Tag: 2014

  • Lord Warner – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Warner – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Warner on 2015-01-14.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 6 January (HL3868), whether evidence that an individual persistently undertook, permitted or financed illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories triggers consideration as to whether that individual’s conduct is not conducive to the public good.

    Lord Bates

    All foreign nationals seeking entry to the UK must satisfy either an entry clearance officer overseas, or an immigration officer at the port of arrival, that they fully meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules in the category of entry sought and that, by their own actions, they have not brought themselves within scope of the general grounds for refusal set out in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.

    The Government takes a range of measures to prevent foreign nationals from coming to, or remaining in, the UK where their presence is not conducive to the public good. An individual may be refused entry to the UK under the Immigration Rules and the Home Secretary also has the power to exclude foreign nationals from the UK. The power to exclude is broad but may include circumstances involving national security, unacceptable behaviour, extremism, international relations or foreign policy, and serious organised crime. These decisions are made according to the individual circumstances of each case taking into a consideration a range of factors.

  • Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department takes into account reports produced or evidence submitted by non-governmental human rights organisations in deciding on claims for asylum made on the grounds of political persecution or a risk to someone’s life.

    James Brokenshire

    In reaching decisions on asylum claims, caseworkers have access to a wide range of published country of origin information produced by the Home Office, which includes reference to reports produced or submitted by national or
    international human rights organisations.

  • David Ward – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    David Ward – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Ward on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what terms of reference have been set for his Department’s research project on the effect of telematics on young drivers; and when he plans to publish the outcomes of each of that project’s phases.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Department has just awarded a research contract for a project which is intended to demonstrate the road safety benefits which could arise as a result of novice drivers using telematics products.

    A description of the Department’s research requirement has been placed in Libraries of both Houses.

    We expect phase one to be completed in April 2015. The timing of phase two will be dependent on the first phase.

  • Frank Dobson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Frank Dobson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Dobson on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff of HS2 Ltd on personal service contracts are paid more than £1,000 a day.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    There are no staff employed directly by HS2 Ltd on personal services contracts.

  • Hywel Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Hywel Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hywel Williams on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the date by which all driving licences in Britain will carry the Union flag through the process of licence renewal.

    Claire Perry

    All licences for drivers in England, Scotland and Wales issued from summer 2015 will carry the Union flag.

    Drivers are required to renew their photocard driving licences every ten years. To meet legislative requirements every licence in circulation will be a photocard by 2033. All valid driving licences will carry the Union flag by then.

  • David Simpson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    David Simpson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Simpson on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that doctors and surgeons are not working excessive hours.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    It is the responsibility of National Health Service trusts to ensure that service rotas are designed and staffed appropriately and are in accordance with the Working Time Regulations.

    The Department commissioned the Royal College of Surgeons to review the impact of the Working Time Directive on the health sector. A taskforce, chaired by Professor Norman Williams and comprising of representatives from across the medical profession, met on six occasions from October 2013 to February 2014 and a report was produced. The taskforce identified concerns about the impact of the adoption of the European Working Time Directive on the continuity of care for patients and the quality of training for some junior doctors. In view of this the report made recommendations that NHS trusts should review best practice in the design of working rotas.

  • Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will request that Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, reply to the letter of 21 November 2014 from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill, on A&E services at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department understands that NHS England will be replying to the hon. Member’s letter of 21 November 2014.

  • George Hollingbery – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    George Hollingbery – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Hollingbery on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219112, when she expects the review of domestic management measures for bass to be completed.

    George Eustice

    The current review of the domestic management measures for bass should be completed within the next few weeks. Aligned with work at European level to reverse the steep decline in bass stocks, the high-level review will focus principally on the need for any change to our current domestic management measures, such as the catch limits on commercial fishing for bass, minimum landing size for bass and protection of bass nursery areas. Where it is identified that action is required, this work will be further developed and, where national legislation may be required, will follow the usual legislative process. We will seek the views of key stakeholders on the way forward. Any proposed national legislation will be subject to public consultation involving stakeholders, other government departments and interested parties. The relevant documentation to support the new legislation will be made publically available, where not already published.

  • Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will ensure that the needs of cyclists are considered when infrastructure contracts are awarded.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    In August 2013 the Prime Minister announced his intention to "cycle proof" the road network – in other words, to ensure that people using cycles are considered from the design stage of new and improved road infrastructure. Cycle proofing is a process which over time ensures that the built environment generally, and roads specifically, are seen to be safe, convenient and pleasant for cycle use by people of all ages and abilities.

    Work to cycle proof roads has already begun. The Highways Agency has recently published its Strategic Business Plan[1] which sets out how they will improve facilities for people cycling or walking alongside the strategic road network. Designated funding has been allocated to make provision for vulnerable users when designing and building major schemes and where feasible make it safer and easier for cyclists and pedestrians to access local routes when crossing the strategic road network. For cyclists the Agency will:

    · Invest £100m to improve access, integration and facilities on and around the network;

    · Undertake studies at 600 sites identified in conjunction with Sustrans and the National Cycling Charity to decide the best potential solution for each location;

    · Provide additional professional development training for those engineers and planners responsible for designing schemes to include appropriate cycling provision;

    · Produce its first National Cycling Strategy by the end of 2015.

    All contracts on the Agency’s network use the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges[2] (DMRB) for the design of works and the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works[3] as the specification. The DMRB incorporates requirements, processes and procedures to ensure that the needs of vulnerable road users are considered and included at scheme design stage.

    The Department is currently finalising the Cycling Delivery Plan. Several actions outlined in that Plan will contribute further to this cycle proofing work. The Department will seek to ensure roads projects that receive government funding, as well as those conducted by local authorities, are cycle proofed. This means that the needs of people using cycles are considered from the design stage.

    The Department is also working to ensure Highways engineers have evidence based tools with which to design high quality conditions for cycling on England’s roads. This includes updating the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, and – where suitable and appropriate – endorsing the use of new standards and guidance produced by other authorities in the UK.

    We do of course consider the needs of all users of public transport, including cyclists, at railway stations. That is why we have allocated almost £30 million for cycling facilities and we are on track to triple the number of cycle parking spaces at railway stations.

    [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/387252/141215_Strategic_business_plan.pdf

    [2] http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/

    [3] http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/mchw/

    “

  • Ann McKechin – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Ann McKechin – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann McKechin on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effects of fracking on rural communities; and if she will make a statement.

    Dan Rogerson

    Shale gas exploitation has the potential to benefit rural communities. It will create jobs in the industry and supply chain. Communities will also benefit locally from a share of the revenues and from additional business rates. The Department of Energy and Climate Change lead on the economic benefits of shale gas. Any potential impacts, including those on the local environment, are fully considered through the rigorous permitting and planning processes.