Tag: Jim Cunningham

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received from his Turkish counterpart on the ongoing situation in Iraq and Syria; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington

We regularly discuss the situation in Syria and Iraq with the Turkish Government. I last met with my Turkish counterpart in August where we discussed the need to support a political solution in Syria and the Iraqi government’s efforts to combat ISIL. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge has spoken with the Turkish Foreign Minister a number of times in the last month, where both Ministers made clear that the UK and Turkey would continue to cooperate closely on the situation in Syria and Iraq.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from his Russian counterpart on Russian military operations in Syria and Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has received a number of representations from the Russian Government regarding military operations in Syria and Iraq. Most recently, the Russian Ambassador to the UK met FCO officials on 8 October 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance and support her Department is providing to refugees based in Turkey; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne

Turkey hosts almost 2.1 million refugees from Syria, the highest number of refugees of any country in the region surrounding Syria. We commend the generosity that Turkey has shown towards those fleeing the conflict in Syria. The UK has allocated £34 million to support Syrian refugees in Turkey, including food, shelter and primary healthcare. The UK is also working in partnership with Turkish institutions on targeted projects to build their capacity to tackle irregular migration. The EU is currently working in partnership with the Turkish government to explore options for increased support to Turkey. The UK is engaged in this process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of public health measures designed to limit sugar consumption; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison

We requested that Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of the Department responsible for improving the nation’s health and wellbeing, prepare evidence for the Government on reducing sugar consumption. This was published on 22 October and can be found on the GOV.UK website. Ministers are considering the evidence and working closely with PHE to develop policy in this area.

Sugar Reduction: The evidence for action is available at:

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/470179/Sugar_reduction_The_evidence_for_action.pdf

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is providing to local authorities to meet localised demand for parking spaces; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Local authorities have the power and responsibility to provide adequate parking provision in their area. They are best placed to understand and ensure the parking needs of their local communities are met. It would be inappropriate for Central Government to intervene in this matter. Communities now have the opportunity to challenge local authorities’ parking policies if they think provision is inadequate. This is set out at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-challenge-parking-policies.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what review his Department has conducted of average waiting times for NHS services across England and Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison

Although the Department does not conduct reviews of average waiting times in the National Health Service in England, NHS England publish on a monthly basis a full and comprehensive set of data on NHS performance against operational waiting time standards. Health is a devolved matter in Wales.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has carried out of the adequacy of parking capacity across local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Local authorities have the power and responsibility to provide adequate parking provision in their area. They are best placed to understand and ensure the parking needs of their local communities are met. It would be inappropriate for Central Government to intervene in this matter. Communities now have the opportunity to challenge local authorities’ parking policies if they think provision is inadequate. This is set out at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-challenge-parking-policies.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to better identify pyramid schemes involving UK nationals; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles

The Department has no plans to identify pyramid selling schemes.

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) regulate how traders market and promote goods and services to consumers by prohibiting unfair commercial practices, such as the use of misleading actions or aggressive commercial practices. Establishing, operating or promoting a Pyramid scheme, where the intention is that a consumer receives compensation primarily from the introduction of other consumers into the scheme, rather than from the sale or consumption of products, is a banned practice under the CPRs. Enforcement of the CPRs is by local authority trading standards services.

Alleged breaches of the CPRs should be reported, in the first instance, to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 (https://www.adviceguide.org.uk/). The helpline offers a free service advising consumers on their rights and passes on details of complaints to Trading Standards services where appropriate.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to better regulate financial service providers working in the UK (a) in general and (b) specifically those selling off-shore services and investment opportunities; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for the regulation of financial services in the UK.

This is therefore a matter for the FCA, who are operationally independent from Government.

The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received from groups representing junior doctors on their current working conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer

Junior doctors play a vital role in our National Health Service and deserve a professional and fair contract that supports patient care. We also want to work with NHS staff to better support a seven day NHS. This is why the Government wants to reduce the number of hours worked by juniors and has guaranteed that average earnings will be maintained.

The best deal for junior doctors will be achieved by the British Medical Association (BMA) coming to the table to negotiate on their behalf. This is a view shared by the medical Royal Colleges, NHS Providers and others. To this end, the Government has provided the BMA and junior doctors with cast iron reassurances about its approach to a new contract and sincerely hopes that the BMA will return to the table.

Ministers receive regular representations from groups representing junior doctors.

My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State met Mark Porter, BMA Council Chair and Dr Johann Malawana as part of an introductory meeting following Dr Malawana’s election as Chair of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee (JDC). Ministers also meet regularly with representatives of medical Royal Colleges on a range of issues. At a recent meeting junior doctors working conditions were raised and the junior doctor training experience discussed.

Recent written representations on junior doctors working conditions have been received by Ministers from:

Dr Mark Porter, BMA Council chair and Dr Johann Malawana, BMA JDC chair.

Professor Maureen Baker, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners Council.

Dr Clifford Mann, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, on behalf of ten royal college presidents.

Professor Sir Simon Wessely, President of the Royal college of Psychiatrists.

A related e-petition with created by M J Peluso has been published at the following link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/108782

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