sure that it is comprehensive, accurate and up to date.

    During this process information was provided to the Committee for due consideration prior to final publication.