Tag: Andrew Stephenson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to support cooperation between rare diseases organisations through the EU Policy Action and Information for Rare Diseases in Europe.

George Freeman

The Government published the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases in November 2013. The strategy includes 51 specific commitments designed to improve the lives of all those affected by rare diseases.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of all those affected by rare diseases and the United Kingdom is recognised as a leader in Europe in the research, care and treatment of rare diseases. The strategy includes commitments to contribute to European Union-wide action on rare diseases.

Through the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the UK successfully led the most recent EU Joint Action on Rare Diseases which concluded in 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent representations he has received on expansion and improvement of educational facilities in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Selous

Education is embedded in a wide range of regime activities which occur within a prison including classrooms, libraries and industries. No data is held centrally on the proportion of space at each prison (and this would incur disproportionate cost to calculate).

The Secretary of State for Justice announced on 8^th September a review of the quality of education in prisons, chaired by Dame Sally Coates. The review will examine the scope, quality and effectiveness of current provision. It will consider the scope and range of the current curricula and identify the most effective teaching and delivery models. Stakeholders are being consulted and a Call for Evidence has been issued. A copy of the terms of reference are lodged in the library of the House and at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-prison-education-terms-of-reference

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many motorhome-friendly parking sites there are in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Lancashire.

Mr Marcus Jones

The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold data for of the number of motorhome-friendly parking sites. Parking provision is a matter for which local authorities are responsible, and the development of parking policies should take account of the existing and projected levels of parking demand.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs on the restricted breed list were destroyed in each of the last three years.

George Eustice

Numbers of dogs destroyed as a result of being a dog of a specified type (section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) are not held centrally. Such records would be held by each police force.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-06-03.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2016 to Question 37088, which body is responsible for publishing information about funds collected through the Mutual Assistance Recovery Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Gauke

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is required to submit information about funds they collect through the Mutual Assistance Recovery Directive (MARD) on an annual basis. HMRC does not publish this information. Under the MARD, the EU Commission is required to produce a regular report summarising the use of the mutual assistance arrangements.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) benefits and (b) risks of using electrical socket safety covers or inserts.

Margot James

The Department has not made an assessment of the benefits and risks of using electrical socket covers or inserts.

Under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 all products placed on the UK market must be safe and any products that do not comply can be removed from sale by Trading Standards.

There are no reports of death or injury as a result of the use of socket covers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to support the NHS recruit, retain and help the professional development of consultants specialising in (a) rare and (b) ultra-rare diseases.

George Freeman

The Government published the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases in November 2013. The strategy is a high-level framework which sets out a strategic vision for improving the lives of all those affected by rare diseases. The strategy includes specific commitments regarding the education and training of the National Health Service workforce in the context of genomics and rare diseases.

Health Education England (HEE) was established to deliver a better healthcare workforce for England and for ensuring a secure workforce supply for the future. In addition, the HEE Genomics Education Programme was established in 2014 and is intended to build capacity and capability in response to the genomic medicine revolution. The programme includes rare diseases within its scope and will support the professional development of both new and existing members of the NHS workforce.

HEE has also published a suite of awareness raising videos to inform healthcare workers and the public about rare diseases. One video is aimed at general practitioners and highlights the importance of considering the possibility that their patient may have a rare condition.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to broaden the range of educational subjects taught in prisons.

Andrew Selous

Education is embedded in a wide range of regime activities which occur within a prison including classrooms, libraries and industries. No data is held centrally on the proportion of space at each prison (and this would incur disproportionate cost to calculate).

The Secretary of State for Justice announced on 8^th September a review of the quality of education in prisons, chaired by Dame Sally Coates. The review will examine the scope, quality and effectiveness of current provision. It will consider the scope and range of the current curricula and identify the most effective teaching and delivery models. Stakeholders are being consulted and a Call for Evidence has been issued. A copy of the terms of reference are lodged in the library of the House and at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-prison-education-terms-of-reference

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effect equipment gifted to the Lebanese armed forces between 2012 and 2015 on that country’s ability to secure its border with Syria against (a) the spread of the Syrian conflict, (b) the movement of Hezbollah fighters supporting the Assad Regime and (c) the movement of Daesh fighters.

Penny Mordaunt

The UK is committed to the security of Lebanon, including helping the Lebanese state secure its borders. From 2012-2015 we used over £30 million to help the Lebanese army raise and equip three Land Border Regiments (LBRs) deployed along the border with Syria. The project provides the LBRs with border towers, non-lethal equipment, mentoring and training. This has had a direct effect in mitigating contagion from the war in Syria. The border regiments successfully repel frequent attacks by Daesh on Lebanese territory. 75% of the Syria-Lebanon border will be under state control by March 2016, and the rest will be further secured with the establishment of a fourth LBR in financial year 2016-17.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were destroyed following violent behaviour in each of the last three years.

George Eustice

The numbers of dogs destroyed as a result of being dangerously out of control (section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) are not held centrally. Such records would be held by each police force.