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Tag: 2015

  • Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2015-10-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the roll-out of the Liaison and Diversion services schemes; and if he will make a statement.

    Ben Gummer

    Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services operate by referring offenders who are identified as having mental health issues, learning disabilities, substance misuse and other vulnerabilities such as homelessness, into appropriate treatment and support services. L&D services also share appropriate information with justice agencies to assist with justice decisions.

    NHS England commissions L&D services and since April 2015 services have been available to over 50% of the English population. The Department of Health commissioned RAND Europe to conduct an independent evaluation of L&D services. This evaluation will form part of the Full Business Case for national roll out of L&D services, to be submitted to HM Treasury in autumn 2015.

  • Patrick Grady – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Patrick Grady – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-10-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the report of (a) the United Nations Office Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, published in June 2015 and (b) the Independent Advisory Group on Country Information Eritrea, published in May 2015, was taken into account in drafting her Department’s country information and guidance on Eritrea.

    James Brokenshire

    The Home Office considered these reports and they are reflected in the updated country information and guidance on Eritrea. This was published on 9 September and is available online. This includes reference to the IAGCI report, material taken from the UN Commission on Inquiry report on Eritrea and other relevant country information.

  • Gavin Newlands – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Gavin Newlands – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Newlands on 2015-10-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will estimate the number of illegal migrants working in late-night takeaways and off-licences.

    James Brokenshire

    It is not currently possible to quantify accurately the number of immigration offenders in the UK as, by their very nature, those that deliberately evade immigration control to enter and stay in the country illegally are not officially recorded until they come to light and are arrested. The current Immigration Bill includes measures to prevent illegal workers from obtaining and holding licences permitting the sale of alcohol or late night refreshments, as part of a range of provisions continuing the Government’s reforms to tackle illegal working.

  • Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the PCR test for tuberculosis; and if she will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    Defra recently funded a comparative study of several potential tests, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, for detecting Mycobacterium bovis in badger faeces. None of the tests met the minimum levels of sensitivity and specificity. Defra is considering if there are any situations where the current tests can be used informatively on a large scale. PCR is also used to enhance detection of M.bovis in bacterial culture and the EU Reference Laboratory for bovine tuberculosis has also assessed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. (https://www.visavet.es/bovinetuberculosis/ring-trials.php).

    Defra continues to review evidence of effectiveness of the potential diagnostic application of PCR in other situations.

    “

  • 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 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of the situation of the Bahá’i community in Iran.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    The Baha’i community in Iran is subject to mounting persecution, and we are concerned by state efforts to identify, monitor and arbitrarily detain Baha’is. We have repeatedly expressed our concern at the harassment faced by Baha’is in Iran and at the sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders to 20 years in prison. We urge the Iranian Government to ensure that all Iranian citizens are able to practise their faith freely, as required by international conventions.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Gregory Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of junior doctors about their hours and rates of pay.

    Ben Gummer

    Ministers receive regular representations from groups representing junior doctors.

    On 30 September 2015 the Secretary of State met Mark Porter, BMA Council Chair, and Dr Johann Malawana following Dr Malawana’s election as Chair of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee.

    Ministers also meet regularly representatives of Medical Royal Colleges on a range of issues. At a meeting on 30 September doctors working conditions were raised and the junior doctor training experience discussed.

  • Philip Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Philip Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has taken disciplinary action in respect of section 64 grants made to Action on Smoking and Health and their subsequent use.

    Jane Ellison

    Grants awarded under Section 64 of the Health and Social Care Act are awarded at the discretion of the Secretary of State. They are recoverable or can be discontinued if they are not used for the purposes for which they are given.

    The Department considers that the Section 64 grants made to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) have been used for the purpose for which they were given. There have been no grounds on which to take disciplinary action in respect of any section 64 grants made to ASH and their subsequent use.

  • Mark Hendrick – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Mark Hendrick – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many full-time equivalent staff her Department allocated to responding to hon. Members’ enquiries on their constituents’ immigration issues on 1 September (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015.

    James Brokenshire

    It is not possible to provide the Hon. Member with all the information requested as it is not readily available or held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

    UKVI requires many of its staff, as part of their roles, to contribute to dealing with immigration enquiries from Members. This can include providing contributions to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial briefing or for a Select Committee hearing.

    Since 1 September 2015, UKVI has had dedicated MP Account Management teams whose job is to handle MP enquiries relating to their constituents. A total of 70 full-time equivalent staff are currently employed in these teams. Other members of staff will also contribute to the preparation of responses.

    Published statistics confirm that UKVI’s service to Members has continually exceeded its service standard since Q4 2014. The Hon. Member can access this information at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-service-operations-data-august-2015.

  • Andrew Gwynne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Andrew Gwynne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had on recruitment processes for vacancies in the College of Arms.

    Mike Penning

    The Secretary of State for Justice has had no discussions on the recruitment processes for vacancies in the College of Arms and has no responsibility for such.

  • Ian Lavery – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Ian Lavery – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lavery on 2015-10-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials in his Department were involved in preparatory work for London International Shipping Week 2015.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Departmental team of three who lead on maritime promotion and partnership worked on the preparatory work for London International Shipping Week 2015, among their other duties, and were overseen by a Senior Civil Servant.

    Due to the importance, scale and complexity of the week, the core team received ad hoc support and advice from across the Department and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, many of whom were volunteers and assisted alongside their day to day duties.