The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2016-05-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost to the public purse was of the Notifications of Inadequate System Margin issued on 9 May 2016 by the National Grid; and if she will make a statement.
Andrea Leadsom
There was no cost to the public purse resulting from the Notice of Inadequate System Margin issued on 9 May.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the proposed purpose is of the review into sentencing of motoring offences and penalties.
Dr Phillip Lee
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.
The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve the process for GPs referring patients to mental health services.
Nicola Blackwood
NHS England is aware that some general practitioners (GPs) experience difficulties with access to secondary mental health services. In line with the recommendations of the Mental Health Taskforce, NHS England mental health team is working to introduce a suite of evidence based treatment pathways spanning the main mental health conditions and covering the journey from referral to treatment and through to recovery. These will help to ensure that GPs have the information they need to refer people swiftly to the right services, offering the right treatment for their particular mental health needs. Pathways and associated standards have already been introduced for common mental health disorders Psychological Therapies services, first episode psychosis and community-based eating disorder services for children and young people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received on the interpretation and implementation of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide in relation to the killings by Daesh of Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq; what response he has made to such representations; what steps he is taking to establish an international consensus on that issue; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Adama Dieng was appointed UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide on 17 July 2012. His role is to: raise awareness of the causes and dynamics of genocide; to alert relevant actors where there is a risk of genocide; and to advocate and mobilise for appropriate action. The Office of the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect has made a number of statements in relation to the situation in Iraq and Syria. These statements can be found on the UN website, and cover a range of issues including: incitement to violence in Syria on religious grounds; expressing concern about the on-going threat to the safety of minority groups in Syria; and expressing alarm at reports of the abduction of 1,500 Yezidi, Christian and Shabak women and girls.
Any judgement on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations, and to prevent their further escalation, irrespective of whether these violations fit the definition of specific international crimes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with the Defence Police Federation on the (a) level of morale and (b) terms and conditions of service within the Ministry of Defence Police; and if he will make a statement.
Mark Lancaster
I met the National Chairman of the Defence Police Federation on 17 December 2015 to review the status of the ongoing negotiations on changes to Ministry of Defence Police terms and conditions of service. I would expect any issues associated with the morale of the Force to be raised and discussed at the Ministry of Defence Police Joint Consultative Committee that is chaired by the Chief Constable.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many applicants to the Pubs Code Adjudicator vacancy were subject to departmental clearance checks; and how many applicants did not pass those checks and for what reasons.
Anna Soubry
In accordance with standard departmental practice, successful candidates are subject to departmental clearance checks.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many times he has attended public meetings of the Welsh Affairs Committee since his appointment.
Alun Cairns
I have not been required to attend any meetings with the Welsh Affairs Committee since my appointment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-05-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what parts of the UK the President of Colombia will visit during his state visit in November 2016.
Mr Hugo Swire
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to my answer to PQ 38282.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Natalie McGarry on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the effect of (a) benefit sanctions and (b) work capability assessments on people living with disabilities in (i) Glasgow and (ii) other parts of Scotland.
Damian Hinds
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer to question 905768 which was provided by Justin Tomlinson MP, the Minister for Disabled People at that time, which can be found at:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2016 to Question 44396, what the overall cost to the public purse of administering the NHS Low Income Scheme in England has been in each of the last three years.
David Mowat
The direct costs of administering the NHS Low Income Scheme in England in the last three financial years are set out in the table. The figures do not include overheads associated with the wider infrastructure of the NHS Business Services Authority.
|
Year |
Direct costs (England only) (£ million) |
|
2015/16 |
£1,327 |
|
2014/15 |
£1,397 |
|
2013/14 |
£1,414 |
Source: provided by the NHS Business Services Authority
There is no apparent reason for the decrease in the numbers of HC3 certificates issued between 2008 and 2016. There has been no significant change to the scheme criteria nor the rules for calculation during this period. However, as the application numbers have decreased, there has been a corresponding decrease in the certificates issued.