The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many of her Department’s staff are in receipt of support for private school fees for children whose parents are stationed (a) in the UK and (b) overseas.
Rory Stewart
This information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost to the taxpayer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Birt on 2016-10-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to publish a consultation paper setting out and assessing the different routes to Brexit.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government is consulting widely through meetings all over the country with academics, think tanks, businesses, charities, universities and more to ensure that all views can be reflected in our analysis of the options for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on the human rights of the Bahai community in Iran.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We have repeatedly expressed our concern at the harassment faced by Baha’is in Iran and at the sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders to 20 years in prison. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) raised human rights concerns during his visit to Tehran in August, including lack of freedoms for all citizens. We will continue to urge the Iranian Government to ensure that all Iranian citizens are able to practise their faith freely, as required by international conventions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to prevent online identity theft.
Mike Penning
Cyber Streetwise is a cross Government campaign designed to improve the online safety knowledge, behaviour and confidence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and individuals; driving down crime, saving victims’ money and reinforcing perceptions of the UK as a safe place to do business. Since its launch in January 2014, approximately 2 million adults have adopted safer online behaviours that will better protect them. Our 2015/16 strategic approach aims to drive measurable shifts in three key behaviours: using strong passwords made up of three random words; installing security software on all devices; and regularly downloading software updates which experts agree will provide SMEs and individuals with the most protection against cyber-crime.
The City of London Police and Action Fraud have also brought together advice from a range of sources through the ‘Not With My Name’ campaign, to help people protect their identity, including online. The campaign is supported by the Metropolitan Police Service, Experian, Cifas, Financial Fraud Action UK, Get Safe Online and Cyber Streetwise.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Knight of Weymouth on 2016-01-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what postage type was used by government departments, including their agencies and public bodies, to issue cheques in (1) 2015, (2) 2014, (3) 2013, and (4) 2012.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
The information requested is not held centrally. The Government Banking Service is a provider of banking services across Government, but each Government Department is responsible for setting its own policy in regards to making payments by cheque. Further details are set out in the publication, “Managing Public Money” which is available on Gov.uk.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-02-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to make a decision on whether to formally apply for EU Solidarity Funding to support communities affected by flooding in Cumbria.
James Wharton
The Government has not ruled out applying to the EU Solidarity Fund. We are assessing the case for an application and will make a decision by the end of February. The European Union Solidarity Fund does not provide additional funding to local areas, but simply reimburses emergency costs that the Government would have incurred anyway. For this reason, the Government’s immediate priority remains dealing with the urgent needs of those affected, which is why we have provided over £200 million to help those affected by the floods to support recovery and repair.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2016-03-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people have been (1) charged with, and (2) convicted of, people smuggling offences in the UK in each of the past 10 years.
Lord Bates
Prior to March 2014, this information was not recorded centrally. The number of individuals charged and convicted for people smuggling for 2014/15 and 2016/15 (year to date YTD) is as follows:
2014/15 (Apr to Mar) Charged – 207 Convicted – 111
2015/16 (Apr – YTD) Charged – 210 Convicted – 128
These figures recorded as the following primary offences: Human Smuggling – via Aeroplane, Human Smuggling – via Lorry, Human Smuggling – via Van/Car, Human Smuggling – via Vessel (boat/ferry etc) and Human Smuggling – Other.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton on 2016-04-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average training period for graduates newly appointed to the UK civil service, and whether that training includes learning about UK government and history.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The Civil Service graduate programme is known as the Fast Stream and its average training period is up to four years. The Fast Stream core curriculum includes learning about UK Government and history and the central induction for Fast Streamers also has activities relating to this topic. Graduates can also enter the civil service via direct appointment without being part of a formal training scheme. Those who do so have access to a wide range of training options, including how the UK government operates.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children living in the Copeland constituency have been eligible to receive free school meals in each of the last six years.
Mr Sam Gyimah
Data for the number of pupils eligible for free school meals in each school in England are available in the underlying data in each of the annual ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ statistical releases.[1]
The number and proportion of pupils attending schools in Copeland who were known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in each of the last six years is given in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals |
Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals |
|
2010 |
1,423 |
12.1 |
|
2011 |
1,420 |
12.0 |
|
2012 |
1,362 |
11.8 |
|
2013 |
1,395 |
12.3 |
|
2014 |
1,354 |
12.1 |
|
2015 |
1,253 |
11.1 |
Source: School Census
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers – click on the relevant year and then ‘underlying data.’ The data is contained in files with ‘Schools_Pupils’ in the title.
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have been handed a life sentence in each of the last 10 years.
Mr Sam Gyimah
A life sentence is mandatory for murder. A life sentence must also be imposed for a second, very serious, specified violent or sexual offence – for example, manslaughter, GBH with intent, rape, and sexual assault on a child under 13 – unless the court finds that there are particular circumstances relating to the offence or the offender which would make it unjust to do so.
Under a life sentence, the offender must serve the full minimum term imposed by the court before being considered for release on life licence by the Parole Board, which will only release an offender if and when it considers it safe to do so. Where a whole life order is imposed the offender is not eligible for parole.
The number of life sentences imposed in each of the last ten years can be found on gov.uk.