The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the London and South Coast rail corridor study to be published.
Claire Perry
The Department anticipates receiving the findings of the London and South Coast Rail Corridor Study by the end of 2015. The Government will subsequently consider the timeframe for releasing the study findings, including our response.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department’s expenditure on the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) was in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15; and what his Department’s projected expenditure on the BSOG is in 2015-16.
Andrew Jones
Total expenditure on the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15 in accrual terms and rounded to the nearest £million is set out below.
2010-11 £445m
2011-12 £441m
2012-13 £344m
2013-14 £291m
2014/15 £253m
Since 1 October 2013, the BSOG which was previously paid to bus operators for running bus services under franchise to Transport for London (TfL) in London has been incorporated into the general grant paid to TfL and the Greater London Authority. The figures given above exclude some £47 million paid to TfL/GLA in this way for 2013/14 and some £93 million paid to them for 2014/15.
The figures given for 2013/14 onwards are made up of (i) BSOG paid to bus companies and community transport operators for running services outside London, (ii) BSOG devolved to local transport authorities in the five areas which have been designated as Better Bus Areas, and (iii) BSOG for tendered (non-commercially viable) services outside London for which the funding has been devolved to individual local authorities since 1 January 2014.
As BSOG is a demand-led grant, it is too early to give an accurate projection of spend for 2015/16. However, we would expect it to be broadly similar to that for 2014-15.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Ahmed on 2015-10-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether restrictions were imposed on the travel of Narendra Modi; if so, whether such restrictions have been lifted; and if so, why.
Lord Bates
The Home Office do not routinely comment on individual cases. The Home Office has obligations in law to protect this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Green of Deddington on 2015-10-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 19 October (HL2532), which specific elements of European law require the right to challenge an adverse asylum decision via an effective remedy; and whether the nature of such a remedy is prescribed.
Lord Bates
Article 39 of the Asylum Procedures Directive requires that EU member states must provide an effective remedy before a Court or Tribunal in respect of a decision taken on a person’s asylum application.
The nature of the remedy is not prescribed beyond requiring it to be before a Court or Tribunal.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to encourage people to consume less salt.
Jane Ellison
New voluntary salt reduction targets have been developed for 76 specific food groups that contribute most to people’s salt intakes and major retailers, manufacturers and caterers are working to meet these targets by December 2017.
Maximum per serving salt targets for the out of home sector (restaurants and caterers) have also been set, covering the 10 most popular dishes on menus and children’s meals, and these are being supported by further actions in this sector, including training chefs, reformulating dishes and procuring lower salt ingredients.
The Front of Pack nutrition labelling scheme makes it easier for consumers, at a glance, to understand what they are buying and supports them to make healthier choices including reducing their intake of salt.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with Castleman disease in each of the last five years.
George Freeman
Information on the number of diagnoses of Castleman disease is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Antoinette Sandbach on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to reduce infant mortality.
Jane Ellison
We have made reducing infant mortality an area of improvement for the National Health Service in the NHS Outcomes Framework. We are also committed to reducing the number of stillbirths and want England to achieve the lowest rate of stillbirth and neonatal death in the world. Reducing infant mortality is also highlighted as an outcome indicator in the Public Health Outcomes Framework.
We want to improve all children’s chances in life by giving families the help they need to keep their children healthy and safe. The 0-5 years Healthy Child Programme, led and delivered by health visitors and their teams, is the key universal programme for the health and well-being of children, and sets out reviews, screening, and support which aim to reduce cot death, prevent ill health and to identify and treat problems early.
MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies – Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK), has been appointed to continue the national programme of work investigating maternal deaths, stillbirths and infant deaths. They aim to identify what has gone wrong and why and make national recommendations on how care can be improved for all mothers and babies.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime.
Mike Penning
The Government is undertaking a wide range of measures to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime.
We recently published a revised Victims’ Code which will come into force on 16 November. As a result, victims of all criminal offences, and not just victims of more serious offences, will be entitled to support; and victims will be entitled to support from a wider range of organisations.
Significant work is being undertaken by the Ministry of Justice to improve the experience of victims and witnesses when they engage with the criminal justice system, which includes strengthening the protection available when going to court. We have already doubled the number of Registered Intermediaries available to offer support to vulnerable witnesses and are giving vulnerable victims and witnesses greater opportunity to give evidence away from court using new live-link facilities. This is on top of a range of existing special measures to help reduce the anxiety of attending court, including giving evidence from behind a screen in the courtroom or the use of live-link from another room in court to the courtroom.
Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for commissioning the majority of emotional, practical and specialist support services for victims of crime, based on their assessment of local needs, and receive funding from the Ministry of Justice to do so. In addition, the Ministry of Justice funds services to support those bereaved by murder and manslaughter, female and male victims of rape, victims of road traffic crime and victims of terrorism, and support for victims and witnesses attending criminal courts. To help victims find the services they need, the Ministry of Justice has recently launched the Victims’ Information Service, which includes a website directory of services and a free telephone helpline which can provide immediate assistance and support.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Danny Kinahan on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had on the influence of major contractors over procurement processes in the Highways Agency.
Andrew Jones
The Secretary of State and Minister for Transport hold frequent discussions with Highways England on all aspects of their performance and delivery of the Road Investment Strategy. Highways England has recently published its Supply Chain Strategy. This sets out its procurement approach and strategies which are being developed with input from highways suppliers and others, to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the Road Investment Strategy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent meetings Ministers in his Department have had with cancer campaign groups on proposals in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on changes to employment and support allowance for people in the work-related activity group.
Priti Patel
Ministers regularly have meetings with a variety of stakeholders, including cancer charities; as part of their role.