The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-03-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time is from referral for an autism diagnosis in Lancashire.
Alistair Burt
This data is not collected centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has held with football associations and police forces on ensuring security and protection for fans travelling abroad for the European Championships.
David Evennett
My Department has regular discussions with both the Home Office and the FCO on a range of matters in relation to the 2016 UEFA European Football Championships taking place in France this summer. Departments are in contact with the relevant football associations, and fans attending the tournament will be encouraged to follow the Government’s official travel advice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will confirm that any funding received as a result of the application for EU Solidarity Fund Assistance will be distributed to those communities affected by recent flooding.
James Wharton
We are determined to do all we can to support flood-affected areas, which is why we have already paid out over £250 million to ensure that communities and businesses can get back on their feet as soon as possible. Once our application to the EU Solidarity Fund has been finalised, and approved by the Commission, we will consider how any additional funding should be used.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Norman Lamb on 2016-07-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of noise caused by the training of military aircraft pilots on local communities; and what steps his Department is taking to minimise such noise disturbance.
Mark Lancaster
The Ministry of Defence takes its responsibilities to the general public very seriously indeed and would prefer not to cause any disturbance to the general public. Unfortunately, there are no uninhabited areas of the UK large enough to cater for essential training needs. Restrictions are placed on the height, speeds and operating procedures of military aircraft in the UK Military Low Flying System.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-09-15.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the length of time between the publication of his Department’s planned consultation on a proposed secondary market for annuities and the planned introduction of that market for the pensions industry to prepare for that introduction; and if he will make an assessment of the effect of that period on the effective introduction of that market.
Simon Kirby
To date, the Government has published the following consultation documents in relation to the secondary market in annuities policy:
Creating a secondary annuity market – March 2015
Creating a secondary annuity market: response to the call for evidence – December 2015
Creating a secondary annuity market: tax framework – April 2016
Creating a secondary market for annuities – secondary legislation – April 2016
These consultations have now closed. The Government will respond shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Hayes on 2016-01-21.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much Government funding has been allocated to help increase the number of young people on the electoral register.
John Penrose
Between 2013-2015 the Government allocated over £14 million at national and local level to increase the number of people on the electoral register. This included funding to organisations such as NUS, Bite The Ballot, UK Youth and vInspired to promote youth registration. We also produce and distribute "Rock Enrol!" educational material for schools to use in explaining and promoting electoral registration, and we are actively involved in the National Voter Registration Drive which starts next week.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2016-02-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2016 to Question 22830, whether the Warnings Index Checks system has been affected by high-priority incidents in the last five years.
James Brokenshire
All Border Force systems and services, including the Warnings Index system, are constantly monitored and closely managed so any arising incidents can be quickly and effectively resolved. Whilst there have been a small number of high priority incidents during the period in question with the Warnings Index system, like other Home Office technology services, it has layers of resilience built into it along with supporting continuity arrangements. This resilience and operational arrangements has enabled controls at the border to be maintained with no suspension of checks at any port since November 2011. The migration in the autumn of 2014 of the core Warning Index services to modern data-centres has significantly improved its reliability and stability.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-03-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps she has taken to tackle stone theft.
Karen Bradley
Stone theft has a detrimental effect on towns and communities across England and Wales. The impact of these crimes includes both the economic cost to the victim, but there are also wider costs to the community, for example where schools, churches or heritage items are targeted by criminals.
We have received no recent representations from local authorities on this issue, nor have we had recent discussions with the police on stone theft specifically. However, the police are working with Historic England, the Crown Prosecution Service and others to share intelligence and shape good practice in tackling and preventing heritage crime, such as stone theft.
We would encourage all victims of stone theft, whether individuals or organisations, to report instances of these crimes to their local police, so that the crimes can be properly recorded and investigated. The local response is a matter for individual chief officers of police and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local issues and demands that they face.
We are satisfied that the existing legislation provides the police and courts with sufficient powers to respond to stone theft.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fabian Hamilton on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the 1973 Cost Sharing Agreement between the US and the UK.
Michael Fallon
No.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making superfast broadband a planning obligation on all new build properties
Brandon Lewis
We have worked with BT Openreach and the Home Builders Federation on an agreement, announced earlier this year, which aims to deliver superfast broadband connectivity to new build properties in the UK. We have also recently introduced a requirement for all new buildings and major renovations to include in-building physical infrastructure to support connections to superfast broadband. In addition, the National Planning Policy Framework places the provision of superfast broadband alongside other strategic infrastructure and requires local planning authorities to consult providers as part of the Local Plan.