Tag: Keith Vaz

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports the Government has received on the operations of Daesh in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We assess that there is a risk that terrorist groups such as Daesh-Yemen, as well as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) may take advantage of the continued instability in Yemen. Countering such terrorist threats remains a priority for Her Majesty’s Government. We continue to work with regional and international partners to understand, assess and counter the terrorist threat from Yemen.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK Government staff were present at the UN-sponsored Yemeni peace talks in Kuwait in August 2016.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and his tireless efforts in working with all parties to bring about peace in Yemen. We deeply regret the failure of the parties to reach an agreement in Kuwait and we urge them to find the compromises that will end the current conflict. Our Ambassador to Yemen and other personnel were present at the Kuwait talks, however the Ambassador and other members of the international community did not participate directly in the talks.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what rules govern the movement of senior NHS staff to private sector organisations.

Ben Gummer

There are no central rules governing the movement of senior National Health Service staff into the private sector although local contracts may include restrictions aimed at preventing staff exploiting their knowledge of the NHS for commercial advantage.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in standardising the border control queue measurement system across airports, ferry ports and rail terminals.

James Brokenshire

Guidance on how queue measurements should be taken at UK border controls was updated in November 2015, following a review. This standardises the approach required for measuring queues. This guidance will be placed in the House Library.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-03-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of Spirit Healthcare’s Empower type 2 diabetes education programme on uptake of structured education by diabetics in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Jane Ellison

NHS England advises that the three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland decided to commission a diabetes education programme collectively from April 2016 to ensure that diabetes care was being provided equitably across the area. The diabetes education programme was put out to tender and Spirit Healthcare was the successful bidder with its EMPOWER programme.

The EMPOWER programme, which is based on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, is designed to reduce inequalities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The procurement was overseen by an Equality Lead from the CCGs to ensure patients’ needs were being met.

The CCGs will be monitoring the delivery of the contract and the uptake of the course. The service has been procured on the basis of a standard National Health Service contract and will be monitored according to the Quality Schedule within that. Additional quality measures will also be regularly evaluated such as patient experience, Friends and Family Test, course attendance and feedback from clinical leads.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-05-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has plans to hold an international donor conference for the humanitarian response in Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne

The top priority for the present has to be ending the conflict and ensuring aid can reach those in need. We are focused on supporting the UN-led peace talks, increasing commercial imports of food, fuel and medical supplies, and improving humanitarian access.

We will monitor progress against the 2016 UN appeal closely and consider whether a conference is helpful later this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support an end to the conflict in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

Peace talks remain the top priority. The UK continues to strongly support the work of UN Special Envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and his tireless efforts in working with all parties to bring about peace in Yemen. We deeply regret the failure of the parties to reach an agreement in Kuwait and urge them to find the compromises that will end the current conflict. The secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson) hosted the Foreign Ministers of the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in London on 19 July to discuss the situation in Yemen, including the deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation and to encourage commitment from the Yemeni parties to the political process. I represented the UK at a subsequent meeting in Jeddah on 25 August. It is critical that all parties to the conflict renew their commitment to the Cessation of Hostilities for the sake of the people of Yemen.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government plans to appoint a new Special Envoy to (a) Yemen and (b) Oman.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

There are no current plans to appoint a new special envoy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS trust chief executives have become private sector consultants after leaving that post.

Ben Gummer

We do not hold information on the employment of chief executives after they have left the National Health Service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on individuals or groups involved in smuggling people from mainland Europe to the UK; and what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who are engaged in such activities.

James Brokenshire

Europol holds intelligence on more than 40,000 individuals suspected of being involved in migrant smuggling. It would not be appropriate to comment further on ongoing UK operational activity to investigate groups and individuals engaged in smuggling people to the UK from mainland Europe. We will relentlessly pursue those who are engaged in people smuggling. Between 1st April 2015 and 8 March 2016, Immigration Enforcement has achieved 132 disruptions against criminals involved in organised immigration crime.

Last summer, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce bringing together officers from the National Crime Agency, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service to exploit every opportunity at source, in transit countries and in Europe to identify and tackle organised crime groups criminal operations. The Taskforce funding was subsequently expanded in November 2015 to increase resources to 100 dedicated officers until 2020.