The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Illustrious will return from its current deployment.
Mr Mark Francois
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is currently participating in Exercise Deep Blue, an anti-submarine exercise in the Western Approaches. I am withholding details of its future programme and dates as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many men in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire died from advanced prostate cancer in 2012.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Luff on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of progress 8 performance measures since their introduction in secondary schools.
Mr David Laws
Progress 8 will be the headline secondary school performance measure from 2016. This will be based on qualifications which schools will begin teaching in the autumn term of 2014. The new performance measures aim to encourage schools to offer a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils.
More schools than ever are entering pupils for the English Baccalaureate, which encourages the study of science, a language and a humanities subject alongside maths and English.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Dobbin on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that the provisions of EU law in relation to the freedom to provide services apply to the provision of services from Gibraltar to any part of the EU.
Mr David Lidington
Gibraltar is in the EU and is covered by EU treaty provisions on the freedom to provide services. We vigorously support all of Gibraltar’s rights under the EU Treaties.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which organisations involved in reporting hate crime his Department has funded in each financial year since May 2010.
Stephen Williams
DCLG supports a series of organisations who tackle hatred in all its forms. Reporting forms only one part of this, complementing the work of organisations such as the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Show Racism the Red Card and the Anne Frank Trust who DCLG support to tackle hate crime.
DCLG has provided funding to the following organisations that report hate crime.
|
Organisation |
Financial Year |
Amount of Funding |
|
Tell MAMA |
2011-12 |
£91,567 |
|
2012-13 |
£223,517 |
|
|
2013-14 |
£80,457 |
|
|
True Vision |
2012-13 |
£75,000 |
|
2013-14 |
£25,000 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place in the Library the terms of reference of the independent medal review by Sir John Holmes; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Francis Maude
I refer the hon. Member to the my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s statements on 30 April 2012, (Official Report), Column Ref: 55WS and 17 July 2012 (Official Report) Column Ref 132WS.
An announcement will be made once the full set of reviews is complete and has been approvedin the usual way.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Murphy on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to support the proposed target to end HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030 in the upcoming Open Working Group negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Justine Greening
The UK supports a target to reduce the burden of disease from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. Language on this 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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the drug pembrolizumab will be available on the NHS for treatment of skin cancer.
Norman Lamb
The manufacturer of pembrolizumab, Merck, has not yet filed an application for a marketing authorisation for use in the European Union.
Hospital doctors can arrange for the supply of any drug or other substance, even one not normally available on National Health Service prescription, provided the patient’s commissioner agrees to supply it at NHS expense. The doctor would, in those circumstances, have to retain clinical responsibility for the patient while prescribing the drug in question.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of local authorities have had their core strategy approved to date; and how many such strategies were approved on the first submission.
Nick Boles
Our streamlined National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages areas to get up-to-date Local Plans in place, and we have been actively supporting councils in doing so. Local Plans set the framework for planning decisions, whether locally or at appeal, and put councils in the best place to decide development in their area.
As of 30 May 2014, 54% of local authorities have adopted a core strategy. 77% have at least reached publication stage. In May 2010, only 17% of local authorities had adopted a core strategy.
The examination process tests the submitted plan to ensure that it is sound. Following the Localism Act 2011, independent Planning Inspectors report to the local authority and identify any conflicts between the submitted plan and national policy and regulatory process. Councils are able to suggest their own modifications for assessment by the Inspector during the examination, as well as making minor non-material changes themselves. They can also ask the Inspector to recommend changes. The council is then free to choose to accept the Inspector’s recommendations and adopt the plan, or resubmit a new plan.
This approach is aimed at encouraging a more collaborative process as the public examination proceeds. We have encouraged Inspectors to be pragmatic in making recommendations that will allow early adoption of sound plans which meet national policy requirements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Williamson on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make representations to the Sentencing Council requesting it to ensure that the strictest possible sentences are given to fly-tippers.
Jeremy Wright
The Government is concerned by the damage to the environment that fly-tipping and other unlawful deposits of waste can cause. That is why it we have provided law enforcement agencies and the courts with powers to deal with such offending.
In regard to sentencing, the independent Sentencing Council conducted a consultation on environmental offences in 2013 and has issued a sentencing guideline for environmental offences which will take effect on 1 July 2014. Judges and magistrates are required to follow the guidelines unless it would not be in the interests of justice to do so.