The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian C. Lucas on 2016-02-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to maintain funding for a Driving Test Centre in Wrexham.
Andrew Jones
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) plans to maintain its funding obligations in relation to Wrexham Driving Test Centre.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support a peaceful resolution to violence in Burundi after the African Union’s decision not to send in peacekeeping troops to that country; and if he will make a statement.
James Duddridge
The UK remains at the forefront of international efforts to end the violence in Burundi. I addressed the Security Council and regional leaders of the Great Lakes last month, highlighting the need for urgent action. Alongside our partners in the UN Security Council, we worked to agree Resolution 2279 on 1 April which strengthens the mandate of the UN’s Special Adviser and presents the possibility of a UN police deployment to Burundi.
The deployment will monitor the security situation, promote the respect of human rights and advance the rule of law.
We continue to press the Government of Burundi to facilitate the deployment of 200 African Union observers, as it publicly stated it would in February. However, ending the violence in the long-term will require a negotiated solution, agreed by the Burundians themselves.
I welcome the appointment of former Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa, as facilitator of the East African Community led dialogue and urges all parties to engage in this dialogue without preconditions. We stand ready to support President Mkapa’s efforts to bring a halt to the violence and other human rights abuses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Fitzpatrick on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment the Government has made of the auditing sector’s contribution to economic productivity.
Anna Soubry
No such assessment has been made.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will introduce a new programme to replace the EU School Milk Scheme after the UK’s exit from the EU.
George Eustice
Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the EU and current EU funding arrangements will continue unchanged. The Government will work with industry and the public to develop any new proposals that support our agricultural industry as we leave the EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will extend the proposed audit of public services to reveal racial disparities to all organisations and companies which provide (a) car insurance and (b) other consumer services required by law.
Ben Gummer
All companies and other organisations that provide a service to the public are legally obliged under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure no race discrimination occurs. The Race Disparity Audit was set up to identify and analyse racial disparities in public services, working with data from Government departments and their arm’s length bodies to build a complete and accurate picture across the country. This is a unique and ambitious undertaking and there are no current plans to extend it beyond public services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Nokes on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of increasing free childcare provision to 30 hours per week on the number of nurseries which offer free childcare.
Mr Sam Gyimah
Introducing the new entitlement to 30 hours of free childcare for working parents will require growth in the childcare market and the government is confident this will be achieved. Since 2009, 230, 000 places have been created.
It is of course essential that the funding for the entitlement is right to ensure that a sufficient number of nurseries are able to deliver it. The government has already committed to an increase to the average funding rate paid to providers.
The government’s review on the cost of providing childcare will inform decisions on a rate that is fair and sustainable for providers. Findings from the review will feed directly into the Spending Review which will be published on 25 November.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2015-12-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect on UK citizens of the US proposal to tighten its visa waiver programme.
Lord Bates
We have a very close relationship with the USA and are confident the changes the administration is currently proposing will have minimal impact on UK citizens.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will increase investment in research on rehabilitation, health and social care models that can improve quality of life for ill Gulf War veterans and their families; and if he will make a statement.
Mark Lancaster
The Government greatly values the service of all 1990-91 Gulf War veterans, particularly as we reach the 25th anniversary of the start of combat operations. We have long accepted that the ill health of some veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War is associated with their service in the Gulf. In such cases compensation may be claimed under the War Pensions Scheme with appropriate medical care provided by the National Health Service across the UK .
The Department has funded extensive research into Gulf War illness including some research into rehabilitative therapies for those veterans with persistent symptoms.
Our strategy on research topics and studies has been informed and overseen by independent scientific experts nominated by the Medical Research Council taking account of published peer-reviewed international literature and international studies. We have no plans to undertake further research on Gulf War issues. We continue to monitor any Gulf War research that is published round the world including from the United States.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Shuker on 2016-02-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who the members are of the National Police Chiefs’ Council working group on prostitution.
Karen Bradley
Within the structure of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), chief officers are elected by their peers and take the lead on specific issues from a national operational perspective. It is for the national leads to establish working groups to support them in their role. The Home Office is in regular dialogue with on the NPCC Lead for Prostitution’s office, and as such discussed and commented on the current revision of the strategy.
Prostitution is a complex issue, which can impact on individuals and communities in many different ways, and we are therefore clear that local areas and police forces are in the best position to identify and respond to issues around prostitution in their area. Police forces are assisted in doing so by the National Policing Lead’s refreshed Policing Sex Work Strategy, which stresses the priority of the public protection duty that the police services have in relation to the safety of those involved in prostitution.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2016-02-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether his Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.
Anna Soubry
At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government’s position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.