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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) training for army reservists and (b) social cohesiveness between reservists and full-time soldiers.

    Mr Julian Brazier

    As a result of constant reviews conducted by the Army to improve and modernise the delivery of training, opportunities for Army Reservists have never been better.

    Initial training for the Army Reserve was restructured last year. This has streamlined progression through the training programme, as Reservists enjoy greater flexibility with how they complete the modules in Phase 1.

    Phase 2 sees Reservists receive instruction at the same specialist training schools as their regular counterparts, equipping them with the professional skills required to fully integrate with the Regular Army.

    The Army currently offers 22 bespoke overseas training exercises for Reservists, which Reserve units lead with their paired Regular units integrated to improve interoperability and social cohesion. In addition, Reservists routinely train alongside their Regular counterparts from their paired and other units, in complex exercises at home and overseas, using the same equipment.

    Social cohesion between Reservists and Regular soldiers is further fostered though the growth of sports, social and Regimental events facilitated by the pairing mechanism, whereby each reserve unit is paired with a Regular Unit.

  • Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will direct Ofsted to undertake re-inspections of (a) Parley First School and (b) Ferndown Upper School within two years of their last inspections.

    Nick Gibb

    The scheduling of school inspections is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Ofsted’s general policy is to inspect ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’ schools after approximately two years.

  • Alan Brown – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Alan Brown – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2016-03-01.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to respond to the consultation exercise of the Gift aid small donations scheme: A Call for evidence which closes on 2 March 2016.

    Damian Hinds

    The consultation has now closed and HMRC are currently analysing the responses. They will publish a responses document before the summer recess and will continue to work closely with the charity sector.

  • James Cartlidge – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    James Cartlidge – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-04-08.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of new buy-to-let mortgage loans over the next five years which will be advanced on an (a) capital repayment and (b) interest-only basis.

    Harriett Baldwin

    HM Treasury has not made any estimates of the proportion of new buy-to-let mortgage loans over the next five years which will be advanced on a (a) capital repayment and (b) interest-only basis.

  • Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-05-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the border policy is for the Sovereign Base Areas.

    Penny Mordaunt

    Those entering the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) including the two crossing points from north Cyprus are subject to immigration checks conducted by SBA Customs and Immigration personnel to confirm their identity, nationality and permissibility to enter the SBA. These border crossings are recognised points of entry into the EU. This process is consistent with the current procedures used in the Republic of Cyprus. No border control exists between the SBA and the Republic of Cyprus.

  • Sarah Wollaston – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Sarah Wollaston – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Wollaston on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment his Department has made of the barriers that prevent women from attending cervical screening.

    Jane Ellison

    There is a range of work going on to understand the reasons for the decline in cervical screening uptake amongst women aged 25 to 29 and to try to address them. They include:

    a) Data and information – access to data, cleansing, benchmarking for providers, timely and useful information for commissioners;

    b) Behavioural insight – communication with commissioners, providers, patients and public;

    c) Commissioning levers – commissioning contracts in public health (S7a) and primary care;

    d) Partnership work – relationships with commissioners and providers; and

    e) Sharing best practice – what works well, evaluation and how to embed quality improvement

    Public Health England (PHE) is working with colleagues in NHS England and Health and Social Care Information Centre to implement the Accessible Information Standard which is intended to improve access to services for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Through the re-development of cervical Information Technology systems opportunities will arise to review how to help improve uptake.

    PHE supports providers to help meet the Accessible Information Standard through the provision of high quality information for people with learning disabilities or sensory loss. A national group of experts and service users has been set up to oversee this work and will be updating the existing easy read leaflets and developing new materials over the next 18 months.

    PHE is aware that there are a range of factors which may act as barriers in hindering women from attending cervical screening. It is hoped that through the STRATEGIC (Strategies to Increase Cervical screening uptake at first invitation) interventions will be identified to help minimise barriers and assist women to attend screening whilst increasing uptake across all quintiles. The STRATEGIC trial was completed in 2015 and researchers are expected to publish findings later this year.

  • Diana Johnson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Diana Johnson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff his Department employs in the evidence gathering process of investigating acts of alleged genocide by Daesh in Iraq and Syria; and with which countries and international bodies such staff are liaising on that process.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are not directly employed in the evidence gathering process. We support the activities of a range of actors, including non-governmental organisations, to gather and preserve evidence of alleged war crimes in Iraq and Syria. On 21 July, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson) announced that the UK will work with our international partners to drive a global campaign to bring Daesh to justice.

  • Madeleine Moon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Madeleine Moon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her oral contribution of 18 October 2016, Official Report, 301WH, whether she plans for the UK’s participation in Natura 2000 to continue; and if she will make a statement.

    Dr Thérèse Coffey

    The Government is currently considering the impacts of leaving the EU, including future arrangements for existing legislation. This will include future arrangements for the Natura 2000 suite of sites.

  • Cat Smith – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Cat Smith – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cat Smith on 2015-11-06.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people are employed on zero-hours contracts in their main employment in Lancaster and Fleetwood constituency.

    Mr Rob Wilson

    The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

  • Kate Hoey – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Kate Hoey – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hoey on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received from (a) the hon. Member for Wallasey, (b) the Labour Party and (c) the Trades Union Congress on protection of workers’ rights in the EU; and if he will make a statement.

    Nick Boles

    My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has a regular series of meetings with the Trade Union Congress in which a range of subjects are discussed. The Trade Union Congress has responded to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ consultation on the implementation of the Posted Workers Enforcement Directive. In addition, some Trade Union Bill correspondence has referred to compliance with the EU Social Charter. No recent representations from either the honourable Member for Wallasey or the Labour Party have been received through the Department concerning the protection of workers’ rights in the EU.