The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-17.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many employed people worked from home in each of the last five years.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by on 2014-04-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement in Practical Steps to Improve Management Information in Government that ill-informed public comment can create a conflicting incentive on departments and reduce the impartiality of reporting and thereby data integrity”
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
The Government’s position is to be as transparent as possible. We consult widely on what data should be published in Dr Martin Read’s report "Practical Steps to Improve Management Information in Government” commissioned by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2012 and regularly consider publication of performance data as part of this consultation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 2014-06-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much has been spent in each of the last five years to adapt National Health Service hospitals for obese people.
Earl Howe
This information is not collected centrally. Decisions on spending are a matter for local National Health Service organisations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Rooker on 2014-04-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 26 March (WA 122), what are the relevant trigger dates for consideration of any documents they may hold relating to Hilda Murrell.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
The relevant trigger date for the one file that the HO holds relating to Hilda Murrell is July 2014 when Home Office will make an application to that month’s Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council to allow this file to be transferred to The National Archives. Providing this application is approved, this file will be available for perusal by members of the public by 31 December 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Storey on 2014-06-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many schools will not have the facilities to provide hot meals in September.
Lord Nash
The Department for Education is providing funding, expert advice and support to assist schools in offering hot meals to all infant pupils from September.
There will be a range of ways that hot meals are provided in schools, with some being fully prepared on site and others transported in. The vast majority of schools are on track to offer free school meals to all their infant pupils in September, and we have made it clear that we expect them either to offer hot options immediately, or to work towards doing so as soon as possible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much of the £60 million provided to support proof of concept development of near-market agricultural innovations described in A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies has been allocated.
Mr David Willetts
To date eleven feasibility studies have been agreed, which will be supported by £2.8 million of Government funding and £1.4 million of industry co-investment. A further tranche of funding will be announced shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2014-06-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to address transgender patient discrimination in the National Health Service.
Earl Howe
We expect people with transgender issues to have the same access to National Health Service treatment, including mental health services, as anybody else in the population. Mental Health has been a priority for this Government for several years now. We made this commitment explicit in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 which, for the first time, creates equal status for mental and physical health across Government and for the NHS and social care.
Since April 2013, gender identity services have been commissioned by NHS England. NHS England will continue to work with the transgendered community, clinical experts and stakeholders through the clinical reference group for gender identity services, to produce a single and consistent policy for the whole of England.
In order to ensure equitable access to services, an England-wide Interim Protocol was consulted on, developed and became operational on 1 November 2013. The Protocol is based on the previously published and well received Scottish Protocol. The Protocol relies on the publication of the Inter-Collegiate “Good practice guidelines for the treatment of adults with gender dysphoria” published at the end of October 2013. A fully consulted policy document and service specifications will be published during 2014.
In addition, NHS England has commissioned a review of transgendered patients’ access to the NHS. This review has considered all aspects of access to NHS services and is currently being finalised in readiness for publishing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities affected by the recent floods are offering council tax discounts to flooded-out householders under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
Brandon Lewis
[Holding Reply: Thursday 3 April 2014]
My rt. hon. Friend, the PrimeMinister announced on 19 February 2014 that Government will reimburse local authorities for providing council tax discounts for flooded homes. 48 local authorities have reported that they had already offered discounts by 17 March, with a further 63 planning to do so in using their discretionary powers under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. It is for local authorities to determine whether they wish to take up the Government’s offer of funding, depending on the precise scale and extent of local flooding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-06-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to G4S about the legal implications of its remaining involvement with the Israeli Prison Service until 2017, in the light of Article 76 of the 4th Geneva Convention and its application to the detention of Palestinians.
Baroness Warsi
The UK considers that Israel’s detention of Palestinian prisoners within Israel is contrary to Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and have clearly stated this position to Israeli officials. We have also made clear our concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees in meetings with G4S. International law does not impose direct obligations on corporations. However, the Government encourages British companies to show respect for human rights in their operations in the UK and internationally.
In September 2013, we launched the UK Action Plan based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This is voluntary guidance which British businesses can consult on doing business in Israel and OPTs, but ultimately it is the decision of an individual or company concerned.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to encourage the use of alternatives to chlorine as a disinfectant in drinking water; and if he will make a statement.
Dan Rogerson
By law, water companies are required to supply safe drinking water at the tap. Companies are free to choose the technology they use to treat water and in doing so are required to ensure it is correctly designed, operated and maintained. Increasingly a combination of filtration and ultra violet light is used by companies in England and Wales as an alternative to chlorine.