The below Parliamentary question was asked by Holly Lynch on 2016-03-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what provisions are in place to ensure that provision of court time for non-molestation orders between parents is dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Caroline Dinenage
The family court takes the issue of domestic violence extremely seriously and can list urgent applications for a non-molestation order for the same day.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-04-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to encourage the National Infrastructure Commission to investigate ways in which the UK supply chain can be used to help the UK steel industry.
Anna Soubry
My officials continue to work with HM Treasury on the establishment of an independent National Infrastructure Commission, including the basis upon which it will consider economic growth and the impact of UK infrastructure on the wider economy.
On 30 October, we published guidance – Procurement Policy Note 16/15: Procuring steel in major projects, to ensure that Central Government takes into account relevant social and economic issues when procuring steel. This was followed, on 3 November, by more detailed instructions on how to apply social issues in steel procurement. These principles are being extended to the wider public sector, including Local Authorities and the NHS.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-05-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK diplomats have taken secondment to the European External Action Service in each year since 2010.
Mr David Lidington
Since 2010, there have been 28 UK officials seconded to the European External Action Service (EEAS). Of these, 20 were UK diplomats from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); 8 were from other government departments. The numbers of diplomats can be broken down by calendar year in which they took up their secondment as follows:
FCO number of TAs
2010 5
2012 2
2013 6
2014 2
2015 5
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon on 2016-07-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Sir Julian King will be obliged to swear an oath of allegiance to the EU, and what assessment they have made of whether that oath will conflict with the decision of the UK to leave the EU.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We remain a full member of the EU until we leave and it is therefore our right under the treaties to have a Commissioner during that period. On their appointment, Commissioners are required to give a solemn undertaking to respect their obligations as Commissioners and behave with integrity and discretion.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to (a) improve access to and (b) increase funding of mental health services in (i) the North East, (ii) County Durham and (iii) Easington constituency.
Nicola Blackwood
This Government remains committed to achieving parity of esteem for mental health. We have invested more than ever before in mental health with spending on mental health estimated to have increased to £11.7 billion.
Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are committed to increasing spending on mental health further each year in line with the increase in their overall funding allocations. Information on steps being taken locally can be obtained from NHS Durham, Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG, and other CCGs in the North East.
To fund the commitments recommended in the mental health taskforce, we will increase funding over the next five years rising to £1 billion additional expenditure by 2020-21. As announced in January 2016, the Government confirmed additional investment for mental health which includes:
– £290 million of new investment over the next five years to provide mental healthcare for perinatal care;
– £247 million to invest in liaison mental health services in emergency departments; and
– Over £400 million to enable 24/7 treatment in communities as a safe and effective alternative to hospital.
This builds on the £1.4 billion over five years announced in 2015 for children and young people’s mental health services, including services for eating disorders.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Helic on 2015-10-27.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether an invitation was extended to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina to participate in the European Union leaders’ meeting of 25 October to discuss the Western Balkans migratory route, and whether it is their policy that the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina should be invited to participate in future EU meetings on this subject.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The decision on which parties attended the Summit on 25 October to discuss the refugee flows along the Western Balkans route was taken by Commission President Juncker. The British Government supports the inclusion of affected countries in such meetings and considers it important that decisions which affect all Member States are taken by all 28 Member States.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-11-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the effect of the new rules for free prescriptions for Universal Credit claimants on incentives for work and progression; and if he will make a statement.
Priti Patel
No such assessment has been made.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-01-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will define the future (a) role and (b) powers of the Visit England Board.
Tracey Crouch
The VisitEngland Board will be an advisory body, responsible for advising the executive and board of the British Tourist Authority on how best to deliver and monitor English activity. The statutory duties and functions of the VisitEngland Board remain as set out in the Development of Tourism Act 1969 and it will remain a unfunded advisory non-departmental public body.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-02-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 February 2016 to Question 24627, on mental health: tribunals, if he will make it his policy to record this information.
Caroline Dinenage
As noted in my response to PQ 24627, the Ministry of Justice does not hold this information and has no plans to record it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maggie Throup on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support NHS England plans to provide clinical commissioning groups relating to the transfer of obesity surgery commissioning responsibilities from NHS England after that transfer.
George Freeman
Although the transfer is effective from April 2016, the handover process will be agreed between specialised commissioning and individual clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), in line with their preparedness.
Specialised commissioning teams will continue to provide advice and support CCGs post-handover in line with the CCG’s need. CCGs already have mechanisms in place to monitor provider performance and quality through the existing quality assurance processes.