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 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) precision-guided munitions and (b) gravity bombs of each type have been dropped in Afghanistan by British (i) fixed-wing aircraft and (ii) unmanned aerial vehicles since 23 March 2011.

    Mr Mark Francois

    The number of precision-guided munitions dropped in Afghanistan in the period requested are shown in the table. No free fall bombs have been dropped in this time.

    Aircraft Type

    24 March 2011 to 16 June 2014[1]

    Fixed Wing

    71

    Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS)

    317

    Use of force remains closely controlled and the avoidance of civilian casualties has been paramount. Professional crews carefully select the smallest warhead appropriate to the target being attacked to ensure they deliver the required effect, while minimising the risk to civilians.

    All UK forces operate in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, following the principles of distinction, humanity, proportionality and military necessity. The UK’s clearly defined Rules of Engagement are formulated on this basis. The same strict Rules of Engagement that govern the use of conventional military aircraft also apply to RPAS and targets are always positively identified as legitimate military objectives. Reaper is the UK’s only RPAS with the ability to deploy precision-guided weapons.

    [1] Inclusive

  • Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    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, what progress he has made in establishing a Centre for Agricultural Informatics.

    Mr David Willetts

    Over the last few months we have held a number of discussions and consultation events to identify priorities for this Centre and others that will follow. Building on this input, a sub-group of the Agri-Tech Leadership Council has developed a specification that will be published later this month. The application process will open shortly thereafter.

  • Emma Lewell-Buck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Emma Lewell-Buck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emma Lewell-Buck on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what research has been undertaken by or on behalf of his Department into the potential (a) benefits and (b) disbenefits to children of further delegation of children’s social care functions.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    The proposals for the further delegation of children’s social care functions build up on the evaluation of the Social Work Practices pilot set in train by the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. This identified evidence of positive change through the delegated arrangements for looked after children and care leavers in the pilot authorities. As a result, the original freedoms in Part 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 were extended to all local authorities.

    Discussions with the pilot local authorities and some other councils, supported the argument that wider delegation would, in some circumstances, benefit children.

    The proposals in the consultation document, is published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/304660/Powers_to_Delegate_Con_Doc.pdf

    “

  • 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, what (a) personnel and (b) assets are participating in NATO’s Baltic Regional Training Events in 2014; and what (i) personnel and (ii) assets participated in the events in each of the last three years.

    Dr Andrew Murrison

    The UK is currently reviewing our contribution to national and NATO exercises in the Baltic Region in 2014; final decisions have not yet been made.

    There are no central records for 2011 and 2012. However, in 2013 the UK provided 124 personnel to the following exercises involving NATO allies:

    Exercise Sabre Strike 13, Latvia 1-14 June 2013.

    Exercise Kevadtorm 13, Estonia 14-25 May 2013.

    In addition the UK provided one mine counter measure vessel (ship’s company of 40 personnel) to:

    Exercise Steadfast Jazz 13, Baltic Sea, November 2013.

  • Dame Joan Ruddock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Dame Joan Ruddock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dame Joan Ruddock on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients who were referred by GPs for tests for suspected cancers at (a) Lewisham Hospital, (b) Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich, (c) Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital and (d) Kings College Hospital were not seen within six weeks of referral in the last six months.

    Jane Ellison

    The information is not available centrally. Whilst information is collected and published every month on waiting times and activity for 15 key diagnostic tests, the data does not identify whether the tests were for suspected cancers or other conditions.

  • 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, 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

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    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.

  • Steve McCabe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Steve McCabe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    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.

  • David Hanson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Hanson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    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

  • 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, 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.