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Tag: 2014

  • Angus Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Angus Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any other aircraft were operating in the area at the time of the collision between the two Tornado aircraft above the Moray Firth on 3 July 2012.

    Dr Andrew Murrison

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right Hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) on 3 December 2013, (Official Report, column 639W). It would be inappropriate to comment on any details relating to this incident prior to the publication of the Service Inquiry.

  • John Baron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    John Baron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Baron on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has given to clinical commissioning groups on the use of the NICE breast cancer quality standard when commissioning breast cancer services.

    Jane Ellison

    The majority of treatments for cancer, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, are commissioned nationally by NHS England. Commissioning is informed by a range of clinical reference groups established as a primary source of advice on best practice, service standards for commissioned providers and forward strategy and innovation.

    Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) plan and buy local community and non-specialised hospital cancer services in their local area. This includes the diagnosis, oversight of treatment and surgical management of breast cancers.

    NHS England is not aware of any formal guidance being given to CCGs on engagement with Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) or breast network site-specific groups. However, it would expect that all health organisations would wish to be part of SCNs. As CCGs are responsible for much of the commissioning of services covered by the SCNs (e.g. cancer, stroke, mental health, and dementia care), they have an interest in their activities.

    Breast network site specific groups are specialist groups who focus on protocol development, improving care and the quality and outcomes of services within the SCN area. It would not be expected for a CCG to normally engage directly with that group but they would be part of a process to approve protocols and of any escalation process if there were concerns about a particular service within the SCN.

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standards define clinical best practice for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer to help clinicians ensure that patients are given information about the treatment options available and help in choosing the best option to suit them. NHS England would expect CCGs to take into account NICE quality standards when commissioning breast cancer services.

  • Maria Eagle – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Maria Eagle – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 31W, on the Environment Agency, when the review of existing workloads against enforcement priorities and available budgets will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

    Dan Rogerson

    It is expected that the process of reviewing the baseline total enforcement and legal casework to match this to the Environment Agency budget will be completed within the next six weeks.

  • Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many arrests in the UK have resulted from Operation Rescue; how many charges were brought following those arrests; how many open investigations remain from those identified; and if she will make a statement.

    Damian Green

    Operation Rescue was an investigation into a website that promoted the distribution of Indecent Images of Children. From 2007 to 2011, 240 intelligence packages were disseminated by the SOCA affiliated Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre (CEOP) to Police Forces across the UK.

    At the end of the intelligence dissemination phase of the operation in 2011 CEOP had been notified of 121 arrests; of these 33 individuals were convicted and 7 cautioned.

    Further information regarding charges, convictions and open investigations is handled at a local level by the relevant police force and is not recorded centrally.

  • Philip Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Philip Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners who are in open prisons are serving (a) a life sentence and (b) an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

    Jeremy Wright

    Depending on the length of tariff and the risk they pose, indeterminate sentenced prisoners (ISPs – both those serving life and Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences) move through their sentence via a series of progressive transfers into lower security establishments in the closed estate and then usually into open conditions. The purpose of any placement in open conditions is for such prisoners’ risks to be tested in less stringent conditions in order to inform the Parole Board’s consideration as to whether it is safe to release them into the community. It is also is an important part of the offender’s rehabilitation. The decision to transfer ISPs to open conditions is a categorisation decision which is a matter for the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may take this decision after seeking advice from the Parole Board or executively where the prisoners may demonstrate exceptional progress.

    However, there is nothing automatic about progress from open conditions to eventual release. Rather, the period in open prison will serve as an important time to test the prisoner and will help inform the Parole Board’s decision whether the offenders risk is such that it may be safely managed in the community.

    For many prisoners, in particular those such as ISPs who have spent a considerable amount of time in custody; these are essential components for successful reintegration in the community and therefore an important factor in protecting the public. To release these prisoners directly from a closed prison without the resettlement benefits of the open estate would undoubtedly lead to higher levels of post-release re-offending.

    The main purpose of open conditions is to test prisoners in conditions more similar to those that they will face in the community. It also enables them to develop their plans for eventual release. Time spent in open prisons affords prisoners the opportunity to find work, re-establish family ties, reintegrate into the community and ensure housing needs are met. Open prisons are the most effective means of ensuring that prisoners are subject to testing, with appropriate risk assessment to ensure the protection of the public, before they are released into the community. Once tariff has expired, an ISP’s continued detention is justified only so long as it is necessary for the protection of the public.

    Public protection is the priority and the Board will take into account a range of factors when assessing whether an offender’s risk is reduced sufficiently, in order that they can be managed in open conditions or on licence in the community. These might include the completion of offence related courses, a sustained period of good custodial behaviour, access to appropriate and stable accommodation, access to education, training and employment, and support from professionals as well as family and friends. The Parole Board would not recommend a prisoner’s transfer to open conditions unless they considered it safe to do so. Prisoners located in open prison conditions have been rigorously risk assessed and categorised as being of a low enough risk to the public to warrant their placement in an open prison.

    The requested information is provided in the table attached.

    These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

  • Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Burns on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive will be subject to security vetting if he or she is appointed from outside the House service or Civil Service; and whether he or she will be subject to a confirmation hearing before a select committee.

    John Thurso

    Three organisations specialising in executive search services were invited to tender to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. Saxton Bampfylde was selected through this process.

    The selection panel comprises Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP, Angela Eagle MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman). No confirmation hearing is envisaged. The composition of the panel for the recruitment of the present postholder was Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP and Sheila Drew Smith.

    Knowledge of procedural and constitutional issues will be tested as part of the formal interview process. The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. As part of normal pre-appointment checks it will be a requirement for the next Clerk of the House to be subject to security vetting. The terms of the recruitment brief were agreed by the Commission by correspondence, and the advertisement, finalised by the Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change, was based on the agreed brief.

  • Adrian Sanders – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Adrian Sanders – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adrian Sanders on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his letter of 20 March 2014, what the evidential basis is for his statement that allowing people receiving employment and support allowance to do some work within a specified 52 week period is the best way of encouraging a move towards work of 16 hours or more a week.

    Esther McVey

    The permitted work rules in Employment and Support Allowance are based on those which applied to Incapacity Benefit. This approach was supported by evidence contained in DWP Research Report 268 “Final outcome from Permitted Work Rules”.

  • David Ruffley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    David Ruffley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Ruffley on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners are being held in police cells; what the daily cost is of holding such prisoners; and how many prisoners were held in police cells in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) England and Wales in each of the last five years.

    Jeremy Wright

    The number of prisoners held overnight in a police cell has come down to around 1,400 in 2013-14, after reaching a peak of over 50,000 in 2007-08.

    Prison numbers fluctuate throughout the year and we have sufficient accommodation for the current and expected population. We will always have enough prison places for those sent to us by the courts. There will be more adult male prison capacity in May 2015 than there was at the start of this Parliament.

    Police cells, under Operation Safeguard, have not been used since 22 September 2008 and no police cells under Operation Safeguard have been on stand by since the end of October 2008.

    We are not using police cells due to a lack of space but because it is not always possible to transfer prisoners from courts to prisons in the time available at the end of court sittings – we have over half a million prisoner transfers a year so it is unsurprising that occasionally we cannot get prisoners back to their prison for one night.

    As part of standard logistical arrangements, there are occasions where prisoners may be temporarily held overnight in police cells.. This is solely for overnight accommodation by the police before collection and onward transmission to the prison establishment the following working day. This is not the same as using Operation Safeguard, as in 2007-08.

    For the above occasions, under the existing National Offender Management Service /Association of Chief Police Officers National Framework Agreement, it costs £55 for a prisoner to stay in a police cell overnight

    The following table shows i) the total number of prisoners who were temporarily held overnight in police cells in England and Walesin each year since 2005-06 and ii) of which, the numbers held in police cells in the Suffolk Police Force area (identified by the number in brackets), in each year since 2009-10. The totals include adults, young adults (18 to 20-year-olds) and young people (15 to 17-year-olds). In order to identify individual police station locations to identify those in the Bury St Edmunds constituency would require a manual check of each record and this could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

    2005-06

    2006-07

    2007-08

    2008-09

    2009-10

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    2013-14

    286

    16,719

    52,879

    4,769

    182 (1)

    191 (6)

    1,474 (1)

    686 (1)

    1,412 (4)
  • Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2014-03-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2014, Official Report, column 372W, on driving: licensing, how many drivers who received driving convictions undertook speed awareness courses in each year since 2010, in each force area.

    Karen Bradley

    The number of drivers that opted for a National Driver Offender Retraining
    Scheme (NDORS) speed awareness course rather than accept penalty points on
    their driving licence in 2010 is 447,833, in 2011 is 772,180, in 2012 is 926,155 and
    in 2013 is 953,464. These reflect the latest updated figures.

    The following table shows the figures by police force area for the number of
    drivers that opted for a speed awareness course.

    The offer of a speed awareness course is at the discretion of the police. To be
    deemed eligible there must be no excessive speed or other offences committed at
    the same time. Information on previous motoring convictions is not taken into
    account.

    NDORS Police Force Area 2010 2011 2012 2013
    AVON AND SOMERSET CONSTABULARY 0 267 38,244 36,064
    BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE 6,707 11,440 15,370 12,075
    CAMBRIDGESHIRE CONSTABULARY 17,691 17,301 16,974 9,148
    CHESHIRE 6,066 15,198 16,702 14,490
    CITY OF LONDON POLICE 0 0 0 153
    CLEVELAND POLICE 8,278 12,147 10,282 7,198
    CUMBRIA CONSTABULARY 11,967 18,436 19,878 20,218
    DERBYSHIRE CONSTABULARY 5,657 9,275 14,385 12,666
    DEVON AND CORNWALL CONSTABULARY 8,720 13,516 17,959 16,608
    DORSET POLICE 0 0 0 0
    DURHAM CONSTABULARY 0 1,436 4,517 4,267
    DYFED-POWYS POLICE 100 1,158 1,229 1,870
    ESSEX POLICE 0 8,113 21,957 22,605
    GLOUCESTERSHIRE CONSTABULARY 937 2,317 4,573 5,445
    GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE 39,959 45,639 49,463 45,064
    GWENT POLICE 1 39 34 6
    HAMPSHIRE CONSTABULARY 0 0 0 36,986
    HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY 8,128 14,802 23,700 20,216
    HUMBERSIDE POLICE 0 0 15,499 29,791
    KENT COUNTY POLICE 3,430 23,787 31,790 27,446
    LANCASHIRE CONSTABULARY 13,082 24,949 22,491 27,287
    LEICESTERSHIRE CONSTABULARY 14,262 16,055 17,381 16,292
    LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE 4,054 18,083 25,595 19,223
    MERSEYSIDE POLICE 10,923 15,683 17,964 20,022
    METROPOLITAN POLICE 0 0 9,034 31,818
    NORFOLK CONSTABULARY 11,665 16,054 17,054 23,527
    NORTH WALES POLICE 16,843 15,141 16,069 17,711
    NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE 3,332 6,768 9,855 18,049
    NORTHAMPTONSHIRE POLICE 6,671 14,944 11,444 12,520
    NORTHUMBRIA POLICE 28,452 28,195 39,707 40,892
    NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE 15,615 21,728 24,217 25,060
    POLICE SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND 9,294 19,582 27,020 27,320
    SCOTLAND 0 0 0 0
    SOUTH WALES POLICE 29,587 58,025 55,573 51,182
    SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE 14,453 35,040 27,698 28,035
    STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE 16,040 21,205 25,354 27,987
    SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY 15,507 27,019 20,122 22,461
    SURREY POLICE 4,604 17,845 25,349 23,107
    SUSSEX POLICE 6,194 28,589 33,425 22,328
    THAMES VALLEY POLICE 48,859 73,625 87,199 78,593
    WARWICKSHIRE POLICE 3,584 6,577 6,350 17,482
    WEST MERCIA CONSTABULARY 31,347 44,094 41,416 34,277
    WEST MIDLANDS POLICE 2,879 21,033 20,603 14,551
    WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE 22,945 47,075 42,679 31,424
    WILTSHIRE CONSTABULARY 0 0 0 0
    Total: 447,833 772,180 926,155 953,464

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department is taking to promote Northern Ireland’s natural beauty to boost its tourism.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom and the televising around the world of the G8 summit in Fermanagh last year and the recent Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza will doubtless result in new tourist visits.

    The promotion of tourism is a devolved matter, however I take every opportunity to invite those whom I meet to come and visit and enjoy Northern Ireland for themselves.