Tag: Jim Shannon

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department takes to ensure that UK funding to Nigeria reaches the people most in need.

Mr Nick Hurd

To ensure UK aid reaches the most vulnerable recipients, leaving no one behind, we work with implementing partners who have a strong track record of prioritising assistance to those most in need. DFID independently monitors all its programmes and aid impact is also reviewed by The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the waiting time for spouses seeking visas to undertake English language tests.

James Brokenshire

The Home Office is not aware of any issues with regards to waiting times for Secure English Language Testing (SELT).

In the UK, customers should be able to book a test within 28 days, often within a few days. In countries where there are permanent test centres customers should again be able to book tests within 28 days. In busy periods, the centres will test more frequently.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the adult population had raised cholesterol in each of the last five years; and what steps his Department is taking to (a) raise awareness of cholesterol and (b) reduce the number of people with high cholesterol.

Jane Ellison

National estimates of cholesterol in adults is measured yearly by the Health Survey for England (HSE). Data on raised cholesterol from the HSE were last published by Health and Social Care Information Centre in 2012, using the latest data from 2011. The data showed 52% of men and 53% of women aged 16+ had raised cholesterol.

Information on cholesterol and its impact on health can be accessed on the NHS Choices website. Information on cholesterol as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease was also shared directly with 7.4 million people between April 2013 and September 2015 as part of the NHS Health Check invitation. Over the same period, over 3.5 million people between 40 and 74 years also benefited from a cholesterol check as part of the NHS Health Check.

The Government advocates a healthy balanced diet based on the eatwell plate and everyday activity to improve health. People should consume no more than 11% of their food energy as saturated fat. Reducing saturated fat consumption reduces blood cholesterol levels. Advice about cutting saturated fat intake and becoming more physically active can be found on the NHS Choices and Change4Life websites.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what process was used for administering the ballot for tickets to the Thiepval Memorial event on 1 July 2016; whether observers were appointed to scrutinise that process; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch

Applicants were required to submit details online, or via a postal form, between 28 September and 18 November 2015. Once the ballot closed, a computer system randomly selected the successful applicants by their reference numbers – so that no weighting was added to any other factor such as geographic location or date of application.

The ballot was administered by an external company, SEE Tickets, with previous experience of the managing ticketing and ballots for large scale events. No additional observers were involved in the draw process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to minimise the time taken for military aircraft parts to be delivered to his Department’s bases in Cyprus.

Mr Philip Dunne

The supply chain to Cyprus is operating well in support of military aircraft based there with aircraft parts delivered in a timely fashion ensuring there are no disruptions to military operations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the transition to the equalised state pension for women affected by those changes.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland are in regular contact on the range of pensions issues. Additionally, DWP Ministers meet from time to time with the Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development to discuss matters of common interest. Indeed, the Minister for Pensions is scheduled to meet the Minister for Social Development next month to discuss a number of pension matters.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-12.

To ask the Attorney General, whether he has had discussions with his Northern Ireland counterparts on the recent case of Pastor James McConnell.

Robert Buckland

The Attorney General and I have not had any discussions on Pastor McConnell’s case with the Attorney General for Northern Ireland or the Public Prosecution Service. The decision to prosecute was a matter for the Public Prosecution Service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Libyan government on tackling the spread of Daesh

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are extremely concerned about the growing threat from extremist groups in Libya, including Daesh. The recent attacks in the Oil Crescent and Zliten in western Libya show the threat that these groups pose to the stability of Libya and the region, and potentially to the UK and our interests. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) spoke to Prime Minister Designate, Fayez al-Serraj, on 10 January to stress the importance of the Government of National Accord forming quickly, and to emphasise the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the new government to tackle the threats from Daesh and people smuggling.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Merchant Navy on implementation of that organisation’s dry ship policy.

Mr Robert Goodwill

It is for individual shipping companies to determine their policy on alcohol; the Department has not had any discussions on the matter. The Department is aware of the guidelines to shipping companies on alcohol misuse produced by the industry’s National Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Committee, and commends this advice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate against (a) high level missile and (b) cyber threats from Russia.

Penny Mordaunt

The UK employs a range of capabilities to deter and defend against the threats emanating from potential adversaries; this includes the potential threat from ballistic missiles.

The cyber threat is continually changing in scope and complexity, and we continually review and adjust our security. Our approach spans technical, organisational, policy, procedural and physical measures.