The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current average waiting time is for personal independence payment assessments to be completed and a decision made in (a) England and (b) Leeds.
Mike Penning
The information you have requested is not currently available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-06-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress he has made on reinstating the Northern Ireland Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme.
Nicky Morgan
In January and February of this year, the government received two sets of follow up questions from the European Commission as part of their formal investigation into the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme. Treasury officials worked closely with members of the industry and the authorities in Northern Ireland and have submitted further evidence in response to the questions posed.
Whilst a new relief scheme cannot be considered until the investigation concludes, the government remains fully committed to reinstating an aggregates levy credit scheme in Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent on legal costs incurred appealing against decisions by the Information Commissioner requiring the release of information about the universal credit programme since 2011.
Esther McVey
The Department’s records relating to legal costs do not distinguish between actions which the Department has brought and actions which it has defended or the stage of legal proceedings in respect of which each invoice for legal representation is paid. Disaggregating the data would take the costs of responding to the question over the disproportionate cost threshold.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with manufacturers of fruit juice about a reduction of levels of sugar in their products.
Jane Ellison
Eight businesses have signed up to the Responsibility Deal to reduce calories, including added sugar, in the soft drinks they produce and retail. Ministers and officials are continuing to engage with soft drinks businesses to encourage greater sign up to the calorie reduction pledge. The school food standards severely restrict the provision of foods and drinks that are high in sugar in schools.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many investigations of allegations of (a) rape, (b) sexual assault and (c) domestic violence where the alleged offending took place in the UK were investigated by the Royal Military Police in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.
Anna Soubry
The table below shows the number of recorded investigations by the Royal Military Police for rape, sexual assault and domestic violence where the alleged offending took place in the UK in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.
| Year | Rape | Sexual Assault |
| 2010 | ~ | 25 |
| 2011 | 5 | 20 |
| 2012 | 5 | 15 |
The figures have been rounded to the nearest five. The figure “~” represents a sample of less than five. The specific figure has not been disclosed to ensure that the alleged victim(s) cannot be identified. This is in line with the Sexual Offences (Amendments) Act 1976 and 1992.
Because of the way domestic violence statistics are recorded it is taking some time to collate the information. I will write to the hon. Member with an answer shortly.
The Royal Military Police is the Army’s police force and together with its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force counterparts, are collectively known as the Service Police. Under Home Office Circular 028/2008, which defines investigative jurisdiction in the UK, primacy generally rests with the civilian police, although the Service Police may take the lead in an investigation if both the suspect and the victim in a particular case are serving members of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the quality of service provided by companies with contracts to provide Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Norman Lamb
NHS England has responsibility for commissioning Tier 4 (in-patient) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Tiers 1-3 CAMHS are commissioned locally by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). There are a number of measures in place to ensure the quality of Tier 4 CAMHS provided by companies:
– All providers of CAMHS need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
– National service specifications have been developed for Tier 4 CAMHS to which all service providers are required to adhere. These are used as part of the standard National Health Service contract. A copy of these documents can be found on NHS England’s website and accessed via the following links:
www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-c/c07/
www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/c07-tier4ch-ado-mh-aut.pdf
– All providers are monitored against the standard contract through evidence based contract meetings. NHS England and the CQC may also undertake visits to the units to assess the quality of service being delivered.
– Where concerns or issues are raised about a particular unit, such matters are referred to the Area Team Quality Surveillance Group, chaired by Directors of Nursing, for consideration and discussion.
– Where there is significant cause for concern, NHS England may restrict or stop referrals to a particular unit. In extreme circumstances, the CQC has the powers to de-register a provider from being able to provide CAMH Services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Elfyn Llwyd on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how the police record complaints and offences of stalking.
Damian Green
The National Crime Recording Standard sets out that in all cases where a victim reports an allegation of a crime of stalking, the police must register an incident and once that report is confirmed as a crime they must then record it as such. Stalking is a serious crime and in recognition of this in April this year the Government established a specific stalking classification in the Home Office Counting Rules to provide improved data and transparency.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the request for local growth funding by the Coast to Capital LEP; and if he will make a statement.
Greg Clark
All 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships’ Growth Deals are currently being assessed, including requests for local growth funding, and we are looking to make announcements in the summer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer to the hon. Member for Dudley North of 22 June 2010, Official Report, column 113W, on the Government Car and Dispatch Agency, what the (a) make, (b) model and (c) place of manufacture was of each car (i) purchased and (ii) leased by the Government Car Service since 6 May 2010; and how much each such car cost to purchase or lease.
Stephen Hammond
The make, model, place of manufacture and cost of purchase or lease for cars procured formerly by the Government Car and Despatch Agency and latterly by the Government Car Service since the 6 May 2010 are set out in the following table. The current Government Car Service fleet is comprised of 85 cars, reduced from 227 cars as at 31March 2010.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2014-06-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what current and future non-core funding they provide or plan to provide to (1) the United Nations Population Fund, (2) the International Planned Parenthood Federation, (3) Marie Stopes International, and (4) Women and Children First UK.
Baroness Northover
Marie Stopes International (MSI) currently receives non-core funding of approximately £41.5m for 2014-15, with future non-core funding estimated at £37.5m for 2015-16. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) does not currently receive non-core funding from DFID. Women and Children First UK currently receive non-core funding of £246,101 over three years from 2014 – 2016. Women and Children First UK have also been provisionally approved for a second grant worth £249,842 over three years from 2014 – 2017 through the Global Poverty Action Fund, pending successful completion of pre-grant assessment.
During financial year 2013-14, DFID provided non-core funding of £100m to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The non-core component was made up of 20 contributing programmes which will each undergo annual reviews to assess performance and determine future funding. Any proposals for new funding undergo a comprehensive business case process. Therefore it is not possible to give figures for future non-core payments.