The below Parliamentary question was asked by David T. C. Davies on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the number of men in the UK who are in polygamous marriages.
Mr Rob Wilson
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2016 to Question 25199, what steps his Department is taking to consult on proposed legislative changes on HGV sideguards; and what the timeframe is for that consultation.
Andrew Jones
The Department is currently preparing the regulatory impact assessment in preparation for the consultation on amendments to the Construction and Use Regulations in the second half of 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which non-UK EU armed forces procure materiel from British companies.
Mr Julian Brazier
In 2014, Europe accounted for 10% of UK defence exports, with a value of approximately £800 million. Additionally, details of all export licences granted in 2014 can be found at;
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491986/16-54-strategic-export-controls-country-pivot-report-2014.pdf,
However this cannot be treated as an exhaustive list of defence exports.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government supports the request made by the Italian government to the Egyptian government to access telephone records relating to the case of Giulio Regeni; and whether he has made representations on that request to the Egyptian government.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We have consistently called on the Egyptian authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation, in support of action by the Italian authorities. I spoke in depth with the Egyptian Ambassador in London on 11 April about Giulio Regeni’s case, including the Italian request for telephone records. We are disappointed by the limited progress made in the case over the last three months and are concerned that Italy has not found the cooperation that Egypt has provided to them to be sufficient.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-06-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what proportion of first year students enrolled onto undergraduate-level nursing degrees in England are studying part-time.
Ben Gummer
The Department does not collect data on the proportion of first year students studying part-time undergraduate-level nursing degrees.
Health Education England (HEE) for this academic year so far has recorded the figures for part-time first year nursing students in training. As at the end of 31 March 2016, 19,451 students are currently enrolled as first year nursing students and 177 of those are part time. This does not include midwifery and HEE has no data prior to this academic year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to make alterations to the rail crossing in Pencoed.
Paul Maynard
Network Rail has responsibility for level crossings and operates at arm’s-length from the Department for Transport. Any alterations will be an operational decision for Network Rail and they are engaging with local stakeholders about options for this rail crossing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will eliminate the import tariffs on canned goods from developing nations when the UK has left the EU.
Greg Hands
The Government is currently reviewing its trade policy as the UK prepares to leave the EU. This offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves in the world: to negotiate and design, in time, our own trade arrangements. The UK remains committed to ensuring developing countries can reduce poverty through trading opportunities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2016-01-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many commissioning policies were developed through the NHS England Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015.
George Freeman
In 2014 NHS England published five clinical commissioning policies and policy statements for the routine of commissioning of new treatments, drugs or devices for specialised commissioning.
In 2015 (up to November 2015), 38 such clinical commissioning policies and policy statements were published.
Decisions for the 2015/16 commissioning round were due to be made in 2014 but this process was deferred to 2015 pending the outcome of public consultation on process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he expects to have body scanners to help detect illicit substances installed in prisons.
Andrew Selous
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) deploys a comprehensive range of robust searching and security measures to detect items of contraband both at the point of entry to the prison and concealed within the prison. NOMS continues to explore new methods of preventing drugs coming into prisons and body scanners are seen as a valuable part of this strategy.
An independent expert panel is assessing the use of a body scanner at HMP Wandsworth, as required by the Justification of Practices Involving lionising Radiation Regulations 2004.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Framlingham on 2016-02-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the dangers posed to trees and shrubs by Xylella fastidiosa, and the experiences of France and Italy in tackling that disease, what steps they are taking (1) to prevent it entering this country, and (2) to deal with any incursion should it occur.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Xylella fastidiosa is a regulated pathogen in the EU under the Plant Health Directive, with strengthened requirements now in place in response to the risk posed by this organism. This includes measures to protect against its introduction from countries outside the EU, as well as requirements to prevent infected material being moved from areas within the EU where it is present.
Xylella fastidiosa is currently not present in the UK and we are taking robust action to protect against its introduction, including restricting high-risk imports, inspecting host material from outside the EU and raising awareness, through publicity and direct interaction with growers and trade associations.
Our aim is to prevent further introductions into the EU as a whole (thereby protecting the UK) and to prevent spread from areas of the EU where it is present. This includes engaging actively with our EU partners and the European Commission on ensuring we have the best possible protective measures in place.
Imports of host plants from outside the EU can now only take place where the pest status of the country or origin has been confirmed and when stringent import conditions have been met. All such imports are inspected at points of entry. Plant species which have been confirmed as a host in the EU must now be accompanied by a Plant Passport, meaning they can only be moved into and within the UK by officially authorised businesses. Additional requirements apply to areas where the pathogen is present to prevent the movement of potentially infected plants from such areas.
Through our delivery bodies we are applying the EU-wide provisions as well as carrying out surveillance visits of premises growing and trading host plants. In the event of an incursion, a full investigation would take place to determine the circumstances and the actions required. Should an outbreak occur, the requirements of the EU Decision would apply, including destruction of infected and potentially infected plants and demarcation of the outbreak area with restrictions imposed in line with the Decision. We are working closely with industry bodies to raise awareness and encourage good practice.