Tag: Jim Shannon

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-03-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report by Professor Walton, entitled The likely effect of the Jackson reforms on insolvency litigation – an empirical investigation, published in 2013, what the evidential basis is for his policy on each of the conclusions of that report.

Dominic Raab

Ministry of Justice officials met Professor Walton and others on 12 October last year to discuss his report, but the Ministry of Justice did not agree with his conclusions. Our changes to no win no fee deals have tackled the increasing costs of litigation. We delayed bringing the law in for insolvency proceedings to allow the industry time to prepare. The no win no fee reforms in Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 will come into force for insolvency proceedings on 6 April this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-04-18.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the analysis by the Women’s Budget Group, that the distributional analysis that was produced alongside the Budget fails to adequately analyse the impact on women and men, either as individuals or across different types of households.

Harriett Baldwin

The government’s distributional analysis at Budget shows the proportion of tax paid and public services spending received by households. It shows that the richest fifth of households will be paying a greater proportion of taxes in 2019-20 than in the 2010-11 system as a result of government policy, while half of all spending on welfare and public services is still going to the poorest 40% of households.

In contrast with the government’s approach, the analysis produced by the Women’s Budget Group focuses on immediate cash impacts and assumes that extra government borrowing can make everyone better off. This ignores the fact that borrowing needs to be paid for and harms our long term economic security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to address neo-Nazi and extreme Islamist elements in prisons; and what steps he is taking to educate prisoners about democratic principles.

Andrew Selous

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) does not tolerate extremist behaviour of any ideology. Should prisoners demonstrate such behaviour staff will, where appropriate, subject them to disciplinary action, and/or ensure that they undertake appropriate interventions and education.

In order to ensure our current practice is as robust and effective as possible in dealing with extremism in prison, the Justice Secretary commissioned a review, supported by external expertise, of the overall approach to dealing with Islamist extremism in prisons, probation and the youth justice system and is currently considering the recommendations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with clinical bodies on potential links between moderate alcohol consumption and levels of (a) heart disease and (b) breast cancer.

Jane Ellison

Departmental officials have regular discussions with individuals and organisations, including clinical bodies, in which a wide range of topics are discussed. There have been no meetings specifically to discuss the potential links between moderate alcohol consumption and levels of heart disease and breast cancer.

However, the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have made an assessment of the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease and breast cancer as part of their review of the alcohol guidelines.

The advice that the UK CMOs give on how the public can limit their risks from drinking alcohol can be found at Gov.uk at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/health-risks-from-alcohol-new-guidelines

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-05-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure religious minorities are protected in Syria.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

Syria’s conflict has developed from peaceful protests against the government in 2011 to a violent insurgency that has complex international angles. Asad’s brutal actions have fuelled sectarian violence and the growth of Daesh. His regime is ultimately responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians. We support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan De Mistura, to seek agreement on a process of political transition in Syria. We are clear that there can be no military solution to the conflict. The UN led negotiations remain the best opportunity to end the conflict and achieve political transition away from Asad, leading to an inclusive government which can represent all Syrians.

The UK, as a core member of the International Syria Support Group has agreed that protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination is fundamental. This means seeking to ensure that Syrian minorities are included and safeguarded as the political process progresses. We are supporting non-governmental efforts to promote dialogue between different ethnic and sectarian groups in Syria, as we seek further progress on a political settlement.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with medical organisations on using DNA tests to help in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Jane Ellison

We are not aware of any discussions with medical organisations on using DNA tests to help in the diagnosis, and treatment, of breast cancer.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will suspend arms export licences and reject new applications for arms exports to any parties that risk using them in contravention of international humanitarian and human rights laws.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

All UK export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all available relevant information at the time of the application. A licence will not be issued if doing so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria, including the UK’s international obligations and its commitments to enforce UN, OSCE and EU arms embargoes, and where it is assessed there is a clear risk that the items might be used for internal repression or in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law. As part of its assessment under Criterion 2, the Government is required to take account of the risk the items might be used to commit gender-based violence or serious violence against women or children.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether 77th Brigade’s full operating capability has been met.

Penny Mordaunt

Following its establishment in April 2015, 77th Brigade is planned to reach full operating capability in December 2019.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-06-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether a decision has been made by the Gambling Commission, his Department and the Remote Gambling Association about who will manage the online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme when it is established.

David Evennett

All individual gambling operators are required by their licence conditions to put in place procedures for self-exclusion.

In May 2015, the Gambling Commission introduced a new licence condition which also requires online gambling operators, other than certain society lottery operators, to participate in a national online self-exclusion scheme once it is developed and available.

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) is currently developing the online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme on behalf of the online sector.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-07-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is giving to women soldiers in Iraq through (a) training and (b) provision of body armour.

Penny Mordaunt

The UK has trained female soldiers from the Iraqi Security Forces in infantry skills, combat first aid and explosive hazard awareness as part of the wider Coalition programme to build security force capacity in Iraq. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House on 2 September 2014 (Column 16WS), the UK has also gifted non-lethal equipment to the Peshmerga including enhanced combat body armour suitable for both men and women.