The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-02-01.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff at which grades were involved in the recent investigation into Google’s tax arrangements.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not disclose details of its work on the affairs of particular taxpayers.
HMRC’s Large Business directorate now deploys 2,600 staff – over 600 more than when it was formed in April 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-02-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civil law suits have been brought against his Department based either wholly or partially on grounds provided by the Human Rights Act 1998; how many such suits were settled out of court before a court judgment was delivered; and how much such settlements have cost the public purse since 2010.
Mark Lancaster
The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work capability assessments have been (a) completed and (b) cancelled by Maximus Health and Human Services Ltd in (i) total and (ii) each local authority area.
Priti Patel
Work capability assessments are delivered by Centre for Health Disability Assessments (CHDA is a MAXIMUS company).
Nationally, in the quarter from January 2016 to March 2016, the number of completed assessments was 417,143 and the number of cancellations was 10,143.
Information is not available by local authority area.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-04-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 17 March 2015 (HL5319) and by Lord Prior of Brampton on 25 April (HL7391), how the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) has been substantially reduced as a result of changes introduced by the HFEA since the publication of the McCracken Report in accordance with recommendations 10 and 11 and in the light of paragraphs 4.40 and 4.44; and what assessment they have made of the extent to which the lack of reporting by the HFEA of any adverse incidents to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has mitigated the risks of OHSS.
Lord Prior of Brampton
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that Ovarian HyperStimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is primarily a matter for clinical judgement and professional standards. The responsibility for reporting adverse reactions in accordance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 rests with clinics and the treating clinician. The number of serious adverse incidents of OHSS reported to the HFEA in each of the three years 2010-2012 was approximately 60. In 2013 it was 46, and in 2014 it was 42. Figures for 2015 will be published in September 2016.
Where the HFEA is made aware of information relevant to the regulatory functions of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the information is shared between the two organisations.
Recommendations 10 and 11 of the McCracken Report relate to a variety of issues not just OHSS. The HFEA has advised that its strategy for 2014–2017 fulfils these recommendations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of transport projects delivered from the Local Growth Fund have been dedicated to walking to date.
Mr Robert Goodwill
To date, around 36% of transport projects in Local Enterprise Partnerships’ Local Growth Fund programmes are solely or in part dedicated to walking projects.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what timeline he has set for the appointment of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement.
Margot James
The appointment of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement is being made through a formal recruitment process. A campaign was jointly launched by the Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy (BEIS) and the Home Office in June after the Immigration Act received Royal Assent in May 2016. Shortlisting took place during the summer and interviews are scheduled for early October.
My Rt hon Friends the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Home Department plan to meet appointable candidates following interviews, and will have discussions before making a joint decision. The successful candidate will be announced as soon as practicably possible.
BEIS and the Home Office are working together to implement a Labour market Enforcement programme. This followed a formal consultation, Tackling Exploitation in the Labour Market, to which groups representing workers and victims of labour market exploitation responded.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Joan Ryan on 2016-10-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to promote negotiations on the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK Government believes a negotiated two-state solution is in the firm interests of both Israel and the Palestinians. We are working through international organisations, including the UN and EU, to encourage both sides to take steps that rebuild trust – crucial for negotiations to succeed. Arab states also have a key role in the peace process and we are discussing with them ways we can move the situation forward. And we are in contact with the French about their initiative, launched in January, aimed at securing progress in the situation.
But whilst we are doing all we can, ultimately peace will only come through negotiations between the parties. It is critical that Israel and the Palestinians take advantage of any momentum gathered through international efforts.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the additional travel costs likely to be incurred by people not resident in Halton, of commuting using the bridge, arising from the Mersey Gateway Project in the first year that bridge is open.
Andrew Jones
The Department does not hold the information requested.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to the Libyan Council of Deputies to (a) tackle ungoverned regions and (b) support the transition to a democratic government in Libya; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK has strongly emphasised to the Libyan House of Representatives (aka Council of Deputies) and the other parties of the UN dialogue process that the establishment of a Government of National Accord is an important first step to restoring peace and stability in Libya. Only an inclusive government will deliver the peace and stability that the Libyan people desire and deny the space for Daesh and other extremist groups to operate. The UK stands ready to work with the international community to deliver a significant package of support to help a united Libyan Government of National Accord to deliver a stable and prosperous future for all Libyan citizens.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the total paid out by his Department in flood compensation grants to households who were not entitled to such payments in the last six weeks.
James Wharton
To date my Department has paid out £47 million to local authorities under the Communities and Business Recovery Scheme. The Scheme is intended to support local authorities with community recovery, business support and property resilience.