The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Nicholas Brown on Health.
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Norman Lamb
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produces evidence-based guidance and advice for health, public health and social care practitioners on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. All work undertaken by NICE is subject to the same high level of scrutiny consideration.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Sawford on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average cost was of a primary school meal in each local authority in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013.
Mr David Laws
The Department for Education does not hold the information requested.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Afriyie on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on the Lower Thames Scheme.
Dan Rogerson
Further to my answer to the hon. Member for Windsor on Monday, 24 February 2014, Official Report column 83W, the Environment Agency is continuing to work with partners to develop the River Thames Scheme (Datchet to Teddington). This includes flood channel capacity improvements, property level protection measures and the construction of three new channels.
Preparatory work, which is under way, includes establishing appropriate consents and approval needed with planning authorities, undertaking surveys needed to gain consents, and the development of a funding package with other risk management authorities. The Environment Agency is planning to submit its Strategic Outline Case for this project to Defra as part of the HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office’s Major Projects Authority approvals process.
The Environment Agency aims to start the work on improving weir capacity in 2016.
Full appraisal and outline design of the flood channel and capacity improvements will commence this summer. It is expected that this will take three to four years to enable the proposal for the new flood channels to be submitted for planning consents and authorisations. It is estimated that the construction of the flood channel will commence in 2020 and will take five to six years to complete.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hoey on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on the establishment of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements through EU Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements.
Jane Ellison
I raised the issue of the establishment of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements with Tonio Borg, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, on 10 December 2013, emphasising the importance that any future proposals should be based on science and safety, to allow for the highest safe maximum levels. The nature of the United Kingdom (UK) market and potential impact on availability of thousands of products was underlined. This will be an important issue to raise with the new European Commissioner when appointed.
Officials at the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union (EU) continue to monitor for any development of proposalsfrom the European Commission for setting maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals under the provisions of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive. Should such a proposal be issued, officials at the UK Representation to the EU will advise and assist the Department in the delivery of the Government’s negotiating objectives.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Paisley on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations her Department has received from (a) police and crime commissioners and (b) the UK Border Force on the potential effect of the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products on combating the trade in illicit tobacco.
James Brokenshire
To date our records show no representations have been made by Border Force and
Police and Crime Commissioners.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Prime Minister, what representations he has received on the work of Stephen Sutton in fundraising for cancer charities; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Cameron
I was very moved to read of the outstanding fundraising work carried out by Stephen and his passion to raise money for teenage cancer services to help others like him.
As part of Stephen’s list of 50 things he wants to do, he came to Downing Street to give a speech in July last year. Although I was unable to meet him on that occasion I continue to be awe-struck by his enthusiasm, his determination and achievement.
His fund-raising is not only incredible in itself but is also an inspiration for young people and the wider community.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many short-term benefit advances were made between April 2013 and March 2014.
Esther McVey
The total number of Short Term Benefit Advances made between April 2013 and March 2014 was 78,021.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Raynsford on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to announce the final allocation of student number controls to alternative providers.
Mr David Willetts
Provisional student numbers for 2014/15 were issued on 20 February 2014. Since then we have considered applications for a higher number and adjusted numbers issued where appropriate on 2 May 2014. However, we cannot confirm final allocations until providers have been re-designated for student support purposes for the 2014/15 academic year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the cost was of the recent triennial review of the Research Councils.
Mr David Willetts
The cost of the review primarily relates to the salary costs of review team members, who undertook the review as a corporate objective alongside their existing responsibilities. On average, the review team spent around 10% of their weekly core work hours on the review across its duration. There were additional costs associated with the extensive stakeholder engagement and in year awards to review team members to recognise their personal contribution in completing the review. These awards are consistent with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) In-Year Awards policy of recognising and rewarding contributions to business performance and demonstrating the BIS values.
The estimated maximum total cost to BIS of the review team is £81,350, which represents 0.002% of total Research Council funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Halfon on 2014-04-25.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the potential cost to the public purse of raising the national insurance personal allowance for 2015-16 to (a) £10,000 and (b) £12,300.
Mr David Gauke
Raising the National Insurance Contributions thresholds for individual earners (The Primary Threshold and Lower Profits Limit) in 2015-16 to £10,000 is estimated to cost in the region of £5 billion. Raising them to £12,300 is estimated to cost around £10.5 billion.
These estimates are based on the 2011-12 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected to 2015-16 using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2014 economic and fiscal outlook.