Tag: Andrew Smith

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-02-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the provision of counselling and support to those with Crohn’s disease.

Norman Lamb

The Department has made no assessment of the incidence of Crohn’s disease. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2012 guideline Crohn’s Disease Management in Adults, Children and Young People, states that there are currently at least 115,000 people in the United Kingdom with Crohn’s disease.

The NICE guideline sets out best practice on the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of people with Crohn’s disease. This includes, ‘Minimising psychological concerns and possible side effects of treatment are fundamental to best practice for all people with Crohn’s disease, whatever their age’, which could include access to psychological support, if appropriate. The guideline also recommends that clinicians give patients with Crohn’s disease contact details for relevant support groups. The full guideline can be found at the following link: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg152.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-02-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the incidence of Crohn’s disease.

Norman Lamb

The Department has made no assessment of the incidence of Crohn’s disease. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2012 guideline Crohn’s Disease Management in Adults, Children and Young People, states that there are currently at least 115,000 people in the United Kingdom with Crohn’s disease.

The NICE guideline sets out best practice on the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of people with Crohn’s disease. This includes, ‘Minimising psychological concerns and possible side effects of treatment are fundamental to best practice for all people with Crohn’s disease, whatever their age’, which could include access to psychological support, if appropriate. The guideline also recommends that clinicians give patients with Crohn’s disease contact details for relevant support groups. The full guideline can be found at the following link: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg152.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-09-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the national living wage on social care providers.

Alistair Burt

The impact of the new National Living Wage on local authority finances will be considered during the Spending Review as part of an overall assessment of spending pressures on local authorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much in tax accrued to the Exchequer in fuel duty on diesel in 2013; and what quantity of diesel this figure represents.

Nicky Morgan

This information can be found at the UK Trade Info website at https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutybulletins.aspx

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on the introduction of further low emission zones outside London to reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution in ambient air.

Dan Rogerson

The Government has funded a number of local authorities outside London to investigate the feasibility of low emission zones (LEZs) within their areas, through the annual Air Quality Grant Scheme targeted at reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and accelerating compliance with EU limit values.

This ongoing support is focused on addressing barriers and looking for practical options for putting in place NO₂-related LEZs and similar measures.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which local authorities have been sent letters indicating that they may have to pay part or all of the fines arising from infraction proceedings following the European Court of Justice’s finding against the UK for breach of nitrogen dioxide limit values under the EU Air Quality Directive.

Dan Rogerson

In March this year, Defra sent letters to all local authorities in England to inform them of the Commission’s decision to commence infraction procedures against the UK for non-compliance with NO₂ limit values, what it means and the next steps that should be taken by the Government in response. As part of this, local authorities were reminded of the discretionary power in Part 2 of the Localism Act under which the Government could require responsible authorities to pay all or part of an infraction fine.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many of the masterplans funded by her Department in Area C of the Occupied Palestinian Territory have received full approval by the Israeli government; and how long the approval process took in each case.

Mr Alan Duncan

Only two of the 32 UK-funded masterplans have received full approval so far. The process to gain approval took approximately 27 months for each. We are urging the Government of Israel to accelerate the approval of the other plans in order to allow the development of Palestinian communities in Area C without the risk of demolition.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much of Area C of the Occupied Palestinian Territory is covered by approved masterplans.

Mr Alan Duncan

Palestinian masterplans developed by the International Peace and Cooperation Centre (IPCC) cover approximately 0.4% of Area C. To date, only two of these have been approved.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the construction of the first infrastructure project funded by her Department in Area C of the Occupied Palestinian Territory will commence.

Mr Alan Duncan

DFID and our partners are currently engaging with the Israeli authorities in order to accelerate the approval of UK-funded masterplans for Palestinian communities in Area C. These Palestinian plans provide the basis for sustainable development in Area C and reduce the risk of demolition. We continue to consider the full range of measures to continue our support for Palestinians in Area C.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 73W, on Israel, how many complaints about differential treatment of British nationals have been made since 2010 by the UK embassy in Tel Aviv to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and on which dates.

Hugh Robertson

Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have formally raised with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) mistreatment of British nationals three times since 2010. They were on 7 January 2012; 19 December 2012 and 18 March 2013. Our officials have to seek permission from the individual concerned before raising with the MFA, and not all individuals are willing to pursue this route.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is unable to interfere in the immigration policies or procedures of another country, but does raise cases of grave concern with the MFA.