Tag: Mark Durkan

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ report entitled, Core Standards for Pain Management Services in the UK, published in October 2015, whether his Department has given any consideration to the contents of that report.

Jane Ellison

NHS England has welcomed the publication of the Core Standards for Pain Management report in the United Kingdom, published by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in October 2015. Andrew Baranowski, the Chair of NHS England’s Clinical Reference Group for Specialised Pain contributed to this work, which sets out core standards and key recommendations in the management of pain; the commissioning of pain management services and the development of the workforce.

The report is available at:

http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/system/files/FPM-CSPMS-UK2015.pdf

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-02-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on funding for Erbitux from April 2016.

George Freeman

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 February 2016 to Question 27585.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-05-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the reported raid of Nabil Adib’s office by Sudan’s national security and intelligence services and the alleged assault and arrest of people in that office.

James Duddridge

The International Federation for Human Rights, World Organisation Against Torture and African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies have all reported on the alleged raid on Nabil Adib’s office on 5 May. We have raised our concerns about this case directly with the Government of Sudan, most recently during the visit of the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan on 11 to 12 May. We will continue to monitor this case closely.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens are known to have been detained, interrogated and subsequently denied entry by Israel in the last 12 months.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

​According to Israeli figures 129 000 British nationals have visited Israel since 1 January 2016, and 50 British nationals have been refused entry into Israel through Ben-Gurion Airport. Of these, 25 sought assistance from the British Embassy. A further 65 British nationals have been refused entry at the Allenby Bridge.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will ensure that any agreement on a central registry of beneficial ownership in the Cayman Islands will include access for the public with legitimate reason.

Mr Hugo Swire

I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer given by my Rt Hon Friend, the Member for South West Hertfordshire (David Gauke MP), the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to questions 10437, 10438 and 10448, which sets out the criteria we expect the Overseas Territories to meet in relation to their central register of company beneficial ownership, or similarly effective system.

We are continuing our dialogue with the Anguilla authorities on this and have offered any technical support that might be required as they develop their proposals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-01-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of additional dialysis beds and staff costs to the NHS in the event of NICE’s review of TA 85 [ID456] of immunosuppressant agents for kidney transplant is upheld.

George Freeman

We have made no such estimate.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently updating its technology appraisal guidance on immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplant in adults. NICE consulted on its draft recommendations in August 2015 and published its final draft recommendations in December. NICE currently expects to publish its final guidance later this year.

It will be for local National Health Service organisations to consider the impact of the NICE recommendations following guidance publication. NICE will publish a resource impact assessment alongside its guidance to support local implementation of its recommendations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take in the event of a continued deterioration in the political and security situation in Burundi.

James Duddridge

The UK Government is extremely concerned about the situation in Burundi. We remain committed to supporting efforts to end the crisis and broker a peaceful solution as soon as possible. We have played an active role in ensuring that the international community maintains the pressure on the Government of Burundi to stop the cycle of violence and participate meaningfully in dialogue.

On 17 December I visited Burundi at the end of a three day visit to the region also including stops in Uganda and Rwanda. I used the visit to highlight the deteriorating situation, condemn the violence, and urge all parties, including regional players, to take concrete steps together to find a political solution. On 22 January the UK participated in a UN Security Council Visit to Burundi which delivered a similar, united message. On 27 and 28 January I attended the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa. In my various meetings at the Summit, including with AU Chairperson Madam Zuma, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Smail Chergui and a range of other regional leaders, I stressed the importance of the AU continuing to lead the international response to the deteriorating situation. The UK has led efforts to put into place EU sanctions against four human rights offenders. Should Burundi continue to refuse to engage in dialogue and the political and security situation continue to deteriorate, we will push for further EU sanctions against those blocking progress towards peace. On 14 March the EU announced the suspension of its direct development funding to the Burundian Government.

The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to the regional refugee crisis. In Tanzania, Department for International Development (DFID) is providing £14.5 million and in Rwanda £6.9 million to support refugees. DFID is also supporting the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) to strengthen humanitarian coordination in Burundi. We are also planning to enhance the British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) in Bujumbura with a joint DFID and FCO Burundi Coordinator who will support the UK’s non-resident Ambassador to Burundi and ensure that the UK is represented on the ground.

We are also working with our partners, including at the UN and AU, to ensure that the international community is ready to respond should the security situation in Burundi deteriorate rapidly. We stand ready to contribute to an international intervention, should the need arise.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services had a role in the recent deaths of student protestors.

James Duddridge

We are deeply concerned by the deaths of two students during recent protests, including allegations of the National Intelligence and Security Service’s involvement. We have raised our concerns with the Government of Sudan and believe that a full and transparent investigation should be undertaken to ensure those responsible are held to account.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in how many instances his Department’s procurement department sought further information from a company on potential corruption, bribery or fraud in the last two years.

Harriett Baldwin

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) routinely carries out checks on potential contractors prior to contract award, including on criminal activity, such as convictions for tax evasion, bribery or fraud, and a review of a company’s audited accounts. These enquiries are conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011.

This process is reiterated in all competitive and single source tender documentation issued to tenderers prior to any contract award.

Any suspicion of corruption is reported to the appropriate authority. Where justified, the MOD can exclude potential suppliers who pose an unacceptable risk to public money.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress made by Anguilla since June 2013 in meeting the Prime Minister’s ambition for a public register of beneficial ownership.

Mr Hugo Swire

I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer given by my Rt Hon Friend, the Member for South West Hertfordshire (David Gauke MP), the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to questions 10437, 10438 and 10448, which sets out the criteria we expect the Overseas Territories to meet in relation to their central register of company beneficial ownership, or similarly effective system.

We are continuing our dialogue with the Anguilla authorities on this and have offered any technical support that might be required as they develop their proposals.