Tag: 2016

  • Kevin Foster – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Kevin Foster – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Foster on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to prevent discrimination against people with dyslexia in the Armed Forces.

    Mark Lancaster

    Dyslexia is one of four specific learning difficulties (SpLD, including dyspraxia, dyscalculia and scotopic sensitivity syndrome) recognised by the Armed Forces which are not a bar to recruitment or service in the Armed Forces, as long as all applicable recruitment, training and job performance standards are met in full. SpLD are viewed by the Armed Forces as naturally occurring differences in learning that, through targeted support and the implementation of coping strategies, can generally be successfully mitigated. Many dyslexic Armed Forces personnel are enjoying successful careers.

    Individuals affected by SpLD are eligible for specific support which may include reasonable adjustments to training and working environments. SpLD is recognised as being an issue that is principally and proactively managed by the individual, supported where necessary by their Chain of Command and not a condition which should draw undue attention, impractical or unmanageable special measures or stigma.

    Detailed policy guidance on SpLD is accessible at unit level through Joint Service Publication (JSP) 898 ‘Defence Direction and Guidance on Training, Education and Skills’. In addition, the single Services have trained SpLD advisors who can offer advice, guidance and a range of strategies to help individuals get the support they need. These advisors administer the dyslexia adult screening test (DAST) to assess personnel once a trainer, trainee, line manager or member of the Services suspect dyslexia. The test is not mandatory; it is administered only with the individual’s consent. The DAST result will determine whether further specialist assessment by an educational psychologist is required and also provide a profile of strengths and weaknesses which will support any necessary remedial training programme.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the budget is for projects in (a) Israel and (b) the Palestinian territories within the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (i) in 2016-17 and (ii) as projected for 2017-18.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    ​(i) The total allocation for 2016-17 for both Israel and the OPTs is £7m. It is not separated into individual, distinct budgets as some of our projects and implementing partners deliver simultaneously in both (a) and (b).

    (ii) We do not yet have a projected budget for 2017-18 so cannot provide this information.

  • Jake Berry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Jake Berry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jake Berry on 2016-01-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many applications by grandparents for permission to apply for a child arrangement order were active in the final quarter of 2015.

    Caroline Dinenage

    This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-02-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the volume of (a) office equipment and (b) printer cartridges sent to landfill sites in the UK in each of the last three years.

    Rory Stewart

    Neither Defra nor the Environment Agency hold any specific data on waste office equipment. The data on waste tonnages accepted in disposal and recovery facilities is based on standard European Waste Classification (EWC) codes. These codes do not map directly to waste office equipment. Therefore, the data provided is based on the most relevant codes. These relate to ‘wastes from electrical and electronic equipment’, ‘separately collected fractions from municipal wastes’ for discarded electrical equipment and ‘wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of printing inks’. Figures for discarded equipment will not include office equipment only.

    Waste electrical and electronic equipment and waste printer cartridges accepted at landfill sites in England (tonnes):

    2012

    2013

    2014

    Discarded waste electrical & electronic equipment*

    101.03

    99.64

    134.92

    Waste printer cartridges**

    134.15

    159.30

    136.57

    * based on EWC code 160213.160214, 200135, 200136.

    ** based on EWC code 080317, 08318.

  • Robert Neill – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Robert Neill – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Neill on 2016-02-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of applications for Disclosure and Barring Service checks (a) nationally, (b) in London and (c) in Bromley and Chislehurst constituency met the published service standards for waiting times in the last 6 months.

    Karen Bradley

    The published service standards are to complete 85% of disclosure applications within 21 days and 95% within 56 days. The tables below show the proportion of applications which met the service standards a) nationally, b) in London and c) in Bromley and Chislehurst.

    A) Nationally

    Month

    % Completed within 21 Calendar Days

    % Completed within 56 Calendar Days

    Aug-15

    83.4%

    94.9%

    Sep-15

    87.3%

    95.1%

    Oct-15

    87.6%

    95.4%

    Nov-15

    86.3%

    94.5%

    Dec-15

    86.0%

    94.3%

    Jan-16

    85.8%

    93.9%

    Total

    86.1%

    94.7%

    B) London

    Month

    % Completed within 21 Calendar Days

    % Completed within 56 Calendar Days

    Aug-15

    83.5%

    86.7%

    Sep-15

    85.2%

    87.6%

    Oct-15

    85.7%

    88.1%

    Nov-15

    83.7%

    86.2%

    Dec-15

    80.8%

    85.5%

    Jan-16

    81.2%

    83.9%

    Total

    83.5%

    86.4%

    C) Bromley and Chislehurst

    Month

    % Completed within 21 Calendar Days

    % Completed within 56 Calendar Days

    Aug-15

    85.9%

    89.1%

    Sep-15

    86.5%

    89.7%

    Oct-15

    85.4%

    88.9%

    Nov-15

    86.5%

    89.5%

    Dec-15

    80.2%

    86.2%

    Jan-16

    84.7%

    87.7%

    Total

    84.9%

    88.6%
  • Hilary Benn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Hilary Benn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress on implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia.

    Mr Philip Hammond

    Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission was created in 2005 and concluded in 2010 when it presented its final report. The Government of Liberia has taken some steps to implement the recommendations of the Commission, notably launching the Strategic Roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in 2014. A key plank of that Roadmap has been the launch of the “Palava Hut Programme”. This draws on a traditional approach to reconciliation whereby those implicated in the civil war meet with affected communities to agree a resolution. However, obstacles to implementation of the Commission’s recommendations remain. As one of the main contributors to the UN Peacebuilding Commission’s Peace Building Fund, which funds the "Palava Hut Programme", the UK will continue to press for progress on the Commission’s recommendations, including in the context of UNSC discussions.

  • Anne Main – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Anne Main – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anne Main on 2016-05-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on infraction proceedings in each of the last 10 years.

    David Mundell

    I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my Rt hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General today to UIN 36288.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-06-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had on (a) complete and (b) partial privatisation of the National Health Service’s Property Services.

    George Freeman

    The Department is always looking at ways to realise efficiencies and value for money from the use of its assets and investments, and this includes its investments in companies like NHS Property Services.

  • Lyn Brown – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lyn Brown – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lyn Brown on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on allegations of beatings and torture, including rape, in official and unofficial detention centres in Turkey in the period following the failed coup in July 2016.

    Sir Alan Duncan

    The Government condemns unreservedly this failed coup. In the aftermath of the coup attempt we have emphasised the need for Turkey to respect human rights, including press freedom, and the rule of law. The Foreign and Commonwelath Office has also raised concerns about reports of ill-treatment in detention. The Turkish Government’s response to the coup attempt should be lawful and proportionate, and undertaken in line with Turkey’s international obligations.

  • 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 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what processes the Government has in place to check luggage on flights to the UK at (a) departing airports with known security concerns and (b) the destination airport.

    Mr John Hayes

    Under international treaties administered by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), all contracting states are responsible for the implementation of aviation security regimes in their own airports, to be applied according to a number of standards and recommended practices set out by ICAO.

    Baggage belonging to air passengers arriving in the UK is screened for security purposes at the airport of departure and would only be re-screened if the passenger was taking an onward flight from a UK airport.

    The standards of aviation security applied to flights inbound to the UK are a priority for the Department for Transport. The Department deploys a network of skilled professionals to engage with host states supporting the improvement of standards in aviation security. This is to ensure the protection of all inbound UK flights, out of those regions by identifying and mitigating security risks, including vulnerabilities at international airports worldwide.