The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-09-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis aged (a) 0-10, (b) 11-20, (c) 21-40, (d) 41-60, and (e) 61+ years old in each of the last five years.
David Mowat
This information is not collected. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that multiple sclerosis affects approximately 100,000 people in the United Kingdom.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Balfe on 2016-10-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they gave to proposals to ban the advertising of unhealthy foods aimed specifically at children, and before the nine o’clock watershed, as part of their Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action and, if such proposals were not considered appropriate, why not.
Lord Prior of Brampton
In developing Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action we have been clear that we considered a number of different policies and have focused on the ones that are likely to have the biggest impact on childhood obesity.
The policies in the plan are informed by the latest research and evidence, including from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report Carbohydrates and Health, Public Health England’s evidence package Sugar reduction: the evidence for action, other Government departments, debates in the House of Commons and various reports from key stakeholders including the House of Commons Health Select Committee.
Current restrictions on the advertising of less healthy food and drink in the United Kingdom are amongst the toughest in the world. Alongside this, we welcome the action taken by forward thinking retailers on promotions. These voluntary actions mean that business can move more quickly and go beyond what regulation would permit.
We are confident that the measures we have announced will make a real difference and estimate that childhood obesity rates could be reduced by around a fifth (330,000) over the next ten years. Though we are clear in our goals and firm in the action we will take, this plan represents the start of a conversation, rather than the final word.
Copies of Carbohydrates and Health and Sugar reduction: the evidence for action are attached.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Indian government on its steps to hold to account and prosecute state officials and other people who violate the safeguard for religious freedom in that country’s constitution.
Mr Hugo Swire
The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. The Indian government has a range of policies and programmes to support religious minorities.
I welcome Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to be the "servant of all Indians". He has clearly reaffirmed his commitment to the Constitution and “the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence”. Should any individual break the law in India, it is a matter for the Indian law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute.
The High Commission in New Delhi also maintains regular contact with the union and state government, civil society organisations and senior faith leaders working on religious freedom across India.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-11-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the level of potential efficiency in the equipment budget in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2017-18, (d) 2018-19, (e) 2019-20 and (f) 2020-21.
Mr Philip Dunne
We were already planning to deliver efficiency savings in the equipment budget as outlined in the Defence Equipment Plan 2015 published on 22 October 2015, available in the Library of The House.
Following the Spending Review and Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm9161), the total amount of equipment efficiency savings we plan to make is equivalent to 3% of the equipment budget in 2016-17 rising to 6% of the equipment budget by 2020-21.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rebecca Long Bailey on 2016-01-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of local authority funding reductions on the provision of transport for vulnerable adults.
Alistair Burt
The Department does not collect data on how much is spent by local authorities on vulnerable adult transport.
Social care is a key priority for this Government. This is why, against the context of tough public sector finances; we have taken steps to protect social care services. As announced in the Spending Review, the Government is giving local authorities access to £3.5 billion of new support for social care by 2019/20.
This means local government has access to the funding it needs to increase social care spending in real terms by the end of the Parliament.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of hospital visits made by prison officers in each of the last 12 months as a result of incidents involving new psychoactive substances.
Andrew Selous
This information is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2016-02-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 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.
Priti Patel
On 19 February, the Prime Minister set out the Government’s view on remaining in the European Union.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received reports of Russian submarine activity in sea lanes considered vital to the UK.
Penny Mordaunt
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by the former Armed Forces Minister (Mark Francois) on 24 March 2015 to Question 225944.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes to advise HM Revenue and Customs when an individual is moved from the employment and support allowance work related activity group into the support group.
Priti Patel
The Department does not automatically share information on moves between the work related activity group and the support group with HM Revenue and Customs.
At the end of each financial year the Department reports to the HM Revenue and Customs details of the tax code operated, the total amount of taxable benefit paid and the total amount of tax deducted for that tax year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christian Matheson on 2016-04-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2016 to Question 34372, whether Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence 189 was one of the licences included in the Deed of Variation dated 4 December 2013, allowing the drilling of 10 wells to a depth of 800 metres and three wells to 3,000 metres on 13 specified licences.
Andrea Leadsom
A Deed of Variation was made on 4 December 2013 in respect of Licence PEDL189. It amended both the Licence’s Initial Term Work Programme and the date at which the Licence’s Initial Term would expire. A further variation has been sought by the licensee, and while it remains the case as I said in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 22 April that no such variation has been agreed, that request is under consideration from the Oil and Gas Authority and a decision will be made shortly:
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