Tag: Diana Johnson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-07-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the status of British academics wishing to be included in cross-European research project applications funded by the EU.

Joseph Johnson

I have been in close contact with Commissioner Moedas on the topic of cross Europe research funding. The Commission have been very supportive of the UK perspective that while the UK remains a member of the EU, current EU funding and collaboration arrangements continue unchanged. And as we announced on the 13^th August, the Treasury will underwrite funding for approved Horizon 2020 projects applied for before the UK leaves the European Union.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2016 to Question 40553, whether (a) local Health and Wellbeing Boards, (b) Clinical Commissioning Groups, (c) NHS Trusts, (d) hon. Members and (e) members of the public will be consulted ahead of the implementation of Sustainability and Transformation Plans.

David Mowat

Clinical commissioning groups and National Health Service trusts have come together with local authorities to decide how to improve health and care services in their local area. This is a unique exercise in collaboration, with local doctors, hospitals and councils working together to decide the way forward in consultation with local communities.

We expect all local leaders to be regularly talking to members of the public and stakeholders, including hon. Members. It is vital that people are able to shape the future of their local services. No changes to the services people currently receive will be made without local engagement and, where required, consultation. There are longstanding assurance processes in place to make sure this happens. The national health and care bodies are about to publish engagement guidance for local areas developing Sustainability and Transformation Plans.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2016 to Question 42107, on Islamic State, what factors would need to change for a referral to the International Criminal Court to be considered practical; what discussions the Government has had with (a) Russia, (b) China and (c) other permanent members of the UN Security Council on securing their vote for a referral; and what the Government’s latest assessment is of (i) Russia’s and (ii) China’s policy on that issue.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We expect that any Security Council resolution at this time seeking to refer the situations in Iraq or Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) would be blocked, as it was when efforts were made to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC in 2014. We continue to work with our international partners, including other permanent members of the UN Security Council, to look at every available option to assist the victims of Daesh and bring those responsible for crimes to justice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many trade negotiators his Department plans to employ by the end of the current fiscal year.

Mr Robin Walker

Britain has been at the forefront of the free trade-supporting countries in the EU for the last 40 years. The Department for Exiting the EU now has over 200 staff plus the expertise of over 120 officials in Brussels, and is growing fast. The overall size and scope of the new Department, including staffing and budget, are regularly reviewed. We will ensure we are appropriately staffed to deal with all aspects of the forthcoming negotiation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 against British soldiers in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan the Government subsequently found to be spurious in each year since 2009-10.

Mike Penning

Legal actions citing the Human Rights Act, whether judicial reviews or personal injury claims, are normally brought against the Secretary of State for Defence rather than against individual Service personnel (on the basis that the Ministry of Defence is vicariously liable for their acts). The Courts allow or dismiss claims in whole or in part. There have been approximately 1,400 such judicial review claims and 1,000 personal injury claims stemming from our military oprations in Iraq and Afgahnistan. The vast majority of them have not yet been heard, as they are queued behind a small number of lead cases. It is the view of the Government, based on the findings of the Al-Sweady public inquiry and other evidence, that large numbers of these claims are likely to be exaggerated or spurious.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how (a) much funding from the public purse has been allocated to and (b) many full-time equivalent staff were employed by (i) UK Visas and Immigration and (ii) the UK Human Trafficking Centre for their work in relation to the National Referral Mechanism in each of year since 2009-10.

Sarah Newton

Staff in the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit (MSHTU, formally UKHTC), and the Home Office UKVI who engage in work related to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) often undertake additional or different work based on changing priorities. It is therefore not possible to provide figures on the budget and full-time equivalent staff dedicated to the NRM function.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-19.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what support the Government plans to provide to Hull for the national LGBT+ Pride festival in 2017; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage

The Government is considering different options for celebrating and supporting pride events in 2017 and will provide further details in due course.

At Pride this year, the Government demonstrated its commitment to LGB&T equality in different ways: we flew the rainbow flag on top of the government buildings; the Prime Minister Theresa May issued a statement of solidarity with the LGB&T community ahead of the Brighton Pride, and I released an op-ed ahead of the Portsmouth Pride.

We are looking forward to celebrating the diversity of our communities at Pride next year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many full-time equivalent officials were employed in his predecessor’s renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU in 2015-16; and if he will estimate the total cost to the public purse of that renegotiation process.

Mr David Jones

All departments were equipped with the resources they needed to manage the renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU in 2015-16. As a new department we do not hold data on staffing within other departments during that process or the estimated costs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on the UK’s obligations as agreed in the August 2015 joint ministerial declarations, Managing migratory flows in Calais, of the French government’s decision to close the Calais camp for refugees and migrants.

Mr Robert Goodwill

Although the decision to clear the camp in Calais is a matter for the French Government, the UK and France remain committed to working together to protect our shared border in Calais and address the humanitarian challenges in the camps.

Both governments are clear that those in northern France in need of protection should claim asylum in France and those not in need should return to their home country.

Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of children in the camps. The UK Government has made clear its commitment to transfer unaccompanied refugee children under the 2016 Immigration Act, where it is in their best interests, and to ensure those with close family in the UK are brought here using the Dublin Regulation.