Tag: 2016

  • Lord Grocott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Lord Grocott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Grocott on 2016-05-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Nash on 3 May (HL Deb, col 1308), what steps they plan to take to provide Parliament with a clear view of academy trusts’ spending.

    Lord Nash

    From 2016-17 onwards, the department will produce a new report and accounts covering the performance of the academy sector during the previous academic year. This will provide Parliament with information on academy trusts’ spending, income and assets that is clearer, more transparent and more timely. This approach has been considered and endorsed by the Education Select Committee and the Liaison Committee of the House of Commons.

  • John Spellar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    John Spellar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Spellar on 2016-06-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to ensure that her Department’s purchasing policies support British (a) industry and (b) agriculture.

    George Eustice

    The Department’s purchasing policies support the Government’s commitment to do all it can to ensure UK suppliers can compete effectively for public sector contracts, in line with our current international obligations and guidance issued by the Crown Commercial Service. In addition, in 2014 the government introduced the plan for public procurement of food and catering services and Defra has adopted the use of the ‘Balanced Scorecard’ approach to sourcing food which recognises factors like celebration of provenance, local food traditions and consumers’ connection to producers.

  • Stephen Gethins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    Stephen Gethins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-09-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2016 to Question 44230, whether the staff in his Department are new employees or have been seconded from other Departments.

    Mr David Jones

    The Department for Exiting the EU now has over 200 staff in London, plus the expertise of over 120 officials in Brussels, and we are still growing rapidly. The overall size and scope of the new department, including staffing and budget, are regularly reviewed. We will ensure we are appropriately staffed to deal with the task at hand.

    The Department will include staff and officials from various departments across Government. The Department has already started drawing together expertise with staff from around 20 Departments and organisations from across Government.

  • Danny Kinahan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Danny Kinahan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Danny Kinahan on 2016-01-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to increase the number of psychological and psychiatric specialist services available for Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland.

    James Brokenshire

    In respect of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme we are working with Northern Ireland as well as with other devolved administrations and local authorities to ensure that they are only asked to welcome Syrian refugees that their local structures are able to support. We are talking to them and other partners to ensure that capacity can be identified and the impact on those taking new cases can be managed in a fair and controlled way.

  • Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2016-02-08.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government why beauty clinics undertaking nail care are not required to use autoclaves to sterilise their equipment to prevent fungal infections.

    Baroness Altmann

    The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require businesses offering beauty treatments to ensure that any risks to their client’s health from exposure to hazardous substances including micro-organisms, are prevented or effectively controlled. The duty extends to preventing or controlling client’s exposure to the risk of contracting fungal infections. The regulations do not prescribe what specific control measures are necessary. These will be based on the type of treatment carried out and the risks of cross-infection.

    Where sterilisation is required, autoclaves are the most effective and efficient means to do so, and should be used especially for packaged items and items which have hollow parts or cavities. However alternative methods such as steam sterilisers and disinfectants can be used for simple items such as tweezers.

  • Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-03-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey about compensation for the inhabitants of Cizre whose close relatives have died, or whose property has been destroyed, as a result of government action.

    Earl of Courtown

    The situation in certain areas in south east Turkey is extremely concerning. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) continues to mount deadly attacks against the security forces. Our thoughts are with the victims and the civilians that have been caught up in the violence. The Turkish government has recently announced plans for reconstruction and assistance for those whose property has been damaged. We continue to call for the PKK to end its terrorist attacks and for the peace process to be resumed.

  • Owen Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Owen Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Smith on 2016-04-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff employed in delivering the Fit for Work programme are (a) registered as disabled or in receipt of disabled people’s benefits and (b) returning to work after serious illness or injury.

    Justin Tomlinson

    Health Management Ltd (HML), responsible for delivering Fit for Work in England and Wales, does not hold records of staff members who are disabled or who are in receipt of disabled person’s benefits although the company does provide the opportunity for people to self-declare a disability should they wish to do so.

    Since Fit for Work was launched, seven members of staff have returned to work following a serious illness or injury. ‘Serious illness or injury’ is here considered to mean an absence of four weeks or more.

    For Scottish Government, which is responsible for delivering Fit for Work in Scotland, does not collect this information centrally.

  • David Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    David Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-05-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has made to the organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest on their refusal to allow the display of the Red Dragon flag at the 2016 contest.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    I understand that the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest has reversed its ban on the display of the Red Dragon flag. We welcome this example of European co-operation, and wish Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft the best of luck on 14 May.

  • John Spellar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    John Spellar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Spellar on 2016-06-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that his Department’s purchasing policies support British (a) industry and (b) agriculture.

    Mr David Lidington

    The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s purchasing policies support the Government’s commitment to do all it can to ensure UK Suppliers can compete effectively for public sector contracts, in line with our current international obligations and guidance issued by the Crown Commercial Service.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-09-14.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the law with respect to abortion in Northern Ireland.

    Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen

    Abortion law is a devolved matter with respect to Northern Ireland. It is therefore for the people of Northern Ireland and their elected representatives in Stormont to consider the need for any change.