The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Law Society mental health panel accredited representatives there were on the Law Society panel available for First Tier Tribunal (mental health) hearings in each year since 2010.
Caroline Dinenage
This information is not recorded.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Metcalfe on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the data used to predict traffic flow at the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing – Option C was generated; and whether that data is publicly available.
Andrew Jones
The traffic modelling carried out to inform the assessment of alternative options has been based on an extensive assessment of travel and road usage patterns. The underlying data was collected through extensive observations and roadside surveys as part of the London Area Transport Surveys in 2001. This data was updated in 2009. A ‘Review of Lower Thames Crossing Options: Model Capability Report’ which was produced in 2013 examined the suitability of the traffic modelling, including the use of the 2009 data, for strategic assessment of the Lower Thames Crossing options, and this report concluded that the overall model performance was suitable for options assessment at this stage. This report is available online at gov.uk.
Further detail on the recent modelling for Options A and C is available in Volume 5 of the Scheme Assessment Report which can be viewed on line at the consultation website on the project website via www.lower-thames-crossing.co.uk. It is also available as a hard copy at the public information events and local libraries as a reference document but not to be taken away. Highways England can also send out a copy to anyone who requests it through the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which companies, organisations and other persons, in any capacity, were given sight of the stewardship documents either before, or after, the issuing of Emergency Authorisation No. 1949 and No. 1950 of 2015.
George Eustice
The stewardship documents for these emergency authorisations were considered by HSE officials to ensure the stewardship scheme was consistent with the conditions of authorisation. The documents were also disclosed by Defra to Friends of the Earth under the process for their unsuccessful application for judicial review of the decision to make these authorisations in 2015. Copies will be placed in the Library.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Written Statement of 18 April 2016, on immigration detention, HCWS679, whether notice will be given to pregnant women who will be detained.
James Brokenshire
At present, detention is authorised by an officer of at least the rank of Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) or Higher Executive Officer (HEO). As stated in the Government’s Written Ministerial Statement of 14 January, the Government is developing a new approach to the case management of those detained. This is intended to replace the existing detention review process with a clear removal plan for all those in detention.
It will ensure that all detainees, including pregnant women, spend the minimum possible time in detention. Under the new policy in order for detention to be extended beyond 72 hours ministerial authorisation will be required and the maximum detention period will be one week.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons and Independent Monitoring Boards already provide independent oversight of detention facilities and conditions of detention. Individuals, including pregnant women, are given prior notification of their liability to removal from the UK by the Home Office and they would be detained only for the purposes of identification or removal.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Rooker on 2016-05-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many passport applications have been made using the legend of a deceased person in each of the past six years.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We do not routinely publish this data.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Tomlinson on 2016-07-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria her Department to use to distribute funding accrued from the soft drinks industry levy to schools in order to extend their school day for physical activities.
Edward Timpson
The Department is currently determining the details of how funding will be allocated, with a view to beginning to distribute funding to schools in 2017. We will provide further details in due course so that schools have sufficient time to apply for the funding and to consider how they will deliver the new provision, including through appropriate consultation with parents.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alistair Carmichael on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support her Department has provided to public service broadcasting of UK minority languages; and if she will make a statement.
Matt Hancock
The BBC Charter Review has recently considered the BBC’s contribution to minority language broadcasting. A clearer commitment to each minority language has been included in the draft BBC Framework Agreement, setting out the need for the BBC to continue to deliver output in Welsh, Gaelic, the Irish language and Ulster-Scots.
There is also a new commitment for the BBC to continue their partnership with MG Alba for the next 11 years and arrangements for continued partnership with S4C are also in place.
The Government provides Exchequer funding to S4C – in 2015-16 this was £6.782 million. The Government also provides £3 million p.a. to the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund and £1 million p.a. to the Ulster-Scots Broadcasting Fund which are administered via Northern Ireland Screen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-12-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of making the Defence Infrastructure Organisation government-owned contractor-operated.
Mark Lancaster
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has been led by a Strategic Business Partner (SBP) since September 2014. The SBP contract allowed for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to instruct the incorporation of DIO as a Government-owned company (GovCo), subject to a value for money review.
I announced the conclusions of the review in my written statement of 10 December 2015 (Official Report, columns 55-56WS). The GovCo model would have been led by the SBP but 100% owned by the Secretary of State for Defence. A GovCo is distinct from a Government-owned contractor-operated organisation (GOCO) which has a different legal construct. The MOD has never proposed for the DIO to become a GOCO.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect of the increase in state pension age on women resident in Scotland who were born in the 1950s; and when the last such discussion was.
David Mundell
I and my officials have regular engagement with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions on a range of important matters, including the State Pension. The hon Member will be aware of the parliamentary debate that took place on 1 February where my hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara) set out the Government’s position on this issue.
State Pension age changes are part of a wider package of reforms being implemented by this Government. All women affected by faster equalisation under the Pensions Act 2011 will reach State Pension age after the introduction of the new State Pension. The new State Pension will benefit many women who have been historically worse off under the current system, with 650,000 women receiving £8 more per week (on average) in the first 10 years, due to the new State Pension valuation of their National Insurance record.
Encouraging and enabling those who can work to work for longer is a Government priority. In work, out of work and disability benefits are available for those individuals who are unable to work. Those who have caring responsibilities may be eligible for National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Stevens on 2016-02-24.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of his Department’s fiscal policies on the financial position of women.
Harriett Baldwin
In line with the Equality Act and the Government’s strong commitment to gender equality, ministers carefully consider the impacts for women when developing fiscal and other policies.
It is equally important for the future finances of both women and men that we have chosen to tackle the deficit; other Government policies including increases in the income tax personal allowance, the simplified state pension, auto enrolment into pensions, the National Living Wage, and free and tax-free childcare are also especially beneficial to women.