The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ruth Cadbury on 2016-05-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to source additional funding for any shortfall in funding between what Heathrow Airport Limited commits to pay for a third runway and the estimated cost.
Mr Robert Goodwill
All of the promoters have proposed privately-funded schemes, and as privately-owned companies we expect airports to fund the development of new airport capacity fully.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2016-06-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he made of the potential effect of changes to personal injury law and procedure announced by the Chancellor in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, on the recoupment of NHS treatment costs before that announcement was made; and if he will make a statement.
Dominic Raab
The Ministry of Justice received and analysed data from numerous sources when formulating the announcement in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. It will continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders including other Government Departments, solicitors and insurers in taking forward the new reforms. The Government will consult on the detail of these measures in due course. The consultation will be accompanied by a detailed impact assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Greaves on 2016-09-05.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether train operating companies are required to offer the cheapest relevant ticket to passengers at ticket offices, on websites and from ticket machines; and if so, what action they are taking to make sure that this happens in all cases.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Rail passengers are protected by the National Rail Conditions of Carriage and also the terms of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA), an inter-operator agreement that governs, among other things, the retail of rail tickets. These provisions safeguard passengers’ interests by requiring train operators to provide clear information and to sell the most suitable ticket for their journey. This will, in many cases, be the cheapest ticket. Operators are required, under the terms of the TSA, to ask sufficient suitable questions in order to ascertain and sell the best ticket for each passenger’s needs.
There are a wide range of tickets on offer, including some very low-priced fares which allow more people to travel by rail. However, we recognise that this choice can often be confusing for passengers. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) have worked with industry to develop a Code of Practice on ticket retailing, this was published in March 2015. The aim of this Code is to give passengers clearer information and access to the most appropriate tickets, regardless of the sales channel. . Working alongside the ORR in its role as consumer regulator, we continue to challenge the industry to address the remaining issues as soon as possible. The Rail Minister has also raised this with the Rail Delivery Group that represents all train operating companies as there is clearly more to be done.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-10-20.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 17 December 2015 to Question 20232, what progress the Financial Conduct Authority has made in its investigation into issues relating to the Connaught fund.
Simon Kirby
This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government.
This question has been passed on to the FCA. They will reply directly to the Honourable Member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Norman Lamb on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress he has made on the creation of a new role for a part-time neuromuscular psychologist at the Colman Centre in Norwich.
Jane Ellison
NHS England advises that the post of neuromuscular psychologist is a specialised service, for which NHS England is the responsible commissioner.
We understand that Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust has yet to submit a business case to NHS England for the post.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will review the operation of the Lord Lyon King of Arms Act 1592 in respect of the restrictions it places on the granting of arms.
John Penrose
Following representations from Ruth Davidson MSP and others, and the strength of feeling concerning the Ayr united and Airdrieonians Football clubs, we have considered the matter and concluded that the judicial functions of the Lord Lyon are devolved to the Scottish Parliament under paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998. Accordingly, any question in relation to the judicial functions of the Lord Lyon is for Holyrood rather than Westminster.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Royston Smith on 2016-03-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure refugees who arrive in the UK (a) are effectively integrated into local communities and (b) do not place a burden on local authorities.
Richard Harrington
The United Kingdom has a long and proud tradition of providing safe haven to those who genuinely need our protection. People granted refugee status are given access to the labour market and to benefits; in addition, an integration loan is available to help new refugees to integrate into UK society by offering financial support towards housing costs, employment and training.
Since 2010 we have provided over £50 million to support integration projects and activities which treat people as equal British citizens and build stronger communities where everyone can live and work successfully alongside each other.
We are working with those local authorities who have agreed to receive Syrian refugees to build systems that can meet the needs of more people more quickly whilst minimising the impact on local communities. At the Spending Review the Government committed £129 million to assist with local authority costs over years 2-5 of the scheme. The first 12 months of a refugee’s resettlement costs are fully funded by central government using the overseas aid budget.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mancroft on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hepatitis C patients NHS England is planning to treat in 2016–17.
Lord Prior of Brampton
NHS England is planning to treat 10,000 patients with chronic hepatitis C in 2016/2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Knight on 2016-05-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential effects on auto enrolment of the roll-out of the lifetime ISA.
Justin Tomlinson
Automatic enrolment is the cornerstone of this Government’s private pension reforms, normalising pension saving and reversing the decade long decline in pension savings prior to introduction in 2012. It has been a great success to date with over 6 million people enrolled and opt-outs low at around 10 per cent.
The Lifetime ISA is not a part of the pension system but an additional flexible savings product that can complement pension saving but not replace it. Increasing the choice of savings products available, it aims to support the Government’s ambition to encourage a regular savings habit amongst young people and to create a culture of medium and long term saving at different points in people’s lives.
The Budget 2016 Lifetime ISA costing, certified by the OBR, did not anticipate any revenue impact from individuals opting-out of their workplace pensions in order to save into Lifetime ISAs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christina Rees on 2016-06-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to improve legal education in England and Wales.
Mr Shailesh Vara
The legal profession in England and Wales is independent from government. We want to see an innovative and competitive market that provides people with affordable legal services that they want and need, with regulation that supports the public and consumer interest.
We welcome the Law Society’s survey and will take account of the findings as part of the development of legal services policy.
The legal services regulators have a duty to promote the regulatory objectives set out in the Legal Services Act 2007, including improving access to justice and increasing public understanding of the citizen’s legal rights and duties. The regulators have established the “Legal Choices” website, which provides people with information to help them in deciding whether and how to seek legal advice and the available services they might choose from. The Advicenow website, established by Law for Life, provides information on rights and the law.