Tag: 2016

  • Baroness King of Bow – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Baroness King of Bow – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-05-23.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the views of surrogates, academics, parents through surrogacy, and legal practitioners, about the case for surrogacy law reform, in particular with regard to legal parenthood following surrogacy.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    Surrogacy is a complex issue, the legislation about which has not been significantly addressed by respective administrations since the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985. The Government recognises the arguments for the need for a review, and we have therefore asked the Law Commission, as part of the consultation on its 13th work programme this summer, to consider including a project on surrogacy

    The Government has accepted the judgment by Sir James Munby from the High Court. We will be looking to update the legislation on Parental Orders, and are now considering how best to do this.

    The Government recognises surrogacy as an important option for some people wishing to start a family and is currently considering how best to clarify the current legal arrangements for intended parents, surrogates and their families. The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service campaign to increase awareness of Parental Orders is ongoing and targeted at health workers, local authority registration staff and surrogacy agencies. It will be evaluated in full upon completion in autumn 2016; in-campaign monitoring indicates its messaging is reaching the target audience.

  • Julian Knight – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Julian Knight – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Knight on 2016-07-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what further steps he plans to take to encourage buy-to-let mortgage lenders to allow longer tenancies.

    Gavin Barwell

    My Department has worked closely with the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) to encourage longer term tenancies in properties with a buy to let mortgage, including during the development of our Model Tenancy Agreement (MTA). The MTA enables longer tenancies, and addresses lender concerns by including appropriate break clauses. The CML estimates that the majority of buy to let mortgage lenders now permit tenancies of up to two to three years. We continue to encourage lenders to actively promote the use of the MTA to their landlord customers.

  • Julian Knight – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Julian Knight – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Knight on 2016-10-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of potential measures to make access to courts (a) easier and (b) substantially faster for a landowner seeking to get an order to evict travellers.

    Sir Oliver Heald

    The accelerated procedure for obtaining a possession order to evict trespassers (which may include travellers) is set out in the Civil Procedure Rules, Part 55.

    There is no notice period once a landowner has obtained an order to evict. The standard order for a successful claim for possession would be an order for immediate possession.

    The Government does not consider that the process requires change.

  • Andy Slaughter – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Andy Slaughter – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2016-01-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of staff employed in each young offender institution are qualified speech and language therapists.

    Andrew Selous

    The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

    The Youth Justice Board is responsible for commissioning and oversight of the secure youth estate. The Youth Justice Board funds dedicated social workers at each under-18 Young Offender Institution (YOI). All young people undergo a health and education assessment upon arrival into custody, whilst all staff undergo training in child and adolescent development and safeguarding.

    Under-18 YOI providers should ensure that they meet the needs of all detained persons including those with Special Education and Needs (SEN) requirements, and that all staff are suitably qualified to support young people and make referrals to other specialist support where this is appropriate.

  • Lord Freeman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Freeman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Freeman on 2016-02-22.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the requirements on airlines using UK airports for frequently changing air filters in all cabins and what is the maximum permitted interval between changing air filters.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The filters are changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s routine maintenance schedules. It is in the operator’s interest to change the filters in accordance with the schedule; with time the pores in the filters become congested with material.

    This congestion can increase the efficiency of the filter in removing particles from the air, but also increases the resistance to air flow. Therefore greater pressure and power is required to maintain the cabin air flow, which in turn increases fuel-burn and therefore costs.

  • Kevin Brennan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Kevin Brennan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-03-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the value was of direct investment from China in each (a) sector and (b) industry sector in each of the last five years.

    Anna Soubry

    Information about the financial value of inward FDI stock by sector and source country is available from the ONS FDI Report (MA4, December 2015) and the value of direct investment from China by sector from 2011-2014 can be found in the attached table.

    Please see tab 3.3 in the dataset: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/businessinnovation/datasets/foreigndirectinvestmentinvolvingukcompanies2013inwardtables.

  • Ann Coffey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Ann Coffey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Coffey on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children living in regulated children’s homes who were the responsibility of each local authority were placed (a) within that local authority area, (b) outside the local authority area and (c) more than 20 miles away from their home on the latest date for which figures are available.

    Edward Timpson

    The information requested is attached.

  • Lord Renwick of Clifton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Renwick of Clifton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Renwick of Clifton on 2016-05-23.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they continue to support the admission of Turkey to the EU.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The Government supports the process of Turkey’s EU accession, which remains the most effective means of encouraging reform, stability and democracy in Turkey. But as the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has made it clear that the question of Turkey actually joining the EU is ‘not remotely on the cards’, indeed that he does not believe it will happen ‘for decades’. Every Member State has a veto, at every stage of the process. It is the Government’s policy not to agree to any further enlargement of the EU without a new system of controls on the movement of workers being put in place. Under the European Union Act 2011, any new Accession Treaty would require primary legislation before it could be ratified.

  • Ronnie Cowan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ronnie Cowan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-07-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making cold-calling a criminal offence.

    Matt Hancock

    We are determined to tackle the scourge of nuisance calls, however a balance needs to be struck between ensuring that consumers are adequately protected and also ensuring that the legitimate direct marketing industry can continue to operate. Our efforts are focused on taking action against companies that are deliberating break the rules, rather than penalising legitimate businesses who comply with the law.

  • Catherine West – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Catherine West – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-10-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department plans to conduct a three and five year post-implementation review of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013.

    Sir Oliver Heald

    The Ministry of Justice is finalising the one year post implementation review of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 and a decision will be made about publication in due course.

    It is considering the further reviews.