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Tag: 2015

  • Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ranil Jayawardena on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of mobile telephone operators in order to ensure that customers receive the service that they pay for and are properly compensated if they do not; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    There are a number of coverage and quality measures that apply to communications providers; for example, spectrum licence conditions on mobile coverage and targets for Openreach on repair and installation times for fixed line and broadband services. Ofcom is working with the main broadband providers and mobile operators to ensure that appropriate redress is available to consumers when necessary, including when coverage and quality is unsatisfactory. Consumers can also seek redress on an individual basis, under the term implied into service contracts by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, that the service will be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Effective from 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes clear the rights of redress for consumers who do not receive a service that conforms to their contract; depending on circumstances, suitable remedies can include a price reduction, compensation or a right of exit.

  • Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that domestic energy suppliers are passing on reductions in the wholesale prices of electricity and gas to consumers.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Strong competition in the energy supply market is the best way to keep prices down. The Government is committed to ensuring that the market works effectively for consumers, including through implementing the final recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority following their investigation. In the meantime we will continue our focus on keeping bills down through promoting competition, making switching quicker and easier, and providing direct help to the most vulnerable.

  • Sarah Champion – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Sarah Champion – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Champion on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Egyptian government on the prosecution of Azza Soliman, a women’s right lawyer; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We are aware of the case of Azza Soliman and concerned at the circumstances under which Ms Soliman became a defendant. We have raised Ms Soliman’s case with the Egyptian Ambassador in London, most recently on 23 April 2015. In September 2015, FCO officials held meetings in both London and Cairo with Ms Soliman, to discuss her case. We have also discussed this case with our partners in Cairo and have been represented at the trial hearings through the EU. We will continue to raise our concerns with Egyptian Government.

  • Guto Bebb – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Guto Bebb – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Guto Bebb on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2015 to Question 8491, whether interim commissioning arrangements are being considered for nivolumab lung cancer.

    George Freeman

    NHS England is aware that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is reviewing the use of nivolumab in lung cancer, and is likely to report shortly. NHS England has therefore advised that it intends to await the NICE recommendation rather than develop interim arrangements.

  • Jonathan Edwards – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Jonathan Edwards – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what capital expenditure there was on (a) Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall) and (b) Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre in each financial year from 2008-09 to date.

    Mr Shailesh Vara

    The capital expenditure for Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall) and Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre is provided below.

    Financial Year

    Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre

    Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall)

    2008-09

    0

    0

    2009-10

    0

    £229,421

    2010-11

    0

    0

    2011-12

    £60,000

    0

    2012-13

    £291,771

    £1,130,092

    2013-14

    £11,715

    0

    2014-15

    0

    0

    This included essential maintenance and replacing equipment which had come to the end of its life, all of which were necessary for the court to function.

  • Paul Monaghan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Paul Monaghan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many vehicles were purchased through the Motability scheme for each full calendar month in tax years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16; what the cost to the public purse was of those vehicles; and what the cost to the public purse was of vehicles purchased to replace vehicles earlier withdrawn from claimants who lost mobility allowance but later won return of that allowance on appeal.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The Department does not routinely collect information on the numbers of people who have had to return a Motability vehicle nor on whether they were successful on appeal. This information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

    Motability is an independent registered charity. It is not sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Department works closely with Motability and facilitates the transfer of benefit to Motability on behalf of those claimants who have chosen to join the Motability Scheme. The Scheme purchases vehicles which are then leased to Scheme customers. The purchase of the vehicles is funded by the Scheme and there is no cost to the public purse.

    Responsibility for the charity’s policies and operational strategy falls to the Governors and Director of Motability. Motability is wholly responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme including collating its own management information. Questions about the number of vehicles returned to Motability and number of vehicles purchased can be sent to: Declan O’Mahony, Director, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 5PX.

  • Margaret Greenwood – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Margaret Greenwood – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Greenwood on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the financial stability of foundation trusts.

    George Freeman

    The Department and Monitor make continual assessments of the financial performance of foundation trusts via a risk assessment framework which includes monthly reports to Monitor.

    Where necessary, interim financing may be provided. The Department will require the development and delivery of a recovery plan and trusts to sign up to a set of conditions aimed at delivering efficiencies.

    This Government will invest an additional £10 billion the National Health Service said it needs: £2 billion this year and a commitment to meet the £8 billion identified by NHS England in the Five Year Forward View by 2020.

  • Philip Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Philip Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2015-09-16.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 27 July 2015 to Question 7826, what his definition is of a contentious grant; and whether any grants have come into this category since October 2014.

    Greg Hands

    The principles and guidance for government departments set out in Managing Public Money explain that departments need Treasury consent before undertaking expenditure. Specific Treasury approval is required for any spending outside delegated authorities or which set precedents, are novel, contentious or could cause repercussions elsewhere in the public sector. Managing Public Money does not seek to define these terms beyond their normal meaning, but does include the Treasury’s expectation (in respect of certain payments) that the responsible accounting officers would feel able to justify proposed payments in parliament if challenged.

    The scheme described in response to Question 7826 was established in line with these principles.The Treasury was not asked to give specific approval to any of the grants made since 2014 under section 64 of the Health and Public Health Act 1968 mentioned in the Hon. Member’s previous question.

  • Douglas Carswell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Douglas Carswell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-09-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will make representations to the EU on ensuring that local authorities are not unduly influenced to publish material supporting a vote to remain a member of the EU.

    Mr David Lidington

    Under the terms of the draft Referendum Bill, local authorities will be subject to the same statutory restrictions on what they can publish in the final 28 days of the campaign as other public bodies. Both ministers and officials have discussed the UK referendum with the European Commission. The European Commission has informed us that they view the referendum as a matter for the British people, and do not intend to take part in the campaign.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Nicholas Soames – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-09-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on liabilities arising from contract renegotiations in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    Ministry of Defence contracts are negotiated and amended as necessary during the course of normal business. In terms of which contracts were renegotiated and the liabilities paid, I am withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.