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Tag: 2014

  • Lyn Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Lyn Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lyn Brown on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether a formal valuation of the existing firefighters’ pensions schemes has been carried out since the Government Actuary’s Department published its formal valuation in 2009.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The Government Actuary’s Department is currently undertaking a valuation of the firefighters’ pension schemes in England as at 31 March 2012, which is expected to report later this year. There have been no other valuations of the schemes since 2009.

  • Stephen Barclay – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Stephen Barclay – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Barclay on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many masts will be erected in Cambridgeshire as part of the Mobile Infrastructure Project.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Mobile Infrastructure Project implementation plan identified seven potential masts for Cambridgeshire. Coverage by the mobile network operators has shifted as they begin roll out of 4G, leading to improvements in coverage in some areas and changes in the number and locations of not spots. DCMS officials and Arqiva, delivery partner for the Mobile Infrastructure Project, are incorporating these changes into the project’s planning. Once this planning is finalised any changes will be communicated to planning authorities.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sadiq Khan on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office paid to (a) G4S, (b) Serco, (c) Sodexo, (d) GEOAmey, (e) Capita, (f) Atos, (g) Mitie, (h) Working Links, (i) A4E, (j) MTC Amey, (k) GEO Group and (l) Carillion in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2013-14.

    Mr Francis Maude

    The Prime Minister’s Office and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office are an integral part of the Cabinet Office.

    As part of my department’s transparency programme, any spend over £25,000 is available on the Department’s website. Since January 2011, all contracts over £10,000 in value are published on Contracts Finder (http://www.contractsfinder.co.uk/).

    “

  • Tom Greatrex – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Tom Greatrex – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Greatrex on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of total gas storage capacity in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland; and how much such capacity is (i) short range storage and (ii) long range storage.

    Matthew Hancock

    Total gas storage capacity in England is 4.63bcm. This includes the 3.3bcm Rough facility located in the Southern North Sea. In addition, there are two projects currently under construction in England which will bring full gas storage capacity to 5.13bcm when completed.

    There are no gas storage facilities currently located in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

    Of the existing gas storage capacity, 3.3bcm (the Rough facility) is long range and 1.33bcm is short range. The two projects currently under construction, totalling 0.5bcm, are both short range facilities.

  • John Denham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    John Denham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Denham on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether his Department has made compensation payments to householders whose homes have suffered damage from work under the Affordable Warmth Obligation.

    Amber Rudd

    Consumer protection is an important aspect of any energy efficiency scheme. ECO is an obligation on the largest energy suppliers, and suppliers use in-house operation teams or contract third party installation companies to promote and install energy efficiency improvements in households. Compensation payments would therefore be provided through the energy suppliers or their contractors, not by Government.

    However, we have recently consulted on additional warranty provisions under ECO Affordable Warmth. We will announce the outcome of that consultation shortly.

    Consumers can also access the usual consumer protection routes such as Citizens Advice (08454 04 05 06) and Trading Standards.

  • Huw Irranca-Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Huw Irranca-Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Huw Irranca-Davies on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government’s position is in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations on meat treated with antibiotics as growth promoters entering the UK food chain; and if she will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    The use of antibiotics as growth promoters has been banned in the EU since 2006. Third countries permitted to export to the EU are required to have equivalent standards, therefore meat from those countries entering the EU should not contain residues of these substances.

  • Nigel Dodds – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Nigel Dodds – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what level of assistance his Department has provided to rebels in Syria; what form such support has taken; and what steps he is taking to prevent its misuse.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We have provided more than £20 million this year to support the moderate opposition, including the National Coalition who we recognise as the sole legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. In May this year the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), laid a written ministerial statement before Parliament announcing the lifting of the temporary hold on gifting to the Supreme Military Council and the intention to resume delivery of £1 million of non-lethal equipment as soon as is practical. Recipients of this assistance have been carefully selected to prevent equipment being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations. The UK is not supplying weapons to anybody in Syria.

    The equipment we provide, including to the armed opposition groups, has undergone intense scrutiny to ensure that we are providing the best possible support and that we meet all our national and international obligations. The equipment has been scrutinised to ensure its provision is consistent with export controls under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and EU restrictions on the provision of goods to Syria (as agreed by Member States on 27 May 2013).

    We have also supported the opposition’s political umbrella group, the National Coalition, with advisory and practical support. This has included strategic communications advice, and advice on internal governance arrangements. We have also supported the National Coalition’s delivery arm, the Interim Government, as they expand their plans to deliver services in opposition-held areas inside Syria. We have also funded a range of projects in support of civil society and activist groups both inside and outside Syria, which have included those documenting human rights abuses. The then Foreign Secretary announced in May that we would spend £30 million in support to the Syrian opposition and to bolster regional security.

  • Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Burns on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the right hon. Member for Chelmsford can expect a response from the Chief Executive of NHS England to his letter of 30 May 2014 on his constituent Mr John McPhee.

    Jane Ellison

    NHS England has confirmed that my Rt. hon. Friend’s correspondence is currently being actioned and apologise for not providing a response sooner.

    The matters raised by the constituent are currently the subject of an ongoing complaint investigation with the Essex Area Team of NHS England. NHS England can reassure my Rt. hon. Friend that a complaints manager has been in contact with the constituent (who has also raised a complaint direct with NHS England) to discuss their concerns and agree a way forward for resolution.

  • Tessa Munt – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Tessa Munt – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tessa Munt on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, to what extent NHS England is obliged to follow guidance issued by Monitor.

    Jane Ellison

    It is the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 that place requirements on NHS England, including requirements as to good practice in relation to procurement.

    Enforcement of the procurement requirements by Monitor may only follow its investigation of a complaint that there has been a failure by a commissioner to comply with the requirements. Monitor has published guidance for NHS England and other commissioners of healthcare services which provides advice on how to comply with the regulations. Monitor expects to follow the interpretation of the regulations that it has set out in its guidance when exercising its enforcement powers under the regulations.

    In addition, to the extent that NHS England acts as a commissioner of services, it has a legal duty to have regard to guidance which Monitor publishes for commissioners of services which are designated as ‘commissioner requested services’. Before publishing the guidance or any revisions to it, Monitor must have first consulted NHS England.

  • Mark Pritchard – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Mark Pritchard – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Pritchard on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with Transport for London the installation of hand sanitisers on London Underground trains and platforms.

    Jane Ellison

    Hand sanitisers can make an additional useful contribution to reduction of carriage of bacteria and viruses on the hands. However, the mainstay for reduction in transmission of bacteria and viruses remains regular washing of hands with soap and water. There has not been a trial of the use of hand sanitisers in public places such as train stations so there is no evidence for how effective an intervention like this might be. The Director of the London office of Public Health England and health advisor to the Mayor of London will raise the issue with Transport for London.