Tag: 2015

Mary Glindon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Glindon on 2015-09-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) total and (b) average monthly cost has been of the nationally co-ordinated detached duty scheme for prison officers since that scheme’s introduction.

Andrew Selous

Using centrally held financial records it is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to determine the costs of the nationally coordinated detached duty scheme.

Information on the average monthly provision of Band 3 to 5 prison officers received as part of the nationally coordinated detached duty scheme, since November 2013, are shown in the table below. November 2013 was the first full month of the nationally coordinated detached duty scheme.

Average provision of Band 3 to 5 Prison Officers on detached duty to public sector prisons in England & Wales, November 2013 – June 2015

Month	Equivalent Full Time Officers
Nov 2013	110
Dec 2013	210
Jan 2014	210
Feb 2014	160
Mar 2014	130
Apr 2014	210
May 2014	160
Jun 2014	170
Jul 2014	230
Aug 2014	240
Sep 2014	230
Oct 2014	240
Nov 2014	230
Dec 2014	240
Jan 2015	260
Feb 2015	230
Mar 2015	210
Apr 2015	190
May 2015	260
Jun 2015	270

All figures in the tables are rounded to the nearest 10, with numbers ending in 5 rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Rounding to 10 accurately depicts the level of certainty that is held with these figures. Values of 5 or fewer are denoted as ‘~’

November 2, 2022

Adam Afriyie – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Afriyie on 2015-09-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will introduce a cap on the amount of public money used to fund surface access costs arising from the construction of a new airport runway at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government is currently considering the large amount of very detailed analysis contained in the Airports Commission’s final report, including its examination of the costs and financing of the schemes, before taking any decisions on next steps.

In terms of surface access proposals, the Government has been clear that it expects the scheme promoter to meet the costs of any surface access proposals that are required as a direct result of airport expansion and from which they will directly benefit.

November 2, 2022

Lord Laird – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officials work in each section of the Northern Ireland Office.

Baroness Randerson

The number of staff working in each business group of the Northern Ireland Office in January 2015, the latest period for which figures are available, is shown below:

Business Group	Number of Staff
Senior Management	6
Business Delivery	40
Security and Protection	31
Legacy	23
Community Engagement	15
Economic Constitutional and Political	19

November 2, 2022

Lord Kilclooney – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kilclooney on 2015-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus by International Consolidated Airlines, whether they have made representations to safeguard the slots at Heathrow airport for flights by British Airways and Aer Lingus to Belfast City; and whether they have made representations to safeguard the slots at Gatwick airport for flights to Belfast City.

Baroness Kramer

The Government does not currently consider that there is a risk of air services between Belfast and London being lost. The routes remain commercially viable, with nearly two million passengers carried on almost 19,000 flights between the two Belfast airports and the five main London airports in 2013.

EU Regulations govern the allocation, transfer and exchange of slots at Heathrow, Gatwick and other slot co-ordinated airports in the UK. The purpose of the EU Slot Regulations is to support the operation of a single market for aviation by seeking to ensure airlines have fair and equal access to airports across the EU through the application of independent, non-discriminatory and transparent slot allocation procedures. The Regulations stipulate that the actual process of slot allocation is undertaken entirely independently of the Government, the UK Civil Aviation Authority or other parties. The Government has therefore made no representations to safeguard Heathrow or Gatwick slots for air services from Belfast.

In circumstances where vital air connectivity would be lost, EU law does provide some limited scope to protect regional air services by allowing Member States to establish public service obligations (PSOs) to protect air services to airports serving a peripheral or development region, or on thin routes considered vital for a region’s economic and social development. Where a PSO has been approved, this would permit slots to be ring-fenced at a London airport. There is no other mechanism for the Government to intervene in the allocation of slots at London airports.

As part of the 2013 Spending Round the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced that £20million would be made available over the two years 2014-15 and 2015-16 through a Regional Air Connectivity Fund to maintain regional air access to London through the establishment of PSOs where there was the probability that an existing air service would be lost. The 2014 Budget announced a doubling of the Regional Air Connectivity Fund to maintain existing connectivity to London.

November 2, 2022
Lord Patten – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2015-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government which European Union legislation they have considered in framing the proposed draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015; what view they have taken on the applicability of the European Union legislation; and what is the basis for their view.

Earl Howe

As I said in the debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 on 24 February 2015 (columns 1570 and 1617-8) the Government is satisfied that the Regulations do not contravene any aspect of European Union law. It has carefully considered recent arguments relating to the Clinical Trials Directive (Directive 2001/20/EC) but is satisfied that the Directive is not relevant in this context as it relates to clinical trials of medicines.

November 2, 2022
Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what incentives he is providing to encourage investment from Commonwealth countries in the UK.

Matthew Hancock

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is the Government department that works to encourage foreign direct investment into the UK.

UKTI’s has teams focussed on attracting inward investment in Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand and all UKTI teams in Commonwealth countries together with UK based UKTI staff provide support for companies or funds considering inward investment into the UK.

November 2, 2022
Christopher Chope – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to publish the Government’s response to the review of gambling advertising before the General Election.

Mrs Helen Grant

Yes.

November 2, 2022
Steve Baker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Baker on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the government of Germany on financial contributions for British victims of thalidomide.

Mr David Lidington

The British Ambassador to Berlin has recently raised the issue of compensation for British survivors of Thalidomide with the German Families Minister Manuela Schwesig. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently working with the Thalidomide Trust to secure a meeting between the Trust and the relevant German authorities in support of their campaign to seek compensation for British survivors of Thalidomide.

November 2, 2022
Keith Vaz – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2013-14.

Jane Ellison

Figures for the number of people newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2013-14 are not yet available. The National Diabetes Audit for 2013-14, which will contain the information requested, is due to be published in late 2015.

November 2, 2022
Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the success of efforts to reduce the potential radicalisation of British Muslims in the UK.

James Brokenshire

Work to stop people being drawn into extremist and terrorist activity remains
a priority and is focused on: limiting the circulation of terrorist and extremist
material on the internet, supporting more resilient communities and ensuring
individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism are provided with the support they
need.

In March 2014 we launched a new tool for the public to report terrorist
material to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU). Public
referrals have tripled since it launched. Working in partnership with industry,
the CTIRU refers unlawful terrorist content to them for removal.

Since February 2010, CTIRU has secured the removal of over 75,000
pieces of unlawful terrorist content with 75% of this total removed since
December 2013.

Radicalisation does not only happen online. We continue to disrupt
propagandists who seek to radicalise vulnerable people directly and counter
their narrative. The police and agencies routinely take action against those
who promote terrorism under our existing terrorist legislation. In the year
ending 30 June 2014, there were 239 persons arrested for terrorism related
offences.

We also exclude foreign nationals from the UK on the grounds of
unacceptable behaviour. Training on awareness of radicalisation now includes
specific advice in relation to travel to Syria and Iraq. We have trained
130,000 frontline staff who may come into contact with potential travellers and
run courses equipping parents to identify risks and have the confidence to seek
support should they need it.

The police, local authorities and all sectors included in the Prevent duty have
a vital role to play in responding to concerns that individuals are being drawn
into terrorism and extremism. Where specific concerns have been raised and
individuals consent, the multi-agency Channel programme provides tailored
support to people identified as at risk of radicalisation.

November 2, 2022