The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff employed in his Department was in each of the last three financial years.
Amber Rudd
DECC does not hold this information centrally. Gathering this information from individual and local records would incur disproportionate costs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Joan Walley on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to introduce biodiversity offsetting; and whether ancient woodland will be exempt.
George Eustice
The Government is not proposing any policy change regarding biodiversity offsetting at this point. As recommended by the Environmental Audit Committee and others, Defra waited for – and is considering – the report on the six offsetting pilots before making any further decisions.
The Government has always been clear that any policy change regarding offsetting would not alter existing protections in the planning system such as those for ancient woodland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of cataract surgery procedures that were carried out by West Midlands NHS trusts in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Jane Ellison
The sum of Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs) with a main or secondary procedure of; (a) IVF cycle procedures, (b) cataract surgery procedures, (c) hip replacement operations, (d) knee replacement operations, (e) varicose vein surgery procedures and (f) breast reduction operations carried out by West Midlands NHS Trusts in 2013-14 is shown in the attached table.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress NICE has made on establishing Quality Standards on adult hearing loss.
George Freeman
I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr Roger Godsiff) on 4 February to Question 222487.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department spent on training in each of the last three financial years.
Mr Desmond Swayne
Spend on Training and Development is managed through individual DFID Departments and Country Offices, and therefore providing this information can only be achieved at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John McDonnell on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what costs may be incurred by a victim when applying for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Mike Penning
According to latest figures, in the financial year 2013-14 we made payments totalling more than £242m to victims of violent crime.
We also aim to make our application process as simple as possible. Applicants need only complete one form when applying to Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and we have an online application service. Those who have no access to online services, or who need additional support, can apply by phone. Depending on the nature of the claim, applicants may be asked to provide evidence to support their claim, for example: medical reports or employment information.
In the last financial year 94 per cent of applicants we surveyed after receiving their decision, including people who were refused compensation, said they were happy with our service.
Where necessary, CICA will ask applicants to provide basic medical evidence to support their claim. Applicants are expected to meet the cost of a medical report up to the value of £50. If additional medical information is required this will be paid for by CICA. If an applicant cannot afford to pay for the initial medical report, CICA will pay and deduct this from any award of compensation made. There are no other charges associated with making a claim.
An application received in one financial year may not necessarily be resolved in the same financial year. Although we aim to make compensation payments as quickly as possible, we have a duty to the taxpayer to investigate claims properly while ensuring that the applicant gets the level of compensation they deserve. In some cases it may not be in the best interests of an applicant to finalise a claim before the long term implications of an injury can be properly assessed.
|
Question |
2013 |
2014 |
|
(224448) How many victims were granted compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority |
21,846* |
16,238* |
|
(22449) How many people applied for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority |
33,574 |
32,297 |
*This is the total number of victims compensated and their claims concluded within those calendar years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will conduct or commission an investigation into the knock-on effects of current engineering works at London Bridge.
Claire Perry
Network Rail and train operators Southern and Thameslink are fully aware of the issues that caused the disruption to services into London Bridge from 5 January. Since that date they have worked closely to resolve these issues and improve reliability.
Network Rail, Southern and Thameslink have committed to incorporate lessons learned from these events into the planning of future phases of work at London Bridge. They will also incorporate lessons learnt from the disruption seen at Kings Cross and Paddington over Christmas and the recommendation included in the recent ORR report into these issues.
I do not consider a further investigation necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Green on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Written Statement of 10 February 2015, HCWS 269, on Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme, what the additional administrative safeguards referred to in that statement are.
Mr Mark Harper
The administrative safeguards are related to audit, management information and ongoing support of the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office. They provide additional insight into the live running of the Scheme for the insurance industry, but do not impact in any way upon the Scheme itself.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Bradshaw on 2015-02-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much revenue is raised through the O licences of goods vehicles.
Baroness Kramer
The revenue that has been raised by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is £8.2m for the 10 months ending 31 January 2015 (£9.9m for the full year in 2014) from Operator Licences of Goods Vehicles.
The Christmas Broadcast made by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 25 December 2015.
At this time of year, few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.
The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.
In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife. We have returned to that island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders; and this year I met another group of leaders: The Queen’s Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a symbol of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.
Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead — I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice. It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us. Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly hard. But it’s also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.
It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking seventy years since the end of the Second World War. On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned. The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the slowest ever, because so many people wanted to say ‘thank you’ to them.
At the end of that War, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square. It has five hundred lightbulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all faiths, and of none. At the very top sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.
The custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert’s time. For his family’s tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular family.
For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus’s birth — in a stable – were far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country. It’s no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.
Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ’s unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another. Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn’t be discouraged; rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.
One of the joys of living a long life is watching one’s children, then grandchildren, then great grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree. And this year my family has a new member to join in the fun!
The customary decorations have changed little in the years since that picture of Victoria and Albert’s tree first appeared, although of course electric lights have replaced the candles.
There’s an old saying that “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness”.
There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today. Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives.
I wish you a very happy Christmas.