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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[2] http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/
[3] http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/mchw/
“
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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2015-01-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what budget was allocated by her Department to AMPLIFY in each financial year from 2009-10; and what budget is allocated to that organisation for 2015-16.
Justine Greening
Information on previous budget allocations is available at http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/. 2015-16 allocations remain subject to ministerial approval.
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Stanley on 2015-01-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will issue a direction to the Chief Executive of Network Rail to reply to the letter of 3 June 2014 from the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling, and his subsequent letter pressing for a reply, regarding the establishment of a business and innovation centre at the Station Masters House at Edenbridge Town Station.
Claire Perry
Network Rail operates at arm’s-length from the Department, without day-to-day supervision, and is not expected to involve Ministers in its regular operational decisions such as the establishment of a business and innovation centre at Edenbridge Town station.
However, this is an unacceptable delay and Network Rail advises that Mark Carne’s reply to the right Hon Member for Tonbridge and Malling is due to be sent on 23 January.
Network Rail held a site meeting in December with the train operator Southern and the group proposing to use the Station Masters House, to look at the rooms in question and to discuss the proposals for future use. Network Rail is continuing its discussions about the lease with all parties to find a way forward in the near future. Both Network Rail and Southern are supportive of this proposal.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure that shops secure the physical safety of their customers during future Black Friday promotions; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Mark Harper
Retailers are responsible for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of customers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
When organising special events such as Black Friday retailers must plan their activities to effectively control and manage risks. Regulation of retail activities sits with the relevant local authority.
The Health and Safety Executive is in discussion with both the retail industry trade associations and Local Authorities about the implications of initiatives such as Black Friday promotions.