Tag: Baroness Randerson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what year they estimate that the electrification of the rail line from Cardiff to Swansea will be completed.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Sir Peter Hendy’s report to the Secretary of State on the 25 November 2015 outlined the re-profiling of the electrification of Great Western Route, and confirmed the electrification of the rail line from Cardiff to Swansea is expected to be completed within Control Period 6. This project is at an early stage of development and no single option has been identified. Network Rail continues to develop this vital scheme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-01-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to develop specific long-term targets to protect the public from the health impacts of aircraft noise.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Health impacts associated with aviation noise are already factored into policy appraisal where there is relevant robust evidence, including monetisation of these costs where this is possible.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-03-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the risk of civilian drones being used to carry out terrorist attacks and of accidental collisions, whether they are considering (1) introducing a mandatory registration system for civilian drones, and (2) introducing mandatory geo-fencing technology to prevent drones from flying over high-risk areas.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

I refer my Noble Baroness to my answer of the 16 March, UIN HL6659.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-06-29.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they have issued to ensure that HIV clinics also test patients annually for hepatitis C.

Lord Prior of Brampton

In February 2014 the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASSH) convened an expert working group, including representation from Public Health England, to formally review evidence and produce Recommendations for testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) men who have sex with men (MSM). The recommendations are attached.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has also published Hepatitis B and C testing – people at risk of infection, recommending testing to all services users at increased risk of infection. A copy of the guidance is attached.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-10-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to address the shortfall in revenue from Vehicle Excise Duty since October 2014.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The amount of vehicle excise duty (VED) collected varies year on year. The Office of Budgetary Responsibility forecast that VED revenue would fall by £300 million in 2015-16. The actual reduction of £93 million was principally caused by the ever increasing number of fuel-efficient cars on the road which attract a lower rate of VED, as well as a small increase in evasion.

The DVLA operates a comprehensive package of measures to tackle VED evasion. These measures range from reminder letters, penalties and court prosecutions through to the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, wheel-clamping and the removal of unlicensed vehicles. The latest figures show that 98.6% of all motorists comply with the requirement to pay VED.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the amount of the revenue element of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in (1) 2014–15, and (2) 2015–16.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

In 2014-15, £64.9m revenue funding was provided through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. A further £64.5m was provided in 2015-16.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-01-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice and guidance has been provided by Public Health England in relation to the commissioning and performance management of prison healthcare service for prisoners diagnosed with Hepatitis C or identified as being at risk of developing Hepatitis C.

Lord Prior of Brampton

Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and the National Offender Manager Service (NOMS) have worked together to improve the diagnosis of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) (including Hepatitis C) among people in prison and to provide access to treatment and care for those infected through collaborative implementation of the BBV opt-out testing programme, published in the National Partnership Agreement in 2015. A copy of the Agreement is attached.

PHE has published detailed expert advice to commissioners and prison healthcare services on all aspects of implementation of BBV opt-out testing, including testing and treatment algorithms. Further, PHE has supported dissemination of guidance through a programme of training and engagement events in partnership with the voluntary sector. PHE has co-developed with NHS England and NOMS a set of performance metrics called the Health & Justice Indicators of Performance (HJIPs) to provide data on the number of people tested, the number requiring treatment and those referred for treatment which supports commissioners in performance management of prison healthcare services.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will outline the decision-making process following their expected announcement on airport expansion in the South East, and at what stage in that process there will be a vote in Parliament.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

On 14 December 2015, the Government formally announced that it accepted the Airports Commission’s case for new runway capacity in the South East, as well as the Commission’s three shortlisted schemes. At the same time, it was also announced that the Department for Transport would undertake a package of further work which it anticipates will conclude over the summer. Alongside this, they would prepare an airports national policy statement as the framework for implementing decisions on airport capacity in line with the Planning Act 2008. National policy statements are designated in Parliament, at which point there can be a vote.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-06-28.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to ensure that the UK delivers on the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, to which it committed at the 69th World Health Assembly on 28 May.

Baroness Verma

The UK is supporting efforts to tackle viral hepatitis through a number of different channels. We support hygiene promotion and improving access to clean and safe water, to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis A and E. We are the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which increases access to immunisation in low income countries – including protection against hepatitis B. We support UNITAID, which is working to improve access to better diagnostics for hepatitis C, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), which is working to reduce prices and increase access to new treatments. In addition DFID supports comprehensive harm reduction programmes and strategies through its support to the Global Fund, which help reduce transmission of both HIV and Hepatitis C.

DFID’s health focus is to improve the provision of basic health services for the poorest by strengthening health systems, improving health worker capacity and increasing access to essential medicines and equipment. Increasing coverage, access and quality will strengthen health services to address all health problems including viral hepatitis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-10-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or agreements they have made, with Amazon and other retailers about the use of drones for deliveries.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Civil Aviation Authority have assessed an operational safety case submitted by Amazon and granted permission for the current trials to be undertaken. Discussions have taken place between Government and Amazon around their current trials and future plans for the UK. A non-disclosure agreement has been put in place with Amazon that sets out how confidential information relating to their UK drone delivery trials should be handled. No discussions have been had or agreements put in place with any other retailers about the use of drones for deliveries.