The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Hollinrake on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department plans to reform the reimbursement of antibiotics.
Jane Ellison
Departmental officials are in discussion with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry regarding pricing and reimbursement models for antibiotics.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Wragg on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect on demand for GP surgery places of immigration (a) in general and (b) from nationals of other EEA countries in each of the last 10 years.
Alistair Burt
Since 2013, it is been the responsibility of NHS England to determine the provision of National Health Service primary medical services. NHS England does not collect registration information in relation to immigration, nationality or European Economic Area status.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lisa Cameron on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the next set of National Diet and Nutrition Service data will be published.
Jane Ellison
The next report of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, covering data collected over two years from 2012-13 to 2013-14 for the United Kingdom as a whole, is in preparation and is expected to be published in late 2016. The report is an Official Statistic and the publication date will be pre-announced in advance in accordance with the Official Statistics Code of Practice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jon Trickett on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will bring forward proposals to introduce a national heart condition screening programme using a minor non-intrusive test for all young people between the ages of 14 to 35.
Jane Ellison
The UK National Screening Committee reviewed the evidence for screening for the major causes of sudden cardiac death in young people between the ages of 12 to 39 in 2015 and recommended that screening should not be offered. The Committee is scheduled to review the evidence again in 2018-19, and will only consider bringing this forward if significant new peer reviewed evidence emerges.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lisa Cameron on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assistance the Government has provided to the Nigerian government in the search for the Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped in April 2014.
James Duddridge
In response to the abduction of the Chibok girls the UK, together with the US and France, provided a range of military and intelligence support to help the Nigerian government in their search for the missing girls, and to address the long-term challenges of terrorism.
Since 2014 the UK has significantly increased our military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria. This includes training and advice for Nigerian units deploying against Boko Haram. Last year almost 1000 Nigerian military personnel benefited from UK training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in the north east. We have also provided £5million to support the Multinational Joint Task Force set up by Nigeria and its neighbours to tackle the insurgents. Through our development assistance, the UK supports the Government of Nigeria’s Safe Schools Initiative which has helped over 90,000 displaced children to return to school and we have increased our humanitarian support to help deliver food, water and emergency healthcare to those affected by the conflict.
We remain fully committed to supporting Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram and to help find all those who are missing, including the Chibok girls.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alasdair McDonnell on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the governments of (a) Egypt, (b) Saudi Arabia and (c) United Arab Emirates on the removal of restrictions on press freedom in these countries and the Middle East.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We regularly raise our concerns over press freedoms with the Egyptian authorities both in London and in Cairo. The Prime Minister raised the detention of journalists including the trial of the Al Jazeera journalists with President Sisi during his visit to the UK in November 2015. I raised press freedoms and freedom of expression with the Egyptian Ambassador earlier this month.
We also regularly make our views on freedom of expression known to the Saudi Arabian Government. We continue to underline to the UAE that people must be allowed to freely discuss and debate issues and exercise the right to freedom of thought. We believe that reforms, including meeting citizens’ aspirations for greater participation, will be the guarantor of longer-term stability in the region.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cat Smith on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his US counterpart on LGBT rights in North Carolina and Mississippi.
Mr Hugo Swire
Our Consul General in Atlanta raised our concerns with the North Carolina Commerce Secretary on 19 April. We have amended our Travel Advice for the United States to reflect legislative changes on LGBT rights in North Carolina and Mississippi . This Government is opposed to all forms of discrimination. We are committed to ensuring that all LGBT people are free to live their lives in a safe and just environment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the government of Iran on the imprisonment of Kamal Foroughi and Roya Nobakht.
Mr Philip Hammond
We regularly raise our dual national consular cases with the Iranian authorities at the highest possible levels. Most recently senior FCO officials raised these cases with the Iranian Chargé d’ Affaires in London on 13 April. I also raised these cases directly with the Chief of Staff to the Iranian President on 10 March and with Foreign Minister Zarif on 5 Feb during their trips to London.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the government of Israel on the planned demolition of the Bedouin villages of Susiya and Um Al Hiran.
Mr Philip Hammond
Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised UK concerns with the Israeli Government on the issue of demolitions. Demolitions of Palestinian villages not only inflict unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, but are harmful to the peace process and in all but the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. In regards to demolitions of Bedouin villages in green-line Israel such as Umm al-Hiran, any resolution should be consistent with Israel’s commitments under international law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Smith on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the budget is for food produced for her Department’s offices at Smith Square, London; and what proportion of food produced for her Department was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.
George Eustice
Defra does not set a budget for food served in the canteen at its Smith Square offices (Nobel House). Catering services are provided by a private company under contract to Defra which leases facilities in Nobel House and provides food to staff without subsidy. Spending on food is determined by the contractor based on sales receipts from Defra staff.
Defra has worked with its current supplier to align the existing contract with the requirements of the balanced scorecard.
The amount of food sourced from British producers for Nobel House was 56% (Jan-Mar 2016). This figure includes non-indigenous products; including drinks such as tea and coffee. It marks, overall, an improvement of 4% over the previous quarter. Furthermore, all meat, milk and yoghurt served in Nobel House is produced in the UK.