The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what investigations were undertaken into the deaths in training of armed forces recruits aged under 18 years in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
Anna Soubry
There have been no deaths in training of Armed Forces recruits under the age of 18 in the last three years, and therefore no such investigations have taken place.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which (a) Sri Lankan government representatives and (b) Sri Lankan non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations (i) were invited to and (ii) attended the Global summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Mr Hugo Swire
The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict that the Foreign Secretary is co-hosting with the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 10-13 June 2014 will turn the political commitments contained in the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict into practical action. All governments that have endorsed the declaration have been invited. We have invited the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to London to attend as an observer, as Sri Lanka has not yet endorsed the Declaration. We have invited a range of Sri Lankan civil society representatives and hope that their expertise of the situation on the ground will contribute to the discussion of the issues at hand.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vehicles have been found to be in breach of rules about tinted windows in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Lancashire in each of the last five years.
Stephen Hammond
The Department has information broken down relating to the enforcement by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for the most recent year. The following prohibitions were found in the year to March 2014, a) 710 in England, b) 62 in the North West and c) 37 in Lancashire. National totals for the previous 4 years were, 2013 – 720, 2012 – 663, 2011 – 1617, 2010 – 2364. The Department does not have the Police data for this offence at this time. Enforcement of Construction and Use regulations is a matter for both DVSA and the police.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he or officials in his Department have had with counterparts in the Royal Canadian Navy or the US Navy on personnel of those navies undertaking conversion training at HMS Sultan to fill current vacancies in suitably qualified and experienced personnel positions.
Anna Soubry
There have been no such discussions with the Royal Canadian Navy or the United States Navy. However, we work closely with many nations and provide opportunities for their personnel to serve with the Royal Navy through a range of schemes including exchange and liaison postings.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Annette Brooke on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will issue guidance on the safe use of bicycle trailers to provide a minimum level of safety for children being towed by bicycles on the roads.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Department has no current plans to issue guidance on the safe use of trailers on bicycles. However children should be transported safely and securely and trailers should be in a roadworthy condition before being used on the highway.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current average waiting time is for personal independence payment assessments to be completed and a decision made in (a) England and (b) Leeds.
Mike Penning
The information you have requested is not currently available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-06-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress he has made on reinstating the Northern Ireland Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme.
Nicky Morgan
In January and February of this year, the government received two sets of follow up questions from the European Commission as part of their formal investigation into the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme. Treasury officials worked closely with members of the industry and the authorities in Northern Ireland and have submitted further evidence in response to the questions posed.
Whilst a new relief scheme cannot be considered until the investigation concludes, the government remains fully committed to reinstating an aggregates levy credit scheme in Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent on legal costs incurred appealing against decisions by the Information Commissioner requiring the release of information about the universal credit programme since 2011.
Esther McVey
The Department’s records relating to legal costs do not distinguish between actions which the Department has brought and actions which it has defended or the stage of legal proceedings in respect of which each invoice for legal representation is paid. Disaggregating the data would take the costs of responding to the question over the disproportionate cost threshold.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with manufacturers of fruit juice about a reduction of levels of sugar in their products.
Jane Ellison
Eight businesses have signed up to the Responsibility Deal to reduce calories, including added sugar, in the soft drinks they produce and retail. Ministers and officials are continuing to engage with soft drinks businesses to encourage greater sign up to the calorie reduction pledge. The school food standards severely restrict the provision of foods and drinks that are high in sugar in schools.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many investigations of allegations of (a) rape, (b) sexual assault and (c) domestic violence where the alleged offending took place in the UK were investigated by the Royal Military Police in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.
Anna Soubry
The table below shows the number of recorded investigations by the Royal Military Police for rape, sexual assault and domestic violence where the alleged offending took place in the UK in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.
| Year | Rape | Sexual Assault |
| 2010 | ~ | 25 |
| 2011 | 5 | 20 |
| 2012 | 5 | 15 |
The figures have been rounded to the nearest five. The figure “~” represents a sample of less than five. The specific figure has not been disclosed to ensure that the alleged victim(s) cannot be identified. This is in line with the Sexual Offences (Amendments) Act 1976 and 1992.
Because of the way domestic violence statistics are recorded it is taking some time to collate the information. I will write to the hon. Member with an answer shortly.
The Royal Military Police is the Army’s police force and together with its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force counterparts, are collectively known as the Service Police. Under Home Office Circular 028/2008, which defines investigative jurisdiction in the UK, primacy generally rests with the civilian police, although the Service Police may take the lead in an investigation if both the suspect and the victim in a particular case are serving members of the Armed Forces.