Tag: 2016

  • Joan Ryan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Joan Ryan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Joan Ryan on 2016-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of neighbourhood policing capacity.

    Mike Penning

    Decisions about the number of officers deployed to neighbourhood policing, and their specific roles, are for Chief Constables and democratically accountable Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). They are responsible for ensuring the needs of the local community are met. Priorities for each area are set out in the PCC’s – in London the Mayor’s – Police and Crime Plan. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary independently assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of police force activity, including neighbourhood policing.

  • Paul Monaghan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Paul Monaghan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2016-05-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will intervene to suspend the decision by Capita relating to Mrs Marleen Baldwin; and if she will ensure that Mrs Baldwin is not forcibly removed from the UK until she has reviewed her case.

    James Brokenshire

    We do not comment publicly on individual cases. UK Visas and Immigration will write to the Honourable Member to provide an update on this case.

    There are no plans for a specific review of the administrative handling of immigration applications from Canadian nationals for indefinite leave to remain. UK Visas and Immigration is, however, committed to the principles of continuous improvement and to applying these to ensure processes are efficient and effective.

    The administrative requirements, and service standards, to which applicants for indefinite leave to remain are subject, are set out at www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/settle-in-the-uk. This information is reviewed regularly, with a view to ensuring it is as clear as possible.

  • Royston Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Royston Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Royston Smith on 2016-06-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people (a) in general and (b) who have long-term health conditions are liable for prescription charges.

    Alistair Burt

    The information requested is not collected centrally. We estimate that 60% of people in England are not required to pay for their prescriptions, though it is not possible to indicate how many people on either side may have a long-term health condition. The prescription charge exemptions include exemption for those on low income, which is based on receipt of certain benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Where someone does not qualify for exemption from prescription charges, Prescription Prepayment Certificates are available. The three-month and 12-month certificates allow someone to claim as many prescriptions as they need for £29.10 and £104, respectively.

  • Baroness Helic – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Helic – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Helic on 2016-09-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Saudi-led coalition regarding attacks on medical facilities in Yemen, and what their policy is on that issue.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    We are aware of reports of alleged airstrikes on medical facilities in Yemen. It is important that the Saudi-led Coalition conducts thorough and conclusive investigations into incidents where it is alleged that International Humanitarian Law has been breached. They have the best insight into their own military procedures and will be able to conduct the most thorough and conclusive investigations. This is the standard we set ourselves and our allies. The Saudi led Coalition Joint Investigations Assessment Team announced the outcome of 8 investigations on 4 August.

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anne-Marie Trevelyan on 2016-10-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the results of his Department’s survey on its Family Accommodation Model; whether he plans to publish the results to all questions in that survey; and whether any such publication will include all data from the comments sections of that survey.

    Mark Lancaster

    The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) Survey closed on 3 October, having received almost 28,000 responses from our Service personnel. These responses will help the Ministry of Defence understand what the FAM could look like. The Survey results, including all of the comments, are now being processed and will be subject to rigorous analysis in the normal way. The large number of responses means that this process will take longer than initially anticipated, although we hope to be in a position to publish the results in full in early 2017.

    Qualitative analysis of the comments section will form part of the results and will be published in a way that protects anonymity.

  • Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer submitted to Question 21401, what new or changed policies her Department has implemented as a result of the evidence submitted.

    Andrea Leadsom

    We have not implemented new policies specifically as a result of the call for evidence on park homes. The evidence did support decisions made on the Warm Home Discount where this scheme year we have introduced a pilot scheme to allow eligible park home residents to apply for £140 to help with their energy bills.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-02-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which British Transport Police sites have closed since May 2010.

    Claire Perry

    Since May 2010, there have been 9 operational closures of British Transport Police sites at the following locations:

    Debden

    Ealing Broadway

    Hastings

    Ipswich

    St Leonards

    Taunton

    Wood Green

    Watford

    Wednesbury

    The BTP has advised that the closure of these operational posts has not affected the policing capability or visibility at these locations. The majority of the offices closed were either very small satellite offices or in unsuitable locations where coverage is more cost-effectively provided from larger neighbouring stations.

    Additionally, two further sites have closed since May 2010 but they have been replaced by newer refurbished premises in the same vicinity.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of stricter regulations on the use of snares and traps.

    Rory Stewart

    Regulation of traps and snares balances the welfare needs of the trapped animal against the need for effective methods of killing or taking target species.

    With regard to snares, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chesterfield, Toby Perkins MP, on 11 February 2016, PQ UIN 25710.

    As for other kinds of trap, we already ensure all new spring traps are tested for humaneness before they are approved for use and the use of any trap is prohibited against certain species of European or national concern, for example the European otter and pine marten.

  • Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes to universal credit on families in Wales.

    Guto Bebb

    Universal Credit is transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged children and families in this country.

    This Government recognises that work is the best route out of poverty.

    Our welfare reforms have resulted in record numbers of Welsh people going out to work – strengthening families through financial security and improving the life chances of children throughout Wales.

  • Philip Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Philip Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-05-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the maximum sentence is a magistrate can hand down when dealing with the breach of the maximum number and length of suspended sentences after the commission of further offences where the maximum number and length of sentences are available for the new offences.

    Dominic Raab

    Magistrates’ courts have the power to impose a custodial sentence, whether immediate or suspended, of up to six months for a single offence, or up to 12 months where they impose consecutive sentences for one or more offences. A custodial sentence may be suspended for up to two years, and one or more community requirements may also be imposed by the court.

    When dealing with a breach of a suspended sentence order, there is a statutory presumption that the custodial sentence will be given effect. The suspended custodial sentence cannot be increased: the original term is given effect either in full, or the court may set a shorter period, for example, by taking into account the extent to which the offender complied with any community requirements of the suspended sentence order.

    Where there is a breach of a suspended sentence order which was imposed by the magistrates’ court and the breach is the commission of a further offence, the magistrates’ court deals with both the breach and sentencing for the further offence unless the latter merits a sentence which exceeds its powers. In these circumstance, the case would be sent to the Crown Court for sentencing of the further offence and the higher court would also deal with the breach of the suspended sentence order.