Tag: 2016

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Charlotte Leslie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2016-06-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the mechanisms in place to pursue complaints against private company owners providing dental services in the event that the dentist who carried out the procedure leaves the country.

    Alistair Burt

    A complaint about privately funded healthcare is a matter between the patient and the provider of the service or clinician. However, if the service was commissioned by the National Health Service for NHS patients the NHS complaints regulations will apply and the complaint can be made to either the provider or commissioner of the service but not to both. In the circumstances where a provider is not available the complaint should be made to the commissioner of the service.

  • Steve Reed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Steve Reed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Reed on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the Government’s policy is on requiring local authorities to adopt elected mayors as part of further proposals for the devolution of powers to local areas.

    Andrew Percy

    The Government will continue to work closely with local areas and remains open to discussion on any devolution proposals that include strong, accountable governance and clear accountability, including the adoption of elected mayors.

  • David T. C. Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David T. C. Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David T. C. Davies on 2016-10-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any of the refugees recently admitted to the UK from Calais as children will be subject to dental checks in order to verify their ages.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Home Secretary’s statement on Calais on 24 October (Column 55) referred to the proper safeguarding, age assessment and security checks we carry out, working closely with local authorities and social workers in the UK, to ensure that the children transferred here are eligible to come and it is in their best interests to do so.

  • Poulter – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Poulter – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Poulter on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many recipients of carer’s allowance were in receipt of (a) attendance allowance and (b) personal independence payment in the most recent period for which figures are available.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-02-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work capability assessments were carried out in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

    Priti Patel

    The information requested has been published and can be found at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-claims-made-to-mar-2015-and-appeals-to-sept-2015.

    “

  • MiDavies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    MiDavies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by MiDavies on 2016-03-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking in schools to help young people spot the signs of mental illness.

    Mr Sam Gyimah

    Good mental health and wellbeing is a key priority for this Department. Young people have told us they would like to have opportunities to support each other and help to do this effectively.

    We recently launched a suite of peer support activities, which include a call for evidence for stakeholders and children and young people and funding of up to £1.5m including a new digital innovation fund, to develop reliable, engaging and trusted advice online to help them understand both their own, and their friends mental health.

    We will also be working with a core steering group, and wider advisory group of sector experts, including headteachers, youth leaders and charities, to look at what works in peer support, and how young people can strengthen their own networks.

  • Tom Blenkinsop – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tom Blenkinsop – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Blenkinsop on 2016-03-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which flood defence maintenance works were undertaken in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each year since 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was of each of those works.

    Rory Stewart

    The Environment Agency regularly cleans and maintains several debris screens on the upper reaches of the Ormesby Beck, Middle Beck and Marton West Beck in Middlesbrough. Other maintenance works by the Environment Agency consist of works to maintain, or improve, the flow of water in rivers where it reduces flood risk to homes.

    In accordance with data retention rules, the Environment Agency does not hold financial records for more than five years. The table below outlines expenditure since 2011/12.

    2011 – 12

    2012 – 13

    2013 – 14

    2014 -15

    2015 – 16

    £1,370

    £22,990

    £21,730

    £16,920

    £116,220
  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what regulations address the criminal use of drones; and what plans the Government has to bring forward further regulations related to such activity.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    There are a range of laws in place to regulate the use of drones, prevent criminal use, and enable enforcement action to be taken when needed.

    The Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO) regulates the use of all aircraft, including drones, and provides for a range of offences to guard against criminal use. For example the offences of endangering the safety of an aircraft, and endangering the safety of any person or property, apply to the users of all drones. There are also offences specific to users of small drones, and those using drones for aerial works. Please see at the end of the answer below for a list of these provisions.

    The Civil Aviation (Insurance) Regulations 2005 deal with insurance requirements for drones, and contain offences to enforce these.

    Offences relating to personal data are provided for in the Data Protection Act 1998.

    Other legislation which is not aviation or transport specific may also be relevant to addressing criminal use of drones.

    On future regulation, a proposed new EU Regulation on aviation safety is currently being negotiated with the European Aviation Safety Agency and other EU Member States. This will apply to all drones.

    While the Government considers that there are comprehensive rules in place to guard against criminal use of drones, we continue to keep under careful review whether there is any need for further legislation in this area.

    Provisions in ANO which are enforced by offences listed in Schedule 13 ANO

    a) Relevant to all drones:

    • Article 137 – endangering safety of an aircraft
    • Article 138 – endangering safety of any person or property

    b) Relevant to drones above 20kg (those over 150kg have additional requirements to meet):

    • Article 3 – registration (unless comply with B Conditions – see Schedule 2 ANO)
    • Article 16 – certificate of airworthiness (unless comply with B Conditions)
    • Article 21 – issue of national permits to fly
    • Article 31 – dropping articles for purposes of agriculture etc
    • Article 129 – dropping of articles and animals

    c) Relevant to drones up to 20kg:

    • Article 166 – requirements for small unmanned aircraft

    Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but including equipment):

    • article 166(1) – Causing or permitting an article or animal to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger persons or property.
    • article 166(2) – Flying without being reasonably satisfied that the flight can be safely made.
    • article 166(3) – Failing to maintain direct, unaided visual contact sufficient to monitor flight path.
    • article 166(5) – Flying for the purposes of aerial work without permission.

    Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft 7kg – 20kg (without fuel but including equipment):

    • article 166(4)(a) – Flying in Class A, C, D or E airspace without the permission of the appropriate Air Traffic Control unit,
    • article 166(4)(b) – Flying within an Air Traffic Zone during the notified hours of watch without permission,
    • article 166(4)(c) – Flying at a height of more than 400ft above the surface unless within 166(4)(a) or (b).
    • Article 167 – requirements for small unmanned surveillance aircraft.

    Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but including equipment):

    • article 167(1) – Flight over or within 150m of a congested area,
    • article 167(1) & (2)(b) – Flight over or within 150m of an organised open-air assembly or more than 1,000 persons without permission,
    • article 167(1) & (2)(c) – Flight within 50m of any vessel, vehicle or structure or person (not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft) without permission,
    • article 167(3) – Taking off within 30m of a person (not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft).
  • Rushanara Ali – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Rushanara Ali – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rushanara Ali on 2016-06-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children in England have been detained in immigration removal centres in each year since 2015; how many of those children so detained have been deported; and how many children are still in detention.

    James Brokenshire

    In 2015, 133 children left detention, of which: 50 were removed, 81 were granted temporary admission or release and 2 for other reasons. As at 31 December there were no children held in detention.

    The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within Immigration Statistics. Information on those leaving detention is available in the latest release, Immigration Statistics: January to March 2016, table dt_09 from GOV.UK on the statistics web pages at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

  • Drew Hendry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Drew Hendry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit the imposition of broadband service cessation fees by providers who are unable to provide customers with adequate service.

    Matt Hancock

    Most major broadband providers have signed up to Ofcom’s Residential Broadband Speeds Code of Practice. This requires providers to give new customers, or customers who have changed their service, information on their guaranteed minimum speed. If a customer cannot get this guaranteed access line speed and providers are unable to resolve the problem, the Code states that providers must allow customers to leave their contract without penalty.