The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings he has had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser in the last 12 months.
Mr Philip Dunne
As was the case under previous administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.
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, whether UK Trade & Investment has established a new dedicated team to increase the volume and value of overseas investment into the UK agri-tech sector.
Mr David Willetts
Yes. The Agri-Tech Investment Organisation was established on 1 August 2013 within UK Trade and Investment. It is staffed by a mix of civil servants and industry experts dedicated to increasing the value and volume of overseas investment into the UK agri-tech sector.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the timetable is for the next periodic safety review of each of the UK’s nuclear power stations; whether an environmental impact assessment is required as part of the periodic safety review procedure; and what opportunities exist for public involvement in such reviews.
Michael Fallon
The Timetable for the next periodic safety reviews of each of the operating nuclear power stations is included below. The nine stations are the seven Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGRs) sites, the single Pressurised Water Reactor at Sizewell B and the remaining operating Magnox reactor at Wylfa.
|
Station |
Submission to ONR |
ONR Decision Date |
|
Hinkley Point B/Hunterston B |
January 2016 |
January 2017 |
|
Dungeness B |
January 2017 |
January 2018 |
|
Hartlepool/Heysham 1 |
January 2018 |
January 2019 |
|
Heysham 2/Torness |
January 2019 |
January 2020 |
|
Sizewell B |
January 2024 |
January 2025 |
|
Wylfa |
October 2013 |
September 2014 |
An environmental impact assessment is undertaken by each licensee covering the radiological impact of routine discharges. Such assessments are carried out separate to the PSR submitted to ONR by the licensee under Licence Condition 15, and are regulated by the appropriate UK environmental agency – the Environment Agency, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, or Natural Resources Wales – in each case.
While there is no legal requirement for public involvement in PSRs, the decision of whether to include public involvement is taken at the discretion of each station licensee. ONR completes an assessment of the licensee’s submission prior to the decision date to ensure it meets the expectations set out in its guidance and that it provides an adequate demonstration of the future safe operation of the plant – see ONR guidance at:
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether both Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers can be docked at Portsmouth Harbour simultaneously.
Mr Philip Dunne
Yes. Significant new investment in HM Naval Base Portsmouth, including the strengthening of jetties, installing new power supplies and other infrastructure changes is required to accommodate both carriers. This work has already commenced and will continue to expand. The initial capability will be completed in time for the arrival of the first of class, HMS Queen Elizabeth, at her home port.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Baron on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what responsibilities NHS England has for 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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many air proximity incidents by classification took place with a Typhoon aircraft in each of the last three years; and what the other aircraft involved was in each incident, broken down by by location.
Mr Mark Francois
Details of the air proximity incidents involving Typhoon aircraft in 2011, 2012 and 2013 have been published online and can be obtained from the UK Airprox Board website at:
http://www.airproxboard.org.uk/default.aspx?catid=423&pagetype=90&pageid=5639
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the proportion of sexual health services delivered by private providers.
Jane Ellison
This information is not collected.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women detained at Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre have been held for (a) four years or more, (b) three years or more and (c) two years or more.
James Brokenshire
As at 31 December 2013, the latest date for which figures are available, no women were detained at Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre for longer than two years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much in overtime costs has been spent in HM Passport Office in each month of 2014.
James Brokenshire
Overtime costs in Her Majesty’s Passport Office in each month of 2014 are as follows
January – £199,146
February – £400,812
March – £840,588
April – £793,559
May – £964,742
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of a smoking ban in prisons on the number of incidents of violence relating to cigarettes.
Jeremy Wright
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) support the desirability of attaining a smoke free prison estate in the future and continue to work towards this objective. However, the timing of that implementation will take account of the operational realities of running safe, decent and secure prisons and in particular the impact any smoking ban may have on the general safety of staff and prisoners. Therefore the decision on timing to move to smoke free prisons will reflect an operational assessment of risk, which will include an assessment of potentially adverse impact on prisoner behaviour and how this risk can be minimised and effectively managed. This assessment is ongoing and the risks are being carefully considered to ensure effective plans and support are in place before introducing smoke free prisons.
The work by NOMS on moving to a smoke free prison estate will continue to be informed by the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies in Nottingham University; by further assessments of air quality in prisons; and by the work with Public Health England and expertise from the New Zealand prison service which has introduced smoke free prisons.