The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-06-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the HM Passport Office’s target is for identifying fraudulently obtained genuine passports.
James Brokenshire
Her Majesty’s Passport Office does not have a numerical target for identifying fraudulently obtained genuine (FOG) passports. The work on detecting FOGs is part of a wider programme which also has a significant focus on preventing passport fraud.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sharkey on 2016-09-05.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to publish the NHS England Research and Development plan for 2016–17; if so, when, and if not, why not.
Lord Prior of Brampton
A draft version of NHS England’s Research and Development Plan for 2016/17 is currently out with stakeholders for information and comment. A copy of the final version will therefore be published on NHS England’s website in due course once it has been agreed and approved.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much he expects Buckinghamshire to be eligible to apply for from the High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund.
Andrew Jones
How this fund will be distributed is currently being considered and further details will be announced in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Colombian government in the last three months on the security situation for human rights defenders in that country.
Mr Hugo Swire
On 21 December, Officials from the British Embassy in Bogota raised human rights and protection issues with the national Ombudsman who also explained the role the Ombudsman’s Office will play in post-agreement in Colombia.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Healey on 2016-02-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the reasons are for the time taken to announce the successful bidders of his Department’s Trusted Partner Pilot programme.
Priti Patel
The intention is to deliver 26 Trusted Partner pilot sites. In total we received just over 200 valid applications; 16 landlords have already commenced the pilot and work is in train to confirm the final 10.
We plan to let key stakeholders know once all landlords have been confirmed.
Tenants in accommodation such as supported or sheltered housing are not subject to the Alternative Payment Arrangement process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-03-02.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps are being taken to increase voter engagement with the upcoming European referendum.
John Penrose
The Government is committed to helping ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote in polls is able to do so. The introduction of online registration makes it easier, simpler and faster for people to register to vote. The Government is working with organisations, including Operation Black Vote and Citizens UK, which represent under registered groups to develop solutions to ensure that as many people as possible are able to have their say at the ballot box.
Voter engagement is also influenced by factors such as whether electors feel the poll offers a clear choice on an issue which matters greatly to them and on the energy and effectiveness of the political campaigns behind each side of the debate. These are not under Government’s direct control, but we hope that the decision to hold the referendum in the first place, as promised in our election manifesto, will nonetheless help.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of non-EU citizens who face being deported after 6 April because they earn less than £35,000.
Lord Keen of Elie
No migrant workers will be deported from April 2016 as a result of the £35,000 settlement threshold.
The threshold only applies to those who entered Tier 2 (General), the skilled work route, from 6 April 2011. Tier 2 workers sponsored in shortage or PhD-level occupations are exempt. Skilled workers may remain in Tier 2 (General) for up to six years in total, after which they are expected to meet the settlement criteria or leave. For those who entered in April 2011, the six year maximum period of stay will expire in April 2017.
Those who are paid below the threshold may apply to switch into any other routes for which they are eligible. Those workers who cannot extend their stay will be expected to leave the UK voluntarily when their visa expires. The Home Office published a full impact assessment on the changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. This is available on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdf.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hoey on 2016-05-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with London Underground on fire safety regulations governing staffing levels and other procedures on those services.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Department has regular meetings with Transport for London (TfL) where many issues are discussed, including passenger safety. This particular issue has not been discussed at recent meetings, but the Department has no reason to doubt that TfL is adhering to fire safety regulations on its services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Redwood on 2016-06-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what EU directives related to her Department’s responsibilities are awaiting transposition into UK law.
Sir Desmond Swayne
There are no EU directives related to my Department’s responsibilities awaiting transportation into UK law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-09-05.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of India’s National Crime Records Bureau that, in a three-year period there was an almost 40 per cent increase of crime against Dalits throughout India; that in 2015, in Gujarat, there was a 163.3 per cent increase in crime against Dalits; and that sexual assaults against women and rape are listed as the top crimes against scheduled castes.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
India has a strong democratic framework, independent and accountable law enforcement and judicial institutions. Its constitution guarantees fundamental human rights. However, it also faces numerous challenges relating to its size and social and economic development.
We are aware of the particular concerns around violence against minority groups and women and girls in India. We are committed to working with the Government of India, international partners and civil society groups on these important issues.
The British High Commission works with civil society and government bodies on projects which provide advice to lawyers and grassroots organisations that directly support the protection of minorities and Dalits. For example, we support a project which helps survivors of sexual violence understand their legal rights in the Indian criminal justice system. UK Government-funded training has helped to empower over 1000 Dalit women and men to exercise their legal rights. In November 2015, I met a group of senior Indian women advocates to discuss the challenges faced by women in India and how the UK Government could support their efforts to strengthen enforcement of the law.