The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison McGovern on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of fresh produce supplied to the NHS through NHS supply chain contracts in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 was produced in the UK.
Dr Daniel Poulter
NHS Supply Chain estimate that the proportion of fresh produce supplied to the National Health Service through NHS Supply Chain contracts in both 2013 and 2014 that was United Kingdom country of origin was 73%.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his Department’s report, Hepatitis C in the UK, published in July 2014, what steps he is taking to approve for use new treatments for people with hepatitis C-related liver damage.
George Freeman
The Government is committed to ensuring that patients have access to clinically and cost effective treatments, including those for hepatitis C.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for providing advice to the National Health Service on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies.
NICE is currently appraising a number of new drugs for use in the treatment of hepatitis C under its technology appraisal process. These are shown in the following table.
|
Drug/indication |
Expected date of final guidance |
|
sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) for treating chronic hepatitis C |
February 2015 |
|
simeprevir (Olysio) for treating genotype 1 or 4 chronic hepatitis C |
February 2015 |
|
ledipasvir-sofosbuvir (Harvoni) for treating chronic hepatitis C |
June 2015 |
|
daclatasvir (Daklinza) for treating chronic hepatitis C |
August 2015 |
|
ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Viekirax) with or without dasabuvir (Exviera) for treating chronic hepatitis C |
September 2015 |
More generally, we have launched an Innovative Medicines and Medical Technology Review of the pathways for the development, assessment, and adoption of innovative medicines and medical technology. This review will consider how to speed up access for NHS patients to cost-effective new diagnostics, medicines and devices.
The review will examine the pathway from ‘first in human’ trials, through licensing and health technology appraisal, to commissioning and clinical practice. It will set out both short and long-term options for action by Government and relevant bodies, including NICE, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and NHS England, and mark a major contribution to the policy debate.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on ratification of the EU-Central America Association Agreement; when he expects the UK to ratify the agreement; and when the two remaining pillars will be applied.
Mr Hugo Swire
We strongly support the EU-Central American Association Agreement, which was signed in 2012. The Agreement supports our policy objectives for Central America via three important pillars of political dialogue, development cooperation and trade. We believe that these are the right tools to support economic growth, democracy and political stability in Central America and the UK has supported the Agreement’s progress through its negotiation, signature and conclusion stages.
The trade pillar of the Association Agreement has been provisionally applied since 2013. The two remaining pillars will be applied as soon as the remaining EU Member States ratify. I have not had any recent discussions with my EU counterparts on this issue. However, I have recently discussed the Agreement with a number of Ambassadors to the UK from Central American countries and have had the occasion to discuss it while visiting the region – most recently on my visits to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama last year. The preparatory work prior to ratification is ongoing. The next stage will be to seek parliamentary approval for a draft Order in Council that will specify the Association Agreement as an EU treaty. I expect a draft Order to be laid early in the next Parliament.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Williams on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has received an invitation to the Crans Montana Forum in Dakhla, occupied Western Sahara; whether he plans to send a representative to that forum; and what reports he has received on the African Union’s call for that forum to be cancelled.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
I have not received an invitation to this forum and I do not plan to send a representative. I am aware of reports that the African Union has called for the forum to be cancelled.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of progress in the demilitarisation of Gaza.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We have not made a formal assessment of demilitarisation of Gaza.
We have been clear that we believe that a durable ceasefire agreement should ensure that: Hamas and other militant groups permanently end rocket fire and other attacks against Israel and that all terrorist groups in Gaza should disarm.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, want his policy is on promoting the demilitarisation of Gaza.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The organisations involved in the process of clearing home-owners’ applications to the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM) are the UN agencies doing the damage assessment, the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Public Works and Housing and Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Government of Israel.
No individuals have been rejected to date, but a number of the assessments submitted require review ahead of further processing. These were mostly caused by repetition of names of individuals or where the assessments were recorded under the names of owners who are deceased for example. The GRM does not allow for the disqualification of individuals assessed for shelter repair on grounds of political association or geographic location in Gaza.
The Government of Israel, like all participants in the mechanism, is able to object to individuals participating in the GRM.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library the protocols, memorandum of understanding and any other documents relating to the UK-Colombia defence relationship.
Mr Hugo Swire
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) to the Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Mr Flello) on 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 168W.
Pursuant to this, the Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Colombian Ministry of Defence was placed in the House of Commons Library on 4 February 2014 by the Ministry of Defence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the UK’s programme of counter-narcotics assistance to Colombia; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Hugo Swire
We receive regular updates on our ongoing programme of support to Colombia in the area of counter-narcotics. However, we do not release detailed information as to do so would risk undermining operational effectiveness and could prejudice the capability or security of those undertaking operations. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, National Crime Agency and Ministry of Defence are in regular dialogue to ensure this activity is in line with our international obligations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what humanitarian aid is being provided to civilians in Ukraine caught up in the conflict in that country.
Justine Greening
In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine the UK Government has so far committed £16.4 million of bilateral humanitarian support in Ukraine. In addition, the UK’s share of multilateral contributions through the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) and the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). stands at £4.35 million.
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-02-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which organisations his Department consulted on the projects proposed by the Government’s submission to the European Commission’s Special Task Force on investment in the EU.
Mr David Gauke
HM Treasury consulted with the Departments for Business Innovation and Skills; Communities and Local Government; Culture, Media and Sport; Energy and Climate Change; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Transport; the Cabinet Office and the Devolved Administrations on the Government’s submission to European Commission’s Special Task Force. The approach to the projects list was agreed by the members of the European Affairs Committee.