Tag: David Mackintosh

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will consider securing a suitable site in central London for a permanent monument to the death of Sikh people in the First World War.

David Evennett

Government fully recognises the outstanding military contribution of Sikhs during the First World War.

It is for local groups and organisations interested in establishing such a memorial to work with the relevant local planning authority and other organisations to identify a suitable site and obtain the necessary planning permissions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken to assist London Midland in tackling fare evasion on the West Coast Mainline.

Claire Perry

The Department funded a ticketless travel survey in Summer 2015 that highlighted to London Midland where there is lost revenue across their network. London Midland are obliged to maximise revenue in the franchise and it is in their interests to reduce ticketless travel. The public consultation that closed in February 2016 for the new West Midlands franchise asked for views on how ticketless travel can be improved for the next franchise that is due to commence in October 2017.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2016 to Question 22430, what plans his Department has to issue guidance on treatment best practice to (a) healthcare professionals and (b) partners in the military charity sector.

Mark Lancaster

As stated in my answer to Question 22430, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has funded extensive research into Gulf War Illness, including some research into rehabilitative therapies for those veterans with persistent symptoms. There are no plans to fund any further research.

The MOD has no plans to issue guidance on treatment best practice to healthcare professionals or partners in the military charity sector in respect of veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf Conflict. Neither do we have any plans in January 2016 to communicate the findings of independent research on the 1990-91 Gulf Conflict, published in the UK or overseas, to UK veterans.

There is a wide range of support already available to veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf conflict. This can be accessed through MOD’s Veterans UK website and free help line.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-03-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to ensure (a) the efficiency of the transition to new courts of cases from courts that are planned for closure and (b) minimal adverse effect on those remaining courts.

Mr Shailesh Vara

Implementation of court closures has commenced and is expected to take place on a phased basis over the next two years. A schedule of anticipated closure dates has been published and can be accessed online at www.gov.uk/moj.

Detailed implementation plans are being developed by each region of HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Local implementation groups will be established to oversee each closure. They will work in close cooperation with the judiciary where appropriate. The groups are responsible for ensuring that the transfer of work to receiving sites takes place efficiently and that effective service delivery is maintained at receiving sites throughout the process of court closure.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-04-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all people diagnosed with HIV have access to (a) pre-exposure prophylaxis and (b) other treatments.

Jane Ellison

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new use of HIV drugs which has shown clinical effectiveness in research trials at preventing HIV in people at high risk of getting HIV such as men who have sex with men and people with HIV-positive partners. PrEP would not be suitable for people who already have diagnosed HIV. However, in July 2015, NHS England approved a significant new investment in a ‘Treatment as Prevention’ programme whereby HIV drugs are offered to all newly diagnosed patients whatever their CD4 count. Previously, treatment would begin when the CD4 count has declined to 350 cells/mm3 or less. This will significantly decrease the chance of HIV transmission between individuals and also reduces the risk of illness in the person with HIV.

The National Health Service continues to deliver excellent HIV treatment and care for people with HIV with referrals into services within two weeks of diagnosis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-04-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people diagnosed with dementia have access to appropriate treatment and support.

Jane Ellison

Dementia is a key priority for the government.

That is why in February 2015, the Prime Minister launched his new Challenge on Dementia 2020 to make sure that dementia care, support, awareness and research are transformed by 2020. The Challenge Implementation Plan, published in March 2016, set out the actions partners across health and care will take to ensure commitments in the 2020 Challenge are delivered. These include:

― every person diagnosed with dementia having meaningful care following their diagnosis, which supports them and those around them;

― information made available locally on post-diagnosis services and how these can be accessed;

― access to relevant advice and support to help and advice on what happens after a diagnosis and the support available through the journey; and

― carers of people with dementia being made aware of and offered the opportunity for respite, education, training, emotional and psychological support so that they feel able to cope with their caring responsibilities and to have a life alongside caring.

Alongside the Implementation Plan the Department has published, together with key dementia stakeholders, a “Joint Declaration on Post-Diagnostic Dementia Care and Support”. This sets out the key principles of good quality post-diagnostic care for people with dementia. All partners across the health and social care system are working to deliver services in line with the Joint Declaration and Implementation Plan.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will make representations to the Advertising Standards Authority to change the guidelines for broadband speed advertisements to increase the proportion of broadband customers who must reach the stated speed on their internet connection.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy has met and written to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), encouraging it to strengthen its rules on broadband speed claims in advertising. We consider that the proportion of customers who can receive the headline speed should be higher than their guidelines stipulate (10%) and have asked to ASA to examine this.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps she has taken to promote LGBT rights in the workplace.

Caroline Dinenage

Improving LGB&T people’s experience at work is a key priority for this government. The Equality Act 2010 provides one of the world’s strongest legislative frameworks to prevent and tackle discrimination, harassment and victimisation in employment, including because of sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

We also fund the Equality Advisory & Support Service, which provides free information, advice and support on equality and human rights issues to LGB&T people and others who may have been discriminated against at work.

In addition, we recently published guidance for employers on the recruitment and retention of transgender employees. The guidance contains practical advice, suggestions and ideas to help improve knowledge and understanding about transgender issues in the workplace, and helps employers comply with the law.

We will continue to engage with LGB&T organisations, employers, trade unions and individuals to understand and address the challenges for LGB&T people in the workplace.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2016 to Question 22430, what plans his Department has to communicate those developments in domestic and international research referred to UK Gulf War veterans.

Mark Lancaster

As stated in my answer to Question 22430, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has funded extensive research into Gulf War Illness, including some research into rehabilitative therapies for those veterans with persistent symptoms. There are no plans to fund any further research.

The MOD has no plans to issue guidance on treatment best practice to healthcare professionals or partners in the military charity sector in respect of veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf Conflict. Neither do we have any plans in January 2016 to communicate the findings of independent research on the 1990-91 Gulf Conflict, published in the UK or overseas, to UK veterans.

There is a wide range of support already available to veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf conflict. This can be accessed through MOD’s Veterans UK website and free help line.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-03-17.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken to increase the level of voter registration in schools, colleges and universities.

John Penrose

The Government has made it easier and quicker to register to vote than ever before through online registration. Since June 2014, 3.6 million people aged 16-24 have applied to register to vote, with 2.7 million of these applications made online. The Government has also worked with various youth organisations such as NUS and Sixth Form Colleges Association, to encourage voter registration among students.