The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Fuller on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will review the level of the debt threshold for a creditor bankruptcy petition.
Jenny Willott
We plan to review the debt threshold for a creditor bankruptcy petition this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the ratio of prison officers to inmates by gender was in each (a) prison establishment and (b) category of prison in England and Wales in each of the last five years.
Jeremy Wright
Information on the ratio of prisoners to prison officers has been provided previously to the hon. Member for Tooting, Sadiq Khan. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4 Mar 2014, Official Report, Column 805W.
It is not possible to calculate a meaningful ratio of prisoners to staff based on gender. Any officer to prisoner ratio must take account of all available staffing, of either gender, in order to realistically represent the level of staffing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine McKinnell on 2014-06-16.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) National Savings and Investments staff will be employed administering tax-free childcare in (i) 2015-16, (ii) 2016-17, (iii) 2017-18 and (iv) 2018-19.
Nicky Morgan
On the 23 May the Government published a further consultation on the delivery of childcare accounts within Tax-Free Childcare. The consultation will be open until 27 June and the Government will consider the responses alongside those to the first consultation before it makes its decision on the provision of childcare accounts.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick de Bois on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to allow mandatory sentencing in cases of carrying an article with blade or point of offensive weapon; and if he will make a statement.
Jeremy Wright
Possession of an offensive weapon or bladed article is a serious offence which carries a maximum 4 year custodial sentence. This Government has already introduced new offences for threatening with a knife, which carries a minimum mandatory custodial sentence for adults and 16-17 year olds in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2013. More recently we made it clear that cautions for adults can not be used for knife possession offences, and are legislating in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill to put statutory restrictions around their use.
Knife crime continues to fall, with a higher proportion of offenders going to prison for knife possession than in previous years and average custodial sentences getting longer.
Whilst this is encouraging, this Government continues to keep this area of the law under close scrutiny and if further action is necessary it will bring forward proposals.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which Arts Council England strategic programmes are designed specifically to address the National Lottery directions issued in 2007.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Lottery Distributors, including Arts Council England, are required to take account of directions issued under Section 26 (1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. It is for the Arts Council to determine how best to do so in designing its strategic programmes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2014-03-31.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what specific training is received by Ministry of Defence officials in negotiating equipment and services procurement contract terms and conditions effectively and in guaranteeing best value for money.
Lord Astor of Hever
Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurement activity ranges from the purchase of low value consumable items through to complex equipment acquisition, support and services. These activities involve multi-disciplinary teams, including engineering, technical, finance, project management and procurement staff. There is clear separation of responsibilities between those authorising the initial requirement, those giving financial authority and those empowered to place contracts.
The MOD currently has around 1,700 civilian staff in the commercial function of which 1,200 are in active commercial roles and are authorised to sign contracts with suppliers.
Commercial staff must demonstrate the necessary levels of functional competence and experience to be licensed and receive a formal commercial delegation. Some 60% of commercial staff currently hold, or are working towards, qualifications in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). This is expected to rise to around 75% in 2015. The MOD is also developing an advanced commercial skills programme to provide additional training relevant to the MOD complex acquisition process, which goes beyond standard CIPS training.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what risk assessment he has made of the safety of aircraft handlers and maintenance personnel due to the noise produced by the Joint Strike Fighter.
Mr Philip Dunne
Full assessment has been made regarding the noise levels of the Joint Strike Fighter. Personnel noise exposure risk is managed in accordance with The Control of Noise at Work Regulations, 2005 and will include a combination of personal protective equipment and procedures to control daily noise exposure, normal practice for personnel operating machinery such as helicopters, tanks and other aircraft.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2014-03-31.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 30 January (WA 253), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the terms of reference of the review being carried out by Social Finance into innovative models of providing temporary accommodation for homeless families.
Baroness Stowell of Beeston
I have placed a copy of the terms of reference contained within the Social Finance contract in the Library of the House. The final report will be published in due course, and I will write to the noble Baroness with a copy when it is available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place a copy of 2014DIN05-012 on JSP 441 – The Defence Records Management Policy and Procedures: Publication of Version 4:3 in the Library.
Dr Andrew Murrison
A copy of the Defence Instruction Notice 2014-DIN05-012 regarding JSP 441 will be placed in the Library of the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, how much of the £90 million to establish centres for agricultural innovation has been allocated; and how many such centres have been established.
Mr David Willetts
Following the launch of the Strategy we prioritised the Agri-Tech Catalyst, to encourage collaboration between industry and academia. We have been engaging further with industry to ensure the Centres are developed as true partnerships. The process to establish the Centre for Agricultural Informatics and Metrics of Sustainability will be launched this Spring. Therefore, to date, no centres have been fully established or money allocated.