Tag: 2015

  • Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the The Lord Chairman of Committees

    Lord Marlesford – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the The Lord Chairman of Committees

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

    To ask the Chairman of Committees which peers who were Members of the House of Lords throughout the 2014–15 parliamentary session attended on fewer than 25 per cent of sitting days, indicating in respect of each peer the number of days attended.

    Lord Laming

    The House sat for 126 days in the 2014/15 Session and therefore members needed to attend at least 32 times to reach an attendance rate of 25%. For the purposes of this answer: an attendance is counted as an attendance in the Chamber, in Grand Committee, in a Select Committee or a vote in the division lobbies.

    The following members attended on fewer than 32 days. The figures do not include members who joined part way through the Session, members who died or retired part way through the session, or members who were disqualified or on leave of absence throughout the Session. Some of the Members listed were unwell and have since died, and some took leave of absence in the next Session. In discharging their parliamentary duties members of the House of Lords can draw substantially on experience and expertise gained outside Parliament. Therefore members may devote considerable time to maintaining and increasing that knowledge.

    Members who took leave of absence for part of the Session and attended fewer than 25% of total days that they were eligible to attend:

    Days attended

    Total sitting days that member was eligible to attend.

    Dixon, L.

    0

    32

    Mogg, L.

    0

    35

    Janner of Braunstone, L.

    0

    36

    Hutton, L.

    1

    109

    Brooks of Tremorfa, L.

    2

    27

    Evans of Parkside, L.

    2

    35

    Thomas of Walliswood, B.

    3

    41

    Other members who attended fewer than 32 times:

    Days attended

    Grabiner, L.

    0

    Healey, L.

    0

    Inge, L.

    0

    Mayhew of Twysden, L.

    0

    Neill of Bladen, L.

    0

    Saville of Newdigate, L.

    0

    Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, L.

    0

    Archer of Weston-Super-Mare, L.

    1

    Baldwin of Bewdley, E.

    1

    Browne of Madingley, L.

    1

    Goldie, B.

    1

    King of Lothbury, L.

    1

    Peel, E.

    1

    Weidenfeld, L.

    1

    Williamson of Horton, L.

    1

    Bell, L.

    2

    Cameron of Lochbroom, L.

    2

    Campbell of Loughborough, B.

    2

    Ezra, L.

    2

    Falkender, B.

    2

    Malloch-Brown, L.

    2

    Turner of Ecchinswell, L.

    2

    Wolfson of Aspley Guise, L.

    2

    Alliance, L.

    3

    Burns, L.

    3

    Carter of Barnes, L.

    3

    Heseltine, L.

    3

    Lloyd-Webber, L.

    3

    Sacks, L.

    3

    Tombs, L.

    3

    Sharman, L.

    4

    Parkinson, L.

    4

    Bamford, L.

    5

    Coe, L.

    5

    Feldman, L.

    5

    London, Bp.

    5

    Smith of Kelvin, L.

    5

    Waldegrave of North Hill, L.

    5

    Wilson of Dinton, L.

    5

    York, Abp.

    5

    Collins of Mapesbury, L.

    6

    Freyberg, L.

    6

    Fritchie, B.

    6

    Guthrie of Craigiebank, L.

    6

    Williams of Oystermouth, L.

    6

    Wolfson of Sunningdale, L.

    6

    Haughey, L.

    7

    Rogers of Riverside, L.

    7

    Stevenson of Coddenham, L.

    7

    Winchester, Bp.

    7

    Young of Graffham, L.

    7

    Darzi of Denham, L.

    8

    Kestenbaum, L.

    8

    Nickson, L.

    8

    Rotherwick, L.

    8

    Chelmsford, Bp.

    9

    Hall of Birkenhead, L.

    9

    Myners, L.

    9

    Renwick of Clifton, L.

    9

    Richards of Herstmonceux, L.

    9

    Bristol, Bp.

    10

    Rix, L.

    10

    Browne-Wilkinson, L.

    11

    O’Donnell, L.

    11

    Vallance of Tummel, L.

    12

    Carrington, L.

    12

    Browne of Ladyton, L.

    12

    Drayson, L.

    12

    Glendonbrook, L.

    12

    Green of Hurstpierpoint, L.

    12

    Leach of Fairford, L.

    12

    Sheffield, Bp.

    12

    Currie of Marylebone, L.

    13

    Hattersley, L.

    13

    Macfarlane of Bearsden, L.

    13

    Mandelson, L.

    13

    Ryder of Wensum, L.

    13

    Sassoon, L.

    13

    Truro, Bp.

    13

    Blackwell, L.

    14

    Canterbury, Abp.

    14

    McCluskey, L.

    14

    Tordoff, L.

    14

    Davies of Abersoch, L.

    15

    Hogg, B.

    15

    Leitch, L.

    15

    Neuberger, B.

    15

    Tanlaw, L.

    15

    Willoughby de Broke, L.

    15

    Falconer of Thoroton, L.

    16

    Hardie, L.

    16

    Haskins, L.

    16

    Montagu of Beaulieu, L.

    16

    Palumbo of Southwark, L.

    16

    Saatchi, L.

    16

    Stair, E.

    18

    Levene of Portsoken, L.

    18

    Edmiston, L.

    18

    Imbert, L.

    18

    Joffe, L.

    18

    Worcester, Bp.

    18

    Birmingham, Bp.

    19

    Kalms, L.

    19

    Lichfield, Bp.

    19

    Owen, L.

    19

    Patten of Barnes, L.

    19

    Young of Old Scone, B.

    19

    Feldman of Elstree, L.

    20

    Livingston of Parkhead, L.

    20

    Smith of Leigh, L.

    20

    Allan of Hallam, L.

    21

    Chadlington, L.

    21

    Chandos, V.

    21

    Durham, Bp.

    21

    Leicester, Bp.

    21

    Portsmouth, Bp.

    21

    Greenfield, B.

    22

    Macdonald of River Glaven, L.

    22

    Valentine, B.

    23

    Home, E.

    23

    Howard of Lympne, L.

    23

    Montgomery of Alamein, V.

    23

    Rochester, Bp.

    23

    Richardson of Calow, B.

    24

    Rosslyn, E.

    24

    Stern of Brentford, L.

    24

    Alli, L.

    25

    Magan of Castletown, L.

    25

    Puttnam, L.

    25

    Cullen of Whitekirk, L.

    26

    Levy, L.

    26

    Mar and Kellie, E.

    26

    Moore of Lower Marsh, L.

    26

    Palumbo, L.

    26

    Walker of Gestingthorpe, L.

    26

    Manningham-Buller, B.

    27

    Fellowes of West Stafford, L.

    27

    Turnbull, L.

    28

    Carswell, L.

    29

    Sugar, L.

    29

    Goldsmith, L.

    30

    Coventry, Bp.

    30

    Walker of Aldringham, L.

    30

    Cohen of Pimlico, B.

    31

    Judge, L.

    31

    Krebs, L.

    31

    Shaw of Northstead, L.

    31

    Sheldon, L.

    31
  • Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the UK has offered to Central African Republic with preparations for elections in that country in December 2015.

    James Duddridge

    Free, fair and inclusive elections are critical for the Central African Republic’s future stability, and for successful future reconciliation. As such, the UK supports the Constitutional Court’s ruling that all citizens of the Central African Republic, including internally displaced people and refugees in neighbouring countries, have the right to vote in upcoming elections. The UK is supportive of an EU Election Mission to the Central African Republic. The UK contributes to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic and is one of the largest humanitarian donors to the country, providing £58 million since 2013 to Central African Republic and Central African Republic refugees through non-governmental organisations and international organisations.

  • Baroness Jones of Whitchurch – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Baroness Jones of Whitchurch – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make it cheaper and easier for food businesses to donate surplus food to charities rather than dispose of it via anaerobic digestion.

    Lord Gardiner of Kimble

    We have taken action to ensure that more surplus food is redistributed to people before being put to any other use through our voluntary agreements with the grocery and hospitality sectors. If surplus food cannot be prevented, the next best option is to ensure it is redistributed for human consumption. Signatories to the Courtauld Commitment, which includes UK retailers and food manufacturers, have reported a 74% increase in food redistribution between 2012 and the end of 2014 and we expect it to increase further.

    In January this year the Secretary of State for Defra and the Minister for Civil Society brought together key players from retail, food manufacturing and redistribution organisations to agree new actions to further increase levels of food redistributed. A working group is driving this forward to waste less and redistribute more. The Group is developing a partnership model to provide a consistent framework for providers and recipients of surplus food to reach agreement on working together. Research has also been commissioned from the Waste and Resources Action Programme, which will identify where and why waste and surpluses occur in the food chain to identify what action can be taken to increase waste prevention and redistribution.

    There will always be some unavoidable food waste. The Government’s Anaerobic Digestion Strategy is in place to reduce the amount of organic material going to landfill and drive the waste that is produced into energy recovery or recycling.

  • Mrs Cheryl Gillan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Mrs Cheryl Gillan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Cheryl Gillan on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to improve access for patients with muscular dystrophy to hydrotherapy services.

    George Freeman

    NHS England is responsible for commissioning specialised neurological services, which includes services for patients with neuromuscular disorders. NHS England has published a service specification for neurological care, which sets out what providers must have in place to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services. The specification can be found at the following link:

    www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d04-neurosci-spec-neuro.pdf

    Specialised neuromuscular care may include referral to local physiotherapy, hydrotherapy or rehabilitation if appropriate, however the commissioning of hydrotherapy services is a matter for local clinical commissioning groups. There are no plans to conduct a national review of hydrotherapy provision.

  • Lord Vinson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Vinson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Vinson on 2015-11-10.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the last 12-month period for which figures are available, how many applications have been made under the European Arrest Warrant for prosecution of British nationals overseas, and of those, how many have been (1) agreed to, and (2) rejected.

    Lord Bates

    In the 2014/15 business year the National Crime Agency (NCA) received 127 European Arrest Warrants for British citizens. During the same period 40 British citizens were extradited under an EAW.

    The number of EAWs for British citizens which resulted in a discharge by the courts during this same period is not held centrally.

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that doctors from the EU working in the NHS have adequate English skills to practice.

    Ben Gummer

    In 2014 powers were given to the General Medical Council to enable them to carry out proportionate language checks on doctors from the European Union who wish to practise in the United Kingdom. This is a major step forward for quality of care and patient safety by ensuring that only doctors with adequate English language skills are able to practise in the UK.

    Local checks are also carried out by individual employers as part of their recruitment processes.

  • Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2015-11-10.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the future role of NHS Foundation Trusts in the NHS.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    We will continue to discuss the role of foundation trusts (FTs) in the National Health Service with the leaders of NHS Improvement as the organisation moves to a more aligned approach to the regulation and oversight of FTs and NHS trusts.

    The clinical and economic sustainability of all trusts is of paramount importance, and NHS Improvement will continue to support NHS providers to determine the most appropriate means of securing their long-term future.

    The NHS Trust Development Authority is continuing to refer organisations to Monitor for FT authorisation decisions. No decisions have yet been made about how this activity will be undertaken by NHS Improvement from 1 April 2016.

  • Stephen Timms – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Stephen Timms – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with HM Treasury on whether people resettled in the UK under the vulnerable persons programme will be able to access banking services.

    Richard Harrington

    Refugees who are resettled under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme are granted a five year humanitarian protection visa and can therefore access banking services in the UK.

  • Joan Ryan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Joan Ryan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Joan Ryan on 2015-11-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing three-year funding plans for further education colleges.

    Nick Boles

    Any changes to funding of colleges will need to be seen in the wider context of other reforms. Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation set out our plans to increase local influence over further education (FE) and skill funding. We shall announce further reform to FE and skills funding systems following the spending review.

  • Tulip Siddiq – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Tulip Siddiq – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much has accrued to the public purse from criminal courts charges since their introduction.

    Mr Shailesh Vara

    Data relating to the criminal courts charge for the period April to September 2015 will be published on 17 December 2015.

    Enforcement action is taken against the total amount an offender owes and offenders are often ordered to pay more than one type of financial imposition.

    The cost of enforcing the criminal courts charge cannot be separated from the total cost of enforcing all types of court ordered financial impositions.

    It is not possible to identify how many people have had a criminal courts charge imposed in magistrates or crown courts or for specific offences without carrying out a manual search of all financial imposition accounts which would incur disproportionate costs.