Tag: 2014

  • Barry Gardiner – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Barry Gardiner – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2014-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which air quality monitoring stations went off-line in each year since 2010-11; and on what dates they were off-line.

    Dan Rogerson

    Defra operates an extensive monitoring network of nearly 300 sites in order to assess air quality in the UK and report to the EU for compliance. Many of these sites have multiple instruments measuring different pollutants.

    The Automatic and Urban Network has 130 sites that provide information on five key pollutants on an hourly basis. Information from this network is updated hourly on the UK Air website to provide the most recent data to the public.

    An extensive Programme of maintenance, auditing and site inspections is required to maintain the networks operation. EU directives state that instruments must be operational for a minimum period of time for data to be reported and these requirements are met in our annual compliance reporting.

    It is therefore not possible to provide information on the specific times when instruments were not operational during the last four years, but I refer the hon. Member for Brent North to the UK’s annual compliance report for statistics regarding data capture at each site, at:

    http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/index

    “

  • Biography information for Ms Diane Abbott – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Biography information for Ms Diane Abbott – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Ms Diane Abbott on Business, Innovation and Skills.

    1

    Mr David Willetts

    As highlighted in the International Education Strategy, there is no cap on the number of genuine overseas students who can come to the UK, nor do we have plans to introduce one. This has been reaffirmed by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

    Government and the sector are taking every opportunity to promote the warm welcome the UK extends to international students, notably using the ‘Britain is GREAT’ campaign. For example, the High Commission in Delhi began work last year (with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Trade and Investment and the British Council) to promote positive messages on UK education at outreach events, exhibitions and road shows in some of India’s biggest cities.

    Early indicators for 2014 show there was an increase in the year to March 2014 in the number of visa applicants for higher education institutions (+7%). UCAS figures, to May 2014, for undergraduate applications suggest a 7% increase from non-EU countries.

  • Helen Goodman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Helen Goodman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2014-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list all meetings Dmitry Firtash has had at his Department since May 2010.

    Mr David Lidington

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials met Dmitry Firtash on 24 February to discuss developments in Ukraine and support for Ukraine from the international community. They did not discuss matters of national security. The meeting was part of a wider approach by the FCO to understand better the situation in Ukraine, by seeking information and views from a wide range of contacts, including senior business figures. The Government does not have plans to publish a note of the meeting at this time. According to our records, Dmitry Firtash has not attended any other meetings with the FCO in London.

  • Biography information for Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Biography information for Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Simon Kirby on Communities and Local Government.

    1

    Brandon Lewis

    The council tax referendum principles are proposed annually by the Government and subject to the approval of the House of Commons. We are open to representations on the principles for 2015-16 and how local residents can continue to be protected from unwanted council tax rises.

    A further council tax freeze offer is available for local authorities in 2015-16, and we would encourage all local authorities, including Brighton and Hove, to take up that opportunity.

  • Iain McKenzie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Iain McKenzie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain McKenzie on 2014-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for the Emergency Services Mobile Communication programme; and what steps she is taking to ensure that commercial operators offer a service at least equivalent to the existing service.

    Karen Bradley

    The current Airwave Solutions Ltd contracts were let under a 20 year Private Finance Initiative arrangement, with a series of 15 year contracts, which expire over the period from September 2016 to December 2020.

    The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme aims to introduce a replacement for Airwave, as current contracts expire from September 2016. The requirements have been developed in partnership with the emergency services and we are running an open and fair competition in accordance with government guidelines.

    The aim is to provide a replacement solution which is at least equivalent to the existing service, but not necessarily delivered in the same way.

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

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

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Maria Eagle on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

    1

    Dan Rogerson

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy), on 17 June 2014, Official Report, column 516W.

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women have been charged with child sex offences but not convicted in each of the last three years.

    Simon Hughes

    The proportion of offenders given custody for sexual offences has increased since 2003.

    The number of female defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty or not guilty at all courts for sexual offences against children, in England and Wales from 2008 to 2012 (the latest data available), can be viewed in the table.

    Court Proceedings data for calendar year 2013 are planned for publication in May 2014

    Charging data is not held by the Ministry of Justice.

  • Biography information for Anas Sarwar – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Biography information for Anas Sarwar – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Anas Sarwar on International Development.

    1

    Lynne Featherstone

    The roots of the conflict in Central African Republic (CAR) are complex and whilst the recent inter-communal violence is primarily targeting Muslim inhabitants, Christian communities have also fallen victim to sectarian killings. Much of the Muslim population of CAR has fled, including traders who were overwhelmingly Muslim.

    DFID is funding agencies such as UNHCR, Mercy Corps and the ICRC to implement protection programmes in CAR, including conflict resolution and social cohesion activities. DFID has contributed £18 million in 2014 towards the crisis. The UK is also supporting the international efforts to restore peace and security and has welcomed the adoption of UNSCR 2149 authorising the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission (MISCA).

  • Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sadiq Khan on 2014-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals who have served their sentence but are awaiting deportation there are in each prison.

    James Brokenshire

    The number of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) detained in prison beyond the
    end of their sentence pending deportation (as of 31 December 2013) is shown in
    the table below:

    Prison Name

    Total

    HMP & YOI Isis

    10

    HMP Addiewell

    *

    HMP Altcourse

    *

    HMP Aylesbury

    5

    HMP Barlinnie

    5

    HMP Bedford

    5

    HMP Belmarsh

    10

    HMP Birmingham (Winson Green)

    15

    HMP Brinsford

    5

    HMP Bristol

    5

    HMP Brixton

    10

    HMP Bronzefield

    10

    HMP Bullingdon

    25

    HMP Bure

    5

    HMP Cardiff

    5

    HMP Channings Wood

    *

    HMP Chelmsford

    15

    HMP Coldingley

    *

    HMP Dartmoor

    *

    HMP Deerbolt

    5

    HMP Doncaster

    10

    HMP Dorchester

    *

    HMP Dovegate

    *

    HMP Drake Hall

    5

    HMP Dumfries

    *

    HMP Durham

    *

    HMP Eastwood Park

    *

    HMP Edinburgh

    5

    HMP Elmley

    5

    HMP Elmley (Sheppey Cluster)

    30

    HMP Erlestoke House

    *

    HMP Everthorpe

    *

    HMP Exeter

    *

    HMP Featherstone

    5

    HMP Feltham

    15

    HMP Forest Bank

    15

    HMP Garth

    *

    HMP Glen Parva

    10

    HMP Guys Marsh

    5

    HMP Haverrigg

    *

    HMP Hewell

    15

    HMP High Down

    15

    HMP Highpoint North

    20

    HMP Highpoint South

    10

    HMP Holloway

    15

    HMP Holme House

    5

    HMP Hull

    *

    HMP Huntercombe and Finnamore

    35

    HMP Lancaster Farms

    *

    HMP Leeds (Armley)

    15

    HMP Leicester

    10

    HMP Lewes

    5

    HMP Lincoln

    20

    HMP Lindholme

    5

    HMP Littlehey

    15

    HMP Liverpool

    10

    HMP Long Lartin

    *

    HMP Low Newton

    *

    HMP Maidstone

    45

    HMP Manchester

    10

    HMP Moorland

    20

    HMP New Hall

    *

    HMP Northumberland

    *

    HMP Norwich

    10

    HMP Nottingham

    15

    HMP Oakwood

    5

    HMP Parc

    5

    HMP Pentonville

    45

    HMP Peterborough

    15

    HMP Portland

    5

    HMP Preston

    *

    HMP Ranby

    15

    HMP Risley

    15

    HMP Rochester

    *

    HMP Send

    *

    HMP Shotts

    *

    HMP Stafford

    5

    HMP Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster)

    *

    HMP Stoke Heath

    5

    HMP Styal

    *

    HMP Swinfen Hall

    *

    HMP Thameside

    35

    HMP The Mount

    10

    HMP Wakefield

    *

    HMP Wandsworth

    45

    HMP Wayland

    *

    HMP Whatton

    *

    HMP Winchester

    *

    HMP Wolds

    *

    HMP Woodhill

    15

    HMP Wormwood Scrubs

    60

    HMP Wymott

    5

    Grand Total

    850

    1. All figures quoted have been derived from management information and are
    therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been
    quality assured under National Statistics protocols.
    2. Figures relate to main applicants only.
    3. Figures relate to criteria FNO cases only.
    4. Figures rounded to the nearest 5 ( – = 0, * = 1 or 2) and may not sum to the
    totals shown because of independent rounding.
    5. Data is a snapshot of individuals detained in prison on 31 December 2013.

    We make every effort to ensure that a person’s removal by deportation
    coincides, as far as possible, with his/her release from prison on completion
    of sentence. Where a detainee refuses to cooperate with the removal or
    deportation process, detention may be prolonged.

    The Immigration Bill will have a significant impact on the ability of FNOs to
    delay removal by mounting legal challenges whilst in the UK. The current
    appeals system means that 17 different types of decision can be appealed. The
    Immigration Bill will simplify the appeals system and mean that appeals can
    only be brought where the Home Office has refused a protection (asylum or
    humanitarian protection) claim, a human rights claim or a claim based on EU
    free movement rights. It will also give us the power to certify that where
    deportation will not cause serious irreversible harm, the appeal will be heard
    after the offender has left the country.

  • Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Green on 2014-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish his Department’s risk assessment of the transfer of his Department’s contract with Atos Healthcare for provision of work capability assessments to a new provider; and what steps he is taking to mitigate the risks identified in that assessment.

    Mike Penning

    The transition from Atos Healthcare to the new provider in 2015 provides a further opportunity to improve the service the Department offers to claimants and customers. The Department will manage the transition carefully to mitigate the impact on claimants and customers and to further mitigate any risks the new provider will initially use elements of the Atos infrastructure already in place, including IT, Estate and Atos employees (subject to TUPE).

    The priority for the new provider will be to deliver the best possible service for claimants, increase the volume of assessments carried out and reduce waiting times.