The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has made an estimate of the change in the number of donor eggs that will be required by the authorisation of mitochondrial donation.
Jane Ellison
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Tyneside (Mrs Mary Glindon) to PQ 208397 on 11 September 2014.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support his Department is providing to research into the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
Jane Ellison
The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds a range of research relating to treatment of Crohn’s disease.
The NIHR has awarded nearly £1.5 million over five years to August 2018 for a research professorship at the University of Oxford. This is focussed on re-defining Crohn’s disease at a molecular level to identify new biomarkers and therapies.
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme is seeking to commission a systematic review looking at whether patients can be identified who may need early intensive treatment in Crohn’s disease.
The NIHR Clinical Research Network is currently recruiting patients to six studies relating to treatment of Crohn’s disease.
The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including Crohn’s disease. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with multiple sclerosis receive adequate treatment, care and support.
Norman Lamb
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance Multiple sclerosis: management of multiple sclerosis in primary and secondary care, updated in October 2014, sets out best practice on the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The guidance makes a range of recommendations on drug based treatments for MS, but also highlights the importance of involving professionals who can meet the needs of the patient in the best way, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
With regard to early diagnosis, MS is a difficult condition to diagnose as a number of the symptoms such as fatigue, depression or dizziness may be unrelated. The guidance sets out a number of initial presentations that clinicians should be aware of when looking for signs of MS. It also recommends a number of assessments a clinician should make, including testing of vision and blood tests before referral to a consultant neurologist, who can confirm or exclude a diagnosis of MS, subject to investigation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Shuker on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what financial contribution the Government plans to make to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The UK is currently the third largest donor to the UNRWA General Fund providing £106.5 million between 2012-2015. In response to the Gaza conflict last summer, the UK also provided an additional £9 million to the UNRWA Gaza Flash Appeal. Future funding decisions for contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) will be informed by an assessment of need.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the total value of contracts her Department has with private sector providers was in each of the last five years for which records are available.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
My Department receives procurement services from the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. All contracts agreed with either Crown Commercial Services or the Central Procurement Directorate are available on their respective websites:
CCS – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/crown-commercial-service
CPD – http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/cpd
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl Turner on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what operational regulations or arrangements are in place to ensure that Northern Rail and TransPennine Express services always have another member of staff on board the train in addition to the driver.
Claire Perry
The Department does not specify the numbers of staff or how they should be deployed, as this is something that the operators are much better placed to understand and manage than we are.
Train operating companies have to abide by all appropriate health and safety requirements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) number, (b) value and (c) proportion is of incorrect payments made to claimants of universal credit since the scheme was introduced.
Steve Webb
This information is not readily available for publication and to quality assure this management information to Office for National Statistics quality standards, would incur disproportionate costs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2015-02-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what arrangements his Department has put in place for situations where application forms requesting an increase in local housing allowance (LHA) to cover an increase in rent applied to an eligible LHA claimant are lost by his Department and the applicant consequently faces eviction.
Steve Webb
The Department for Work and Pensions provides funding for Housing Benefit to Local Authorities in Great Britain. Responsibility for the day to day administration of Housing Benefit lies with Local Authorities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Austin Mitchell on 2015-02-12.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the notional value of derivatives held by banks regulated by the UK authorities is; and what information his Department holds on the maturity and exposure of such derivatives.
Andrea Leadsom
HM Treasury does not preserve specific information relating to the value, maturity or exposure of derivatives. Aggregate data on the derivative positions of UK banks is collected every quarter and made publicly available online by the Bank of England. The specific balance sheet position on derivatives for each bank will be published regularly in their annual report to shareholders.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his Department’s training budget was in each of the last three financial years.
Mrs Helen Grant
DCMS training budget over the last 3 financial years:
Year Budget
| Financial Year | Budget |
| 2014/15 | £250,000 |
| 2013/14 | £315,000 |
| 2012/13 | £315,000 |