The below Parliamentary question was asked by Danny Kinahan on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with UK ferry operators on their pricing structures.
Mr John Hayes
I have held no such recent discussions. The level of charges on ferries across the Irish Sea is a commercial matter for the companies concerned, subject to normal competition law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Stewart on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will assess the potential merits of reforming the rail franchising system by reinstating sole ownership and maintenance of infrastructure and trains.
Paul Maynard
We have high passenger satisfaction and one of the safest railways for passengers of any major network in Europe. At the heart of this success lies a diverse range of commercial passenger and freight operators working in partnership with Government and industry suppliers.
With passenger numbers having more than doubled since privatisation, we want to deliver further improvements including a more joined-up approach to running the trains and tracks, and to make things work better for the public.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-11-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when all NHS patients will be able to access their medical records online; and when the NHS will implement a secure unified email system.
George Freeman
From April 2015 patients have had online access to summary information in their general practitioner (GP) records relating to allergies, adverse reactions and medications. By the end of March 2016, general practices are required to offer online access to coded information, such as problem diagnoses, procedures and test results in GP clinical records.
The National Health Service has used a secure email service, NHSmail, for the last 12 years. This service is available for use by organisations commissioned to deliver NHS health and care or related activities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2015-12-17.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he will take to ensure that the UK contribution to the $100 billion of climate finance referred to in the UNFCCC Paris Agreement conforms with Article 9, Paragraph 3 of the Agreement and is additional to the 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product that constitutes the Department for International Development budget.
Greg Hands
On 27 September 2015, the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide at least £5.8bn of climate finance in the period 2016-17 to 2020-21, a 50% increase from the £3.87bn provided in the period 2011-12 to 2015-16. In line with Article 9, Paragraph 3 of the Paris Agreement, this therefore represents “a progression beyond previous efforts”. The UK will also take into account “the needs and priorities of developing countries” in the delivery of climate finance.
The UK’s climate finance is within our commitment to provide 0.7% of Gross National Income as Official Development Assistance, recognising the strong inter-linkages between sustainable development and action to address and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-01-27.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the draft report by the UN panel of experts on Yemen, which documents major violations of international humanitarian law by all sides to the Yemen conflict, including the Saudi-led coalition.
Earl of Courtown
Although this is a leaked document, we are aware of the report which has not yet been published, and are looking at the conclusions carefully. We recognise the importance of the work of the UN Panel of Experts and take the allegations raised in the report seriously. The Ministry of Defence monitors incidents of alleged International Humanitarian Law (IHL) violations using available information which in turn informs our overall assessment of IHL compliance in Yemen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-02-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people currently in the work-related activity group of employment and support allowance for a condition other than neoplasms who have previously had a cancer diagnosis.
Priti Patel
The specific information requested is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The information we do have for Employment and Support Allowance claimants by medical condition, including Neoplasms and phase of claim, is published and available at:
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp
Guidance for users can be found at:
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Chidgey on 2016-03-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Sudan concerning the recent raid by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services on civil society actors at the Tracks offices in Khartoum.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
An official based at our Embassy in Khartoum raised this specific case directly with the Director for Human Rights at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week. More broadly, we continue to highlight our concerns about the freedom of civil society organisations as part of our ongoing human rights dialogue with the Government of Sudan.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle serious cases of animal cruelty.
George Eustice
In this country we have one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation anywhere in the world to protect animals. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare needs. The maximum penalty is 6 months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. The financial element of the penalty was raised only last year from a maximum fine of £20,000. Courts can also disqualify offenders found guilty of animal cruelty from keeping animals for as long a period as they consider appropriate. The overwhelming majority of people in this country are responsible but in circumstances where cruelty does occur I believe we have the necessary measures for enforcement agencies and courts to take action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Tugendhat on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of his Department’s properties classified as void.
Penny Mordaunt
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is developing an ambitious programme of estate rationalisation which will provide a plan for a smaller, but significantly better Defence estate to meet the needs of the Armed Forces as set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. This strategic review of the Defence estate will provide a more efficient and better infrastructure laydown in support of military capability for future generations. The MOD expects to announce the final results of this review in the autumn. When the MOD no longer has a requirement for vacant properties they will be disposed of in accordance with the standard disposal procedure.
The MOD is also reducing the number of voids by leasing out vacant properties from directly renting to the general public and through other organisations. A number of properties are also vacant awaiting the return of remaining Army personnel and families from Germany over the next three years who will require accommodation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has responsibility for the public register of beneficial ownership of UK companies.
Margot James
The register of people with significant control will be held at Companies House, which is an agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.