Tag: Margaret Hodge

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-01-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the UK Genetics Testing Network plans to conduct an evaluation of genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutations.

George Freeman

NHS England offers BRCA testing to individuals with a greater than 10% chance of carrying the mutation, using a model based on the individual’s personal and family history of cancers. Data is not collected centrally on reasons for women choosing to take a test for the BRCA1/2 gene mutation.

The UK Genetic Testing Network is working with NHS England, the devolved administrations and the Health and Social Care Information Centre to collect and publish United Kingdom-wide data on molecular genetic testing activity. Data collection is expected to have been completed by the summer of 2016 with a full update prepared for publication by the end of the year. However, it is not intended that this will include specific data for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing activity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will publish a list of all secondees to his Department from (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) KPMG and (e) other consulting firms in the last three financial years; and what the role was of each of those secondees.

David Mundell

In the last three financial years, there have been no secondees at the Scotland Office from PwC, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, KPMG or any other consulting firms.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times his Department has used the services of (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) KPMG and (e) other consulting firms in the last three financial years; and what (i) work was undertaken and (ii) the cost to the public purse was on each such occasion.

Harriett Baldwin

Detailed information about the work undertaken in individual contracts could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The table below shows the number of times the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has used the services of PwC, Deloitte, Ernst and Young and KPMG and the total expenditure for each financial year.

Although the MOD can identify its direct expenditure with individual companies it does not specifically record centrally if the company is a consultancy firm. It is therefore not possible to identify (e) other consulting firms without being provided with a list of specific companies. Non-consulting companies can also provide consultancy services to the MOD as part of a larger contract.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Government expects to host the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council; what he expects to be on the agenda for that meeting; and what outcomes he expects to achieve from that meeting.

Sir Alan Duncan

The annual Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) brings together political leaders from the Overseas Territories and UK Ministers. It will meet this year in London from 1-2 November and will be hosted by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE.

An agenda is being developed in partnership with territory leaders and reflects areas key to our shared interests. It is likely to include, but not be limited to, sessions on economic development, good governance and human rights (including child safeguarding), as well as the challenges and opportunities arising from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. A communiqué will be issued following the conclusion of the JMC. The UK Government will update the House by written ministerial statement afterwards.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-02-01.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax disputes with large businesses HM Revenue and Customs is engaged in; and what the value is of the tax that is being contested in those disputes.

Mr David Gauke

Until 31 March 2014, HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Large Business Service dealt with the tax affairs of around 800 of the largest businesses in the UK. From 1 April 2014, HMRC’s new Large Business directorate deals with the tax affairs of around 2,000 large businesses.

At 31 December 2015, HMRC had enquiries open with 1,117 of the large businesses dealt with by the Large Business Directorate, covering 3,981 risks with £20.3 billion tax under consideration.

At 31 December 2015, HMRC had enquiries open with 567 of the largest 800 businesses covering 2,826 risks with £16.8 billion tax under consideration.

Tax under consideration is not actual tax either owed or unpaid. Rather, it is a tool which HMRC uses to guide its enquiries to focus on the most significant risks that exist at any particular time. The total is just a snapshot of work in progress and will naturally fluctuate as risks are addressed and new ones taken up.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many times his Department has used the services of (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) KPMG and (e) other consulting firms in the last three financial years; and what (i) work was undertaken and (ii) the cost to the public purse was on each such occasion.

David Mundell

The Scotland Office has not used the services of (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) KPMG and (e) other consulting firms in the last three financial years.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of all secondees to his Department from (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) KPMG and (e) other consulting firms in the last three financial years; and what the role was of each of those secondees.

Mark Lancaster

Fewer than five employees from PwC, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, KPMG and other consulting firms were seconded to the Ministry of Defence within the last three years. Due to the low numbers involved, a breakdown of companies and job roles has not been provided.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many companies her Department has excluded from public procurement for (a) a conviction for wrongdoing defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or (b) grave professional misconduct since January 2015.

Rory Stewart

Since January 2015 there have been no instances where DFID Procurement and Commercial Department (PCD) have excluded a company from a Public Procurement for the circumstances cited.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-03-03.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether local authorities will be required to seek specific permission from Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government if they wish to provide an exemption from the anti-advocacy clause in a grant agreement.

Matthew Hancock

The new clause applies to all central government grants. We expect that exemptions will be rare and these will need to be approved by the relevant Minister.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times his Department has used the services of (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) KPMG and (e) other consulting firms in the last three financial years; and what (i) work was undertaken and (ii) the cost to the public purse was on each such occasion.

Mr John Hayes

To provide the detailed spend and purpose information requested on each individual occasion would require manual intervention and analysis on approximately 30,000 payments across the Department for Transport and its agencies. The number of times an organisation was used will also vary each year as projects can span financial years and this could lead to double counting with the risk that inaccurate information is provided. I am therefore unable to provide the information in the format requested.