The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerald Howarth on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance she has given to Ofsted about age-appropriate questioning of pupils regarding sexuality and transsexualism during inspections.
Mr David Laws
No guidance has been given by the Department for Education on this matter as the issuing of guidance to Ofsted inspectors is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of pressure being put on the Central Bank of Libya by terrorist organisations to release funds from that bank to those organisations; and if he will make available to that bank technical advice and assistance from the UK Government on security and fraud prevention in response to that pressure.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK remains deeply concerned about the political and security crisis in Libya, and the increasing threat from terrorist entities in the country. On 22 January 2015 the United Nations Support Mission in Libya condemned a reported armed attack against the Central Bank branch in Benghazi and called for an independent inquiry. The EU Foreign Affairs Council stated on 9 February 2015 that the independence and proper functioning of the Central Bank of Libya, National Oil Corporation and other key financial institutions must be preserved and protected. The EU condemned actions against Libya’s national assets, financial institutions and natural resources, which risk depriving the Libyan people of the benefits of the sustainable development of their economy.
We fully support the United Nations’ mediation efforts towards a ceasefire and a stable political settlement in Libya. Only political dialogue can address this crisis and protect those independent government institutions whose role is to safeguard Libya’s resources for the good of all Libyans. As part of the UN Security Council, the UK has condemned attempts to intimidate and obstruct the proper functioning of Libya’s financial institutions. In addition, the UK funds technical advice and training through the World Bank to Libyan institutions on public financial management. The programme is aimed at putting in place the foundations of more accountable and transparent processes, reducing the scope for fraud and corruption.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what alternative provision his Department is offering to the users of the Epping Chase Surgery, Clacton for access to primary care in response to that surgery’s closure.
Dr Daniel Poulter
The provision of primary medical services is a matter for NHS England.
NHS England’s Essex Area Team advises that, since February 2014, the Epping Close Surgery has been temporarily relocated on Kennedy Way, Clacton, following a serious water leak at its original premises.
To date, there have been no complaints from patients about the relocation, which has enabled the practice to continue to provide healthcare to patients.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to require the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to produce further regular scientific reviews of the evidence concerning the safety and effectiveness of mitochondrial donation.
Jane Ellison
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 require the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to assess each application for mitochondrial donation on a case-by-case basis. This will include consideration of the evidence of safety and effectiveness.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tracey Crouch on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make an assessment of the merits of increasing (a) funding and (b) other Government support for (i) the KCA Riskit Project and (ii) other early intervention programmes on drug and alcohol misuse by young people, and if he will make a statement.
Jane Ellison
Ring-fenced 2015/16 public health allocations allow local authorities to plan and commission the services their communities need most, including those for young people vulnerable to risk taking behaviour such as the Riskit Project, and others including prevention and early intervention programmes. Schools can and do pay for these programmes and local authorities and the National Health Service are also free to find additional funds for them.
The case for early intervention and prevention is clear as the consequences of poor health in adolescence last a lifetime and incur costs in the long run.
This assessment underpins Public Health England’s significant early intervention and prevention support offer. This includes the ‘Young people’s health and wellbeing: a framework for public health’ and the Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat) site, which provides data and guidelines to support to local authorities. Government also funds the Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Information Service which is a platform for sharing information and resources aimed at schools and practitioners working in drug and alcohol prevention.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents of use of force there were in each private prison in England and Wales in each year since 2010.
Andrew Selous
Unfortunately it has not been possible to fully extract the relevant data with regards to this question in the given timeframe. I will write to the Hon. Member when I am able to provide a response.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department plans will be made of the crashworthiness of any D78 London Underground train that is converted to mainline use.
Claire Perry
The assessment of the “crashworthiness” of a train is a matter for the prospective operator of that train.
The “Crashworthiness” of rail vehicles is regulated and assessed by standards, laid down in the TSIs (Technical Specifications for Interoperability) and supported by ENs (Euro Norms, or standards). A vehicle’s compliance with these requirements is verified by an independent body, suitably appointed for the task.
There is no government proposal to convert D78 London Underground stock to mainline use.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to increase the Pension Protection Fund payment cap.
Steve Webb
The Pensions Act 2014 provides for an increase to the Pension Protection Fund compensation cap of 3 per cent for each year of pensionable service above 20 years, to a maximum of double the standard cap. Changes are needed to secondary legislation before the primary legislation comes into force and we are currently aiming for this work to be completed by Autumn this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2015-02-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the number of people currently paying income tax who would not pay that tax if the threshold at which it begins to be payable were to be raised to £15,000 per annum.
Mr David Gauke
It is estimated that raising the personal tax allowance to £15,000 in the year 2015-16 would take 6.2 million individuals out of income tax liability at a cost of £26 billion to the Exchequer.
These estimates are based on the 2011-12 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward to 2015-16 using economic assumptions consistent with the OBR’s December 2014 economic and fiscal outlook.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2015-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people are in receipt of a war disablement pension in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland.
Anna Soubry
The number of recipients of war disablement pensions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, can be found below:
|
Country |
Number |
|
England |
89,450 |
|
Wales |
6,925 |
|
Scotland |
11,890 |
|
Northern Ireland |
3,680 |
|
Other UK |
340 |
|
UK Unknown |
345 |
|
Not Known |
135 |
|
Total |
112,765 |
Notes:
1. Other UK includes Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
2. In line with Defence Statistics’ Rounding Policy, all figures of five or more have been rounded to the nearest 5. Due to rounding, the figures provided may not sum to totals.