The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2014-03-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether his Department is (a) undertaking or (b) plans to undertake a review of the check-off union subscription provision.
Gregory Barker
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State reviewed the situation on 23 January 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2014-06-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If she will ensure that all asylum interviews are routinely audio and video recorded.
Karen Bradley
The Home Office is required to allow claimants, with some exceptions, to have their asylum interviews electronically recorded on request. The request to record the interview is at the discretion of the claimant. The invitation to interview letter advises eligible claimants to inform the asylum office if they wish the interview to be recorded, and to provide a minimum of 24 hours notice of their request to avoid a delay on the day. For those in detention, at least three days notice must be provided. We recognise that digitally recording asylum interviews has the potential to bring benefits to both asylum seekers and to the Home Office and we are currently exploring this as an option for the future.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2014-03-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether his Department is (a) undertaking or (b) plans to undertake a review of the check-off union subscription provision.
Stephen Crabb
The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right. As the Ministry of Justice is the main employer of staff at the Wales Office, we would follow any changes implemented by the MoJ.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2014-06-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many meetings she has had with world leaders to discuss the humanitarian situation in Yemen since 1 January 2013.
Mr Alan Duncan
Tackling the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where we are one of the largest humanitarian donors, is a priority for DFID. As such, DFID ministers have played a leading role in galvanising international efforts and encouraging others to do more. This has involved regular discussions with senior global leaders both in the specifically convened Friends of Yemen, but also during regular meetings with partners to discuss humanitarian issues.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the percentage cost over-run established by the management board for any budget in the Ministry of Defence to merit being tabled at the departmental management board; and how many times in the last 12 months that has occurred.
Lord Astor of Hever
The Defence Board receives a monthly report on the performance of each of its Top level Budgets showing the forecast position against the allocated budget. It also receives information on the delivery of the Ministry of Defence’s key equipment and other projects. The Board assesses this management information at each meeting and takes action as and when necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-06-12.
To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, in which 100 wards in which constituency in the UK turnout for voting at the polling station was lowest at the 2010 general election.
Mr Gary Streeter
The Electoral Commission does not hold the data requested at ward level. The Commission collects electoral data at each set of polls down to the level of individual contests, which means that it only holds ward level data for local elections.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch on 2014-03-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Law Society’s practice note on drawing up wills which are compliant with Sharia law.
Lord Faulks
Sharia law has no jurisdiction in England and Wales and the Government has no intention to change this position.
The Law Society’s practice note gives guidance to solicitors preparing wills under the law of England and Wales. It is a fundamental principle of this law that testators are, by making a valid will, able to leave their property to whomsoever they wish, subject only to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The practice note does not and cannot change the law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2014-06-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the availability of passenger information data on board trains.
Stephen Hammond
Since 1998, all new trains have been fitted with audio-visual Passenger Information Systems (PIS). Many older trains have also been retrofitted with this equipment while those that have not do at least have tannoy systems. The law requires all trains to have audio-visual PIS by 2020 and the industry’s ongoing work to meet this has been further facilitated by recent franchise decisions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Adrian Sanders on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he held with schools and local authorities for the purposes of drafting departmental advice on universal infant free school meals.
Mr David Laws
Since the announcement of universal infant free school meals (UIFSM), Departmental officials have engaged in a number of discussions with primary school head teachers and their representatives, local authorities and other interested parties, to explore how this policy can be implemented so that the benefits of universal free school meal provision for children and families are maximised.
The content of the departmental advice document on universal infant free school meals, which was published on 6 March, was based on feedback gathered through these discussions. Before it was published, the document was commented on by the Department’s UIFSM external reference group, which includes representatives from schools and local authorities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2014-06-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on whether jobseekers whose jobseeker’s allowance claim is cancelled because they experience three periods of illness in one year must be informed of this by jobcentre staff.
Esther McVey
Legislation prescribes the circumstances where a person can remain on Jobseeker’s Allowance where they suffer a period of sickness. Where someone declares a period of sickness that falls outside these circumstances, they are informed of their options, e.g. claiming Employment Support Allowance and how to re-claim Jobseeker’s Allowance as and when appropriate. Once a claim to JSA is terminated, the claimant receives a formal notification to this effect.