The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-10-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what changes have been made to the implementation of Achieving Best Evidence procedures in relation to investigations into domestic and sexual abuse in the last 10 years.
Mike Penning
Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) is a guide to best practice when interviewing vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. It was last updated in 2011 and we are currently revising this guidance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2015-10-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government set up the first Anti-Muslim Hatred working group in 2012 and we are proud of its achievements. We are committed to tackling anti-Muslim hatred and see the group as an important role in advising Ministers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Danny Kinahan on 2015-10-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to her oral statement of 20 October 2015, Official Report, column 381, on Paramilitary Groups (Northern Ireland), in relation to the structure of the Provisional IRA, what is meant by departments.
Mr Ben Wallace
The independently reviewed assessment of paramilitary organisations states that PIRA retains "some departments with specific responsibilities". It is only the policy of her Majesty’s Government to publish the report. It is a long held convention of Government not to discuss or disclose detailed intelligence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-10-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the Sheffield City Region has not been involved in the Hendy review.
Andrew Jones
The Secretary of State has asked Sir Peter Hendy, as the new chair of Network Rail, to report to him this autumn with a proposal for re-planning the Control Period 5 enhancements (which covers the period 2014-2019) in a way that is efficient, deliverable and affordable. Sir Peter Hendy is engaging with stakeholders, including Sheffield City Region, and taking the views of industry into account as part of the wider context for his re-plan.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Metcalfe on 2015-10-21.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the National Living Wage on wage growth.
Damian Hinds
The National Living Wage will mean a full-time minimum wage worker benefiting from the policy will earn over £4,800 more by 2020 in cash terms, a 40% rise on their current wage. Additionally, due to the ripple effect, up to a quarter of workers will see some benefit. The OBR estimate that economy wide wages will be on average 0.4% percentage points higher in 2020 due to the NLW.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Jay of Ewelme on 2015-10-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken, and to what effect, to secure the release of Andy Tsege from prison in Ethiopia; and what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about allowing Mr Tsege’s lawyer to travel to that country.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The British Government remains deeply concerned by the continued detention of British national, Andargachew Tsege, in Ethiopia and about his welfare. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has raised this case with Dr Tedros, the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, on 18 occasions. Most recently on 21 October. He welcomed the improvement in consular access to Mr Tsege, following the Government’s intervention, but noted it must be more regular and must include access to a lawyer. Mr Tsege should be given the ability to challenge his detention through due legal process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2015-10-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following the shooting of Maram Abudl-Latif al-Qaddoumi and her father in September.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
While our officials in Tel Aviv have not raised these specific cases with the Israeli authorities, we do regularly raise our concerns with them about the manner in which the Israel Defence Forces polices protests, including the use of lethal and non-lethal ammunition. Most recently, an official from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised the issue of the live fire with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 October.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the current migration situation, they will make changes to allow refugees to work in the United Kingdom immediately, or within six months, of arrival, in order to allow refugees to contribute to the British economy, and reduce pressure on refugees facing destitution.
Lord Bates
Those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, including those resettled under our three resettlement schemes, are entitled to work without restriction and have full access to the mainstream benefits system on the same terms as British citizens and other permanent residents in the UK. Asylum seekers are only permitted to work in the UK if their asylum claim has been outstanding for more than 12 months, providing the delay is not of their making. Employment is restricted to jobs on the shortage occupations list. We have no plans to reduce the time asylum seekers have to wait to take up employment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor on 2015-10-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 September (HL2163), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the letter of July 2015 from the Minister of State for Farming, Food and Marine Environment to the government of Japan on the United Kingdom’s opposition to their ongoing coastal hunts and continued programme of lethal scientific research on cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises); and also a copy of any reply received.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
A copy of both the letter and the response received will be placed in the Library of the House. These are also attached for reference.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-20.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to issue guidance that staff employed by contract cleaning companies in government departments should not be disciplined for seeking a living wage; and if he will include this in future contracts.
Matthew Hancock
We are the first Government ever to deliver a National Living Wage. From April 2016, every employer in the country will pay the National Living Wage, including all Government contractors, for workers aged 25 and above.
Consequently, we have no plans to issue the specified guidance.