Tag: Fiona Bruce

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to consult faith groups on the criteria and processes for decisions that will be made on whether expressions of belief are considered extreme for the purposes of its counter-extremism strategy and policies resulting from that strategy.

Karen Bradley

The Government definition of extremism is ‘vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.’ We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.

Vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, in particular mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs within the Counter-Extremism Strategy definition of extremism is consistent with the incitement provisions within the Public Order Act 1986, in particular Part 3 aimed at those who stir up racial or religious hatred.

We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values. But we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.

Government has engaged widely on the Counter-Extremism Strategy, and continues to engage with partners – including faith groups and communities on the implementation of the Strategy’s measures.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what (a) number and (b) proportion of those respondents to his Department’s consultation, Devolving Sunday trading rules, published on 5 August 2015, answered (i) yes, (ii) no and (iii) otherwise to Question 1 in that consultation.

Anna Soubry

The Department does not hold full data from this consultation broken down by specific question as a large portion of respondents chose to respond in their own words rather than addressing the consultation questions directly, and/or did not indicate the type of organisation they represented.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-03-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department plans to provide to refugees from Burundi.

Mr Nick Hurd

HMG is concerned by the ongoing political unrest in Burundi, and its humanitarian consequences. DFID has provided over £21 million since April 2015 to support Burundian refugees in Tanzania and Rwanda. We continue to monitor the situation and will consider further support if need arises.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been treated with adult stem cells in the UK in each of the last 10 years.

George Freeman

The Department does not hold data on the number of patients receiving stem cell treatments.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been convicted of offences under section 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 related to abortions in each year since 1986; and what each such case was.

Caroline Dinenage

The number of offenders found guilty at all courts in England and Wales, from 1986 to 2015, can be viewed in the table. The figures from 2005 onwards are a further breakdown of data published in the outcomes by offences data tool in the annual Criminal Justice Statistics publication, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2015

Information as to whether each case referred to abortion or miscarriage Is not available.

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2015-11-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the finalised route phase two of the High Speed 2 rail line; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill

We have committed to setting out the Government’s plan for the HS2 Phase Two route in an update to the House before the end of this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Attorney General, what steps he has taken to promote pro bono work amongst members of the legal profession in the last 12 months.

Robert Buckland

The Attorney General and I chair two co-ordinating committees that bring together leading organisations dedicated to promoting the delivery of pro bono legal services by members of the legal profession, in conjunction with the voluntary sector in England and Wales and internationally.

Earlier this month, we took part in a range of events during National Pro Bono week, which is now regarded as an important annual national event and is supported by the legal professions, voluntary sector and law schools.

Over the past 12 months, we have supported a number of projects borne out of the co-ordinating committees, that we believe reinforce how important the pro bono movement is – not just domestically, but internationally as well.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-01-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, after how long it is his policy to take action when a local planning authority has not produced a playing pitch strategy; and what powers his Department has to taken such action after that period.

Tracey Crouch

Sport England, which helps local authorities develop and implement Playing Pitch Strategies to protect existing playing fields as well as meet future demand, recommends that the strategy should be updated every three years. In its role as statutory consultee, Sport England also monitors the number of planning applications that have an impact on playing fields and objects where it believes local sports provision could be harmed. As set out in our sports strategy, published last month, this Government is committed to improving the quality of community sports facilities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether his Department has undertaken impact assessments for different regions of the UK on developing Sunday trading regulations; and what assessment his Department has made of any particular effects of such devolving of regulations on rural and semi-rural areas.

Anna Soubry

My Department has carried out an assessment of the impacts of devolving the power to extend Sunday trading hours.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that all applications to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for a licence to carry out research using human admixed embryos are published on the HFEA website with a description of the research proposed.

Jane Ellison

It is for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to decide what information it places on its website. The HFEA has advised that it is reviewing its publication policy in readiness for the launch of its new website in summer 2016.