The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2016 to Question 33988, whether Stagecoach or Virgin has proposed a reduction in the premium profile of the current InterCity East Coast franchise during the discussions referred to in that Answer.
Claire Perry
Stagecoach / Virgin have not made any proposals to reduce the premium profile of the current Intercity East Coast franchise.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Warner on 2016-05-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance has been issued by the Department for Education to local authorities about the transfer of children’s social care services to an arms-length trust; and what role the Department and its Ministers play in advising or approving local authority decisions to make such transfers, including provision of financial support.
Lord Nash
The Department for Education has not issued guidance to local authorities about the transfer of children’s social care services to a trust. The Prime Minister announced in December 2015 that, where Ofsted find persistent or systematic failure in a council’s children’s social care services, we will appoint a commissioner to review, within three months, whether services should be removed from council control. There is now a presumption that services will be placed outside of the Council’s control in these cases, unless the Commissioner identifies good reasons not to do so.
Decisions to transfer local authority children’s social care services to other organisations are subject to ministerial approval only where a local authority is in intervention following an inadequate Ofsted judgement. Other high-performing local authorities are also considering innovative delivery models, such as trusts, for their services. Financial support may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rebecca Long Bailey on 2016-07-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase the number of acute adult psychiatric beds for patients.
Nicola Blackwood
The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Commission on Adult Psychiatric Care – “Old Problems, New Solutions” highlighted a need to develop effective alternatives to inpatient care, rather than to increase the number of acute psychiatric beds.
We are investing over £400 million up to 2020 in crisis resolution and home treatment teams as a safe alternative to hospital. We invested £33 million in 2014/15 in early intervention in psychosis services and we have introduced waiting times for mental health to improve timely access to treatment, starting with psychological therapies and early intervention in psychosis.
However, we are clear that increasing effective alternatives must also ensure that a mental health bed is always available if someone needs it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Lewis on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many investigations were carried out by the Ministry of Defence Police into alleged offences under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 in each of the last six years.
Harriett Baldwin
The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has carried out the following investigations (taking “disturbances” to mean thefts or alleged thefts and not limited to shipwrecks) under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986:
|
YEAR |
|
|
2010 |
1 |
|
2011 |
6 |
|
2012 |
1 |
|
2013 |
0 |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
1 |
The MDP has not received any information related to the illegal salvage of material from HMS Warrior.
By invoking the principle of Sovereign Immunity, and by designating specific vessels under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, we endeavour to protect these important sites where we are able. Where we have definitive evidence of desecration of these sites, we will take appropriate action. However, it should be appreciated that, given the large number of Royal Navy wrecks around the world and the vast area they cover, there are limitations on what can be achieved with regard to protection.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-12-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Kyrgyzstan about the role and future of international non-governmental organisations working on human rights; and whether he has raised with that government the ban on the head of the Human Rights Watch office in Bishkek.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
During his visit to Kyrgyzstan in October 2014, Minister of State for Justice Lord Faulks discussed with Kyrgyz interlocutors a number of human rights issues, including the Foreign Agents Bill and other legislation that might restrict freedoms of expression and association. Our Embassy in Bishkek has also raised our concerns on a number of occasions with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and with Kyrgyz parliamentarians. We were concerned to hear of the refusal to grant entry to the Kyrgyz Republic to a representative from Human Rights Watch on 2 December. We are seeking further clarification from the Kyrgyz authorities. We will continue to raise our concerns about human rights directly with the government of Kyrgyzstan, and in suitable international fora, at every appropriate opportunity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people the Work and Health Innovation Fund will assist; and whether that fund will include initiatives to help people with (a) rheumatoid arthritis and (b) other long-term conditions stay in work.
Priti Patel
This government committed in the Autumn Statement 2015 to spend ‘at least £40 million’ on the. Work and Health Innovation Fund. The fund will support a range of trials to generate evidence of ‘what works’ in supporting disabled people and people with health conditions to get into and stay in work.
The type and size of trials are currently being developed.
The government committed to publishing a work and health white paper this year, which will share the initial Work and Health Innovation Fund proposals.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the apprenticeship levy on the training requirements of small and medium-sized firms unable to access the levy.
Nick Boles
When the apprenticeships levy is introduced in April 2017, small and medium sized employers will continue to have access to government funding to support apprenticeships. We will provide further details on the support available later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Natura 20000 sites are located within 10 miles of the proposed route of phase two of High Speed 2.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There are 18 Natura 2000 sites within 10 miles of the proposed Phase 2 route. This is the route as proposed in the July 2013 route consultation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Barker on 2016-04-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice the Department for Work and Pensions gives to trans individuals about how their confidentiality is maintained by that department on its database.
Lord Freud
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides its staff with information about providing services for transgender customers but does not provide information relating to data confidentiality specifically for transgender customers. DWP has a Personal Information Charter which informs all customers of the standards they can expect when we handle their personal information.
The DWP Special Customer Records (SCR) policy provides additional controls to transgender customers. These additional controls include clerical records being held securely by a senior manager, and access to computer records only being allowed to specific employees for specific business reasons and automatic notification of any unauthorised attempt to access records.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-05-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to lay the revised statutory instruments for the Pubs Code etc. Regulations 2016 and Pubs Code (Fees, Costs and Financial Penalties) Regulations 2016 before the House.
Anna Soubry
The Government is working hard to bring the Pubs Code etc Regulations 2016 into force as soon as possible. We have drafted the necessary technical corrections, and will lay a revised draft as soon as possible. The Code will come in to force following Parliamentary scrutiny. The Pubs Code (Fees, Costs and Financial Penalties) Regulations 2016 will be laid at the same time.