The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit budgeting advances were made between April 2013 and April 2014.
Esther McVey
Budgeting support is available at the start of a Universal Credit claim. The requested information is not currently available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions officials in his Department have had with High Speed UK about alternatives to High Speed 2.
Mr Robert Goodwill
We are not aware of any request from High Speed UK for a discussion with officials in the Department engaged on HS2, nor of any such discussions having taken place. We are, however, aware that High Speed UK have responded to consultations on issues related to HS2.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people were convicted of causing death by (a) careless and (b) dangerous driving in the last year for which figures are available; and what the average sentence was for each offence.
Jeremy Wright
Severe maximum penalties, of 14 years imprisonment, are available for those who cause death through dangerous driving or under the influence of drink or drugs and statistics show that the overwhelming majority of those convicted for these offences receive lengthy custodial sentences. The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving is 5 years imprisonment and for causing death by disqualified, unlicensed or uninsured driving is two years imprisonment. We are keeping the law in this area under review. If any further changes are needed, we will bring forward proposals.
The Justice Secretary made an announcement on 6 May about our plans to strengthen the law in relation to disqualified drivers who cause death or serious injury; increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by disqualified driving to 10 years and introducing a new offence of causing serious injury by disqualified driving, with a maximum penalty of 4 years.
The number of offenders found guilty and sentenced to an immediate custody at all courts and the average custodial sentence length (months) for ‘careless’ and ‘dangerous’ driving in England and Wales from 2008 to 2012 (latest available data) can be viewed in the table.
Court proceedings data for 2013 are planned for publication in May 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alun Cairns on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of EU proposals to remove the right for network operators to block 18-plus content.
Mr Edward Vaizey
We are aware that there some concerns that the European Parliament’s amendments to the draft Connected Continent regulation may restrict ISPs ability to block illegal content or to filter adult content at the request of customers. The UK Government supports the aims of the Connect Continent package, but let me clear that we will not agree to any proposals that restrict the ability of parents to protect their children from inappropriate content on line. We are confident that this was not the intention of the European Parliament and we are working with EU Member States, the European Commission and the European Parliament to deliver a final package that promotes an open, safe and secure internet.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of levels of satisfaction with Cafcass among younger children who do not complete formal feedback forms.
Simon Hughes
While complaints made to Cafcass by children and young people are monitored nationally, it collects, monitors and acts on feedback at a local level. Cafcass has commissioned the Family Justice Young People’s Board to review how children and young people provide feedback to Cafcass and advise on ways to encourage more feedback both via formal and informal routes. Cafcass now has various methods of obtaining feedback from the children and young people it works with which include more formal methods such as feedback forms and more informal and child-friendly methods such as ‘feedback trees’. Feedback trees encourage children to write out or draw their feelings on how Cafcass has worked with them, allowing Cafcass practitioners to build on this feedback. There is no central or national monitoring of this informal feedback.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Evans on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the level of trade undertaken by businesses in Wales with countries in the EU.
Mr David Jones
I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer I gave to the members for Delyn, Cardiff West and Ogmore earlier today.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the net benefits to people in Wales of the UK’s membership of the EU.
Mr David Jones
I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer I gave to the members for Delyn, Cardiff West and Ogmore earlier today.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Mactaggart on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what consular assistance has been given to Mr Hasnain Ali during his trial in United Arab Emirates.
Hugh Robertson
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and our Embassy in Dubai have provided full consular assistance to Mr Hasnain Ali since we were informed of his detention, and throughout his trial. This has included regular prison visits by Consular Officials, assisting family members to visit and attending court hearings. On 15 April 2014, Mr Hasnain Ali was found innocent and his court case concluded. Consular officials are providing ongoing assistance as Mr Hasnain Ali prepares to leave Dubai.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on whether the government of Burma plans to open a country office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in that country.
Mr Hugo Swire
It has been over 18 months since President Thein Sein committed to opening an in-country Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This would allow for more constructive relations between the international community and the Government on human rights. Most recently, the British Ambassador raised the issue with the Burmese Foreign Minister on 31 March. We continue to call on the Government to publish a timeline for the opening of the Office, with a mandate that includes monitoring and technical assistance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the next UK-China human rights dialogue to take place.
Mr Hugo Swire
We consider the Human Rights Dialogue to be an important part of our bilateral relationship with China. We are working with the Chinese government to reschedule the dialogue as soon as possible.