Tag: Dan Jarvis

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking in response to the Ugandan anti-homosexuality act; and what steps she plans to take to encourage its repeal.

Lynne Featherstone

We have consistently raised concerns about the legislation with the Ugandan Government at the most senior levels, and sought assurances on the protection of individuals. Most recently, the Secretary of State for International Development and the Minister for Africa raised the issue with the Ugandan President on 6 May. We will continue to press the Ugandan Government at the highest levels to defend human rights for all.

The UK suspended all Budget Support to the Government of Uganda in 2013 following the misappropriation of donor funds. After the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act we assessed our programme to ensure that UK aid was not being provided to organisations that proactively and publically promoted the legislation. Following this, the UK and other donors suspended funding to one organisation. We will continue to monitor this situation. We are also stepping up our support to human rights organisations that protect minority rights in Uganda.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress has been made in implementing each of the recommendations of the review into the needs of families bereaved by homicide, published by his Department in July 2011.

Mike Penning

In July 2011 we published the Review into the Needs of Families Bereaved by Homicide by Louise Casey (then Victims’ Commissioner). She made a wide range of recommendations. Since then we have worked closely with victims and victims’ organisations and the report’s findings have played a critical role in informing our approach to ensuring that families get the help they need.

This includes plans to implement a victims law to put into statute the right of the victim to tell a court how a crime has affected them, providing families of homicide victims with a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks following the trial, and funding a dedicated national Homicide Service with more than £2million a year to support those affected by homicide at home and abroad.

Further information requested is in the table attached.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure proper support and welfare is available to asylum seekers accommodated in hotels and other establishments that provide lodging paid on a short-term basis.

James Brokenshire

The Home Office has a rigorous contract compliance regime in place including
monthly meetings with providers, quarterly and biannual strategic meetings.
These aim to ensure the required performance standards expected of all
providers as defined in the contracts is met. In addition, the COMPASS
contracts contain minimum standards of welfare that the provider must ensure is
provided to asylum applicants, this includes briefing applicants on services to
which they are entitled. For example giving details of how to use facilities in
the accommodation, access to essential services in the local area and contact
details for the provider and department so any concerns can be addressed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which company designed and what the cost to the public purse was of production in 2009 of the plans for a young offender institute at Glen Parva.

Jeremy Wright

Interserve designed the 2009 plans for a Young Offender Institution at Glen Parva with their designers, HLM Architects.

The previous Government spent £5.6 million on developing the plans for a new Young Offender Institution at Glen Parva up to 2010. Although the Secure College pathfinder will be fundamentally different from a Young Offender’s Institution, we are making use of the previous work where relevant.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers were accommodated in (a) hotels and (b) bed and breakfasts, hostels and other establishments that provide lodging paid on a short-term basis in (i) Barnsley, (ii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iii) the UK in each year since May 2010.

James Brokenshire

The department does not collect specific data on asylum applicants accommodated
in contingency accommodation. COMPASS providers have a responsibility to
provide suitable accommodation to asylum applicants. The COMPASS contracts
allow providers to use alternative or temporary initial accommodation (IA) as
contingency in exceptional circumstances, for example when the existing
nominated IA is full. This may include the use of hotels for a short term
period until such time as the asylum seeker is accommodated in the IA or
provided with dispersal accommodation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve care for veterans suffering with psychological injuries after their service.

Anna Soubry

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 8 May 2014, (Official Report, column 277W) to the hon Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock). In addition to the initiatives outlined in that answer, I would also note that the mental health of our personnel and veterans is a top priority for the Government and that is why we have committed £7.2 million to ensure there is extensive mental health support in place for those who need it.