The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Crausby on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which NHS Walk-in Centres have closed in the last 12 months.
Jane Ellison
Comprehensive data on walk-in centres is not collected centrally. Since 2007, the local National Health Service has been responsible for NHS walk-in-centres. It is for local commissioners to decide on the availability of these services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the terms and conditions of the contracts of the specialist contractors hired by her Department to advise regional school commissioners.
Edward Timpson
The Department will publish an award notice on GOV.UK that names suppliers that have been awarded contracts, business addresses and contract values over £20,000. The Department will also be publishing related supplier contracts that support the academy and free school programme on Contract Finder on GOV.UK by 31 March 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Paisley on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of (a) minimum pack-size requirements and (b) other elements of the new Tobacco Products Directive.
Jane Ellison
An assessment estimating the impact of the provisions introduced by the revised Tobacco Products Directive on business, including minimum pack size requirements, was published alongside a public consultation on transposition of the Directive in summer last year. A final impact assessment, reflecting the outcome of the consultation, will be published alongside the implementing Regulations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claims for universal credit were made online in each year since that benefit was introduced.
Priti Patel
A year by year breakdown of the information requested is not available for publication. We can say that since its introduction, around 90% of Universal Credit claims have been made online.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rebecca Long Bailey on 2016-05-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what military support has been provided to the government of Ethiopia in the last five years; what such support he plans to provide in the next five years; and whether the UK currently provides training for Ethiopian security or military personnel.
James Duddridge
Ethiopia is one of the world’s largest peacekeeping troop contributors, heavily engaged in the fight against Al Shabaab in neighbouring Somalia which is vital to build stability in the region and to UK interests. The UK maintains a Defence relationship with the Ethiopian Ministry of National Defence, focused on education and training in non-combat areas. Over the past five years that has been centred on assisting in the setting up of the Ethiopian Peace Support Training Centre, and providing courses that give members of the Ethiopian military an improved range of non-combat skills as they serve on regional peace support operations. We have run a successful programme of English language training, delivered by the British Council, and a Masters course in Security Sector Management, for students from across the Eastern Africa region. We have provided a small number of places to Ethiopian military students on courses in the UK.
The importance of good governance, accountability and respect for human rights is central to this programme of engagement. Over the next five years, we will continue to focus on helping Ethiopia to develop its capability to conduct peace support operations in the region, and continue to encourage improved governance and accountability within the security sector.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Scriven on 2016-07-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what legislation currently governs the retention of facial custody images.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
I apologise that I did not answer Parliamentary Question HL905 on 12th July. Due to administrative error this question was grouped with HL906 but only one answer was provided. The use and retention of facial custody images is governed by the Code of Practice on the Management of Police information (MOPI), guidance contained within the College of Policing’s Authorised Police Practice (APP) and the Data Protection Act 1998.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase transparency in mental health service block contracts.
Nicola Blackwood
In line with the principle of parity of esteem between all health services, NHS England together with NHS Improvement are supporting providers and commissioners of adult and older people’s mental health services to move away from block contracts and implement more transparent payment approaches. Two new payment options that providers and commissioners can choose between are a capitated payment approach or an episode of treatment (year-of-care) payment approach.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Robinson on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2016 to Question 23014, what assessment he has made of the disbenefits to drivers resident in Northern Ireland of not being able to use the online facility to change the address on their driving licence; and if he will take steps to extend this facility to Northern Ireland.
Andrew Jones
No assessment has been made. Driver licensing in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. The provision of online driver licensing systems for motorists in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many meetings her Department has had with representatives of Tidal Power Ltd on the proposed Solway Firth Tidal Lagoon project.
Andrea Leadsom
The Government is currently in a bilateral negotiation with Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd regarding a possible Contract for Difference for their proposed project in Swansea Bay and there have been numerous meetings with the developer to discuss this project.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Anne Main on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities are required to consider environmental factors when awarding contracts.
Mr Marcus Jones
The over-riding procurement policy requirement is that all public procurement must be based on value for money, defined as the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay over the period of use of the goods or services bought. This includes taking environmental issues into consideration.
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires all public authorities, to have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with public services contracts; and for connected purposes. In addition under the Duty of Best Value, local authorities should consider overall value, including environmental value when reviewing service provision.