The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Prime Minister, what special advisers have (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully sought his permission to work on a EU referendum campaign.
Mr David Cameron
The arrangements for special advisers who wish to work for a campaign are set out in the Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 23 February. It is not appropriate to publish personal data about individual special advisers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the implications of a decision to leave the EU on provisions in the Scotland Act 1988 requiring compliance with EU law.
David Mundell
At the February European Council the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government’s view is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effects on children and families of the parental orders procedure following surrogacy arrangements.
Caroline Dinenage
The Government has made no such assessment. Parental orders provide a mechanism to enable a couple who have entered into a surrogacy arrangement to become that child’s legal parents. There is no obligation to obtain a parental order but a couple who commission a surrogacy arrangement are advised and encouraged to do so in order to achieve a recognisable transfer of parenthood in the UK. In deciding whether to exercise its discretion and award a Parental order, the court has regard to all the facts of the case and the overriding importance of the welfare of the child throughout their life.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to Surrogacy in the UK: Myth Busting and Reform, published in November 2015, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reform the law governing surrogacy to better balance the rights of those involved and the welfare of children born via surrogacy.
Jane Ellison
A search of the Department’s central correspondence system shows that the Department received 22 representations that made direct or indirect reference to the report `Surrogacy in the UK: Myth Busting and Reform’ since it was published in November 2015.
The Government has no current plans to change the legislation in respect of surrogacy arrangements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) disturbances and (b) riots have been recorded (i) on the prison estate and (ii) in private prisons since May 2010.
Andrew Selous
I refer the Hon Member to the answer for PQ 28151, answered on 18 March 2016. This can be found on the following link:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tristram Hunt on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2016 to Question 21452, how many jobs at the Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust were abolished or relocated from Stoke-on Trent between May 2010 and 1 June 2014.
Andrew Selous
The former probation trusts ceased operation on 31 May 2014, as part of the previous Government’s Transforming Rehabilitation reforms. The trusts’ archived records are now held by the National Offender Management Service.
Within the specified timescale, it is not possible to ascertain whether or not the information requested is held in the archives. I will write to the hon. Member in due course to let him know the position and to provide the information if we have it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 February 2016 to Question 26161, how will the funds raised as result of the Supporting Syria Conference be used to create sustainable jobs in Levantine states with high youth unemployment.
Justine Greening
As set out in the Co-hosts’ Declaration from the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference (available at https://www.supportingsyria2016.com/media/) donor funding will support plans set out in detailed Statements of Intent by refugee-hosting governments aimed at improving the investment climate and creating jobs for host communities and refugees from Syria.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the Government will contribute emergency aid to Fiji and its surrounding islands following the recent cyclone.
Justine Greening
The UK is assisting Fiji in response to Tropical Cyclone Winston. The UK makes core contributions to the UN Agencies, CERF, ECHO and the Red Cross, all of whom may contribute to the response. We are also contributing technical support to strengthen UNICEF’s capacity and are ready to consider further requests for humanitarian experts should it be required. DFID has also offered to provide support to the UN Disaster & Coordination team and will remain in contact with Agencies in the region.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential effect of the change in the OECD definition of foreign aid to include some military spending on the effectiveness of aid spend on reducing poverty.
Justine Greening
We welcome the outcome of the recent High Level Meeting of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which agreed how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) rules should be updated to better tackle the pressing global development issues of the 21st century. The updates to the ODA rules both better recognise the detrimental impact that conflict, fragility and insecurity have on efforts to tackle poverty and reflect the importance of private sector investment for development.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has made to reallocate UK aid funding from cross-EU funds and programmes in the event of the UK voting to leave the EU.
Mr Nick Hurd
At the February European Council the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government’s view is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU. The civil service works to support the government’s position.