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  • Mr Adrian Sanders – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Mr Adrian Sanders – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Adrian Sanders on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what compensation will be available to train operating companies as a result of the rail line closures in the South West of England in early 2014.

    Stephen Hammond

    Any compensation for the train operators in respect of the rail line closures in the South West of England in early 2014 would be paid by Network Rail in accordance with the track access agreement between Network Rail and the individual train operating companies, as regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation.

  • Mr Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Mr Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Frank Field on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the number of schools that undertake cycling training; whether his Department provides information to schools on the wearing of cycle helmets by children; and if he will take steps to ensure that a Travel to School Policy becomes compulsory for all local education authorities in relation to schoolchildren and safety.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Department for Transport provides funding for the delivery of Bikeability cycle training in England. Currently approximately 8,177 schools take part in training delivered by either their Local Highway Authority or School Games Organiser Host School.

    Bikeability courses include discussions on helmets during the equipment check. Those wearing helmets are taught how to fit and adjust them correctly and there are also wider discussions on safety equipment and what to wear.

    The Department for Education expects local authorities to meet its Home to School Transport Duties which includes ensuring safe walking routes and sustainable local travel. There are no plans to change the legislation or the policies that underpin this.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to review the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.

    Stephen Hammond

    The Secretary of State has an approval role under the Ticketing & Settlement Agreement for changes to the National Rail Conditions of Carriage. The Association of Train Operating Companies is responsible for the management of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage and it is for them to propose changes to the Secretary of State for approval.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.

    Stephen Hammond

    I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given by my Right Honourable Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Francis Maude) on 26 March 2014 [Official Report, Column 300W].

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.

    David Mundell

    I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer given by my Rt hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General on 26 March, Official Report, Column 300W.

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Andrew Rosindell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with members of the US Administration on recent developments in Northern Ireland.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    I and officials in the NIO have remained in close contact with the US Administration on Northern Ireland matters such as the discussions to make progress on flags, parades and dealing with the past.

    I have also discussed with representatives of the US Government the importance of rebalancing the economy and building a genuinely shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland. I am grateful for all their support for a better future for Northern Ireland.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what her Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer given by my Rt hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General on 26 March, Official Report, Column 300W.

  • Huw Irranca-Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Huw Irranca-Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Huw Irranca-Davies on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason the rules governing the provision of books to prisoners have recently been changed.

    Jeremy Wright

    Up to 12 books may be held by prisoners in their cell at any one time. Prisoners may have additional books stored locally at the prison. Every prison has a library, to which every prisoner has access.

    Ministers have not made any policy changes specifically about the availability of books in prisons. The changes to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework we introduced last year in relation to parcels were introduced to ensure consistency across the estate and to make sure that security can be maintained. There have always been controls on the sending of parcels into prisons, and allowing parcels to be sent in unrestricted would be operationally unmanageable and would lead to a significant risk of drugs and other illicit items being smuggled into prisons.

    The National Offender Management Service works closely with the Shannon Trust to support schemes such as ‘Toe by Toe’, which includes peer mentoring to improve reading levels.

  • Mr David Blunkett – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Mr David Blunkett – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr David Blunkett on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what restrictions, by category of prisoner, are placed on access to (a) a prisoner’s own books and (b) books from the prison library in the first four weeks of a prison sentence.

    Jeremy Wright

    Up to 12 books may be held by prisoners in their cell at any one time. Prisoners may have additional books stored locally at the prison. Every prison has a library, to which every prisoner has access.

    Access to books is not determined by category of prisoner and nor does it differ for those in the first four weeks of their sentence.

  • Sarah Teather – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Sarah Teather – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Teather on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his plans are for HMP The Verne.

    Jeremy Wright

    HM Prison The Verne started taking immigration detainees as scheduled from 24 March 2014. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will retain The Verne as a prison in the short term but its population will comprise immigration detainees as planned with the Home Office.

    NOMS intends to review the designation of The Verne later this year, with the intention of completing the re-designation to an immigration removal centre by the end of September 2014.

    All foreign national offenders (FNOs) sentenced to custody are referred to the Home Office for them to consider deportation at the earliest possible opportunity.

    The Ministry of Justice and the Home Office are committed to working together to expedite the removal of foreign criminals. NOMS will always supply sufficient prison places for those committed by the courts.