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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Caroline Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Caroline Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what mechanisms his Department has put in place to ensure that (a) schools, (b) nurseries and (c) learning establishments receiving any funds or endorsement from his Department teach evolution and do not teach that creationism is scientifically valid.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The Government’s policy is that evolution should be taught in schools as an essential element of a rigorous scientific education; teaching creationism as science is incompatible with the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.

    The national curriculum requires all maintained schools to teach evolution as an established scientific theory. All academies and free schools are required to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. The model funding agreements for all kinds of academies and free schools are being revised. The latest published version includes a specific requirement to teach evolution, and prohibits the teaching of creationism as an evidence-based theory.

    As in all areas of education, we look to Ofsted as the best and most effective lever to ensure expected standards are being achieved. All state funded schools are subject to Ofsted inspections which are required to report on the quality of education provided in the school including the quality of teaching.

    Providers in receipt of early years funding must follow clear standards to make sure children are taught the key skills they need to get a good start in life. Where an Ofsted inspector identifies any concerns, they must notify Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement team, who will consider notifying the appropriate agencies.

    We expect the Government’s position on creationism and evolution to be supported by any learning establishment in receipt of funding from the Department for Education to support science education.

  • Kevan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Kevan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Audit Office report, Army 2020, HC 263, published on 11 June 2014, page 10, which Minister in his Department signed off on the decision not to provide supporting ICT infrastructure for Capita’s new recruitment software as part of his Department’s contractual arrangements with Capita in relation to the Recruiting Partnering Project.

    Anna Soubry

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 January 2014 (Official Report, column 111W).

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Andrew Rosindell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure UK embassies, high commissions and consulates are promoting trade with the UK.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    Over the past three years we have put commercial and economic diplomacy at the heart of the FCO’s agenda
    We are committed to supporting British business and boosting UK trade as set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Charter for Business and UKTI’s Strategy "Britain Open for Business: the Next Phase".

    We have opened new missions and reinforced our economic diplomacy staff in many of the fastest growing markets in the world. We have taken steps to strengthen commercial skills at all levels within our Embassies. Ambassadors and their teams across our network are lobbying hard to open markets, promote free trade, support pro-growth policies and counter risks to economic stability. This approach lies at the heart of our G8 agenda on tax, trade and transparency and underpins our on-going work to deliver an ambitious EU-US trade deal.

    With UKTI we are delivering a number of ambitious initiatives across the globe to promote trade and investment and boost jobs and growth. The High Value Opportunities programme aims to assist UK businesses to secure £10billion of business in key emerging markets. The Prime Minister has appointed sixteen Trade Envoys who are working with our Embassies and High Commissions to champion opportunities for British business and lobby to improve the business environment and resolve market access issues.

    Our Posts are also promoting Britain through the "Great" campaign – a visually powerful campaign that is making real strides in promoting the UK as a modern and innovative country in which to invest and with which do business. Ministers have been urged to travel extensively to support this. We are focusing our efforts on both established markets and those emerging markets where there is high potential for growth in the future.

    The FCO and UKTI are also committed to implementing the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee review: Supporting British Exporters Overseas (see Treasury Minute CM 8847 – 37th Report), a key component in the Government’s ambition to achieve £1 trillion of exports annually by 2020. We have committed to an economic "roadmap" to the £1 trillion target, closer joint working on our trade and investment strategy and on planning across government, and work to address visa barriers to trade and investment.

  • Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) male and (b) female recruits dropped out of training at Catterick Infantry Training Centre before completing Phase 1 in each year since 2006; how many such recruits in each category were aged under 18 when they enlisted; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    Infantry training at Catterick is comprised of the Combat Infantryman’s Course, which is a combined phase one and phase two course. For this reason it is not possible to provide the information requested for those who dropped out of training before completing Phase 1. The table shows all those who failed to complete the Combat Infantryman’s Course.

    No female recruits undergo infantry training and therefore figures shown relate to males only:

    Year

    Discharged at ITC (Male)

    Under 18 on entry (Male)

    2006-07

    950

    320

    2007-08

    1,090

    290

    2008-09

    1,060

    210

    2009-10

    1,400

    250

    2010-11

    840

    90

    2011-12

    1,260

    120

    2012-13

    910

    100

    2013-14

    680

    80

    Figures have been rounded to 10; numbers ending in ‘5′ are rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

  • John Redwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    John Redwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Redwood on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what levels of stock his Department holds of (a) stationery, (b) printer cartridges, (c) treasury tags and other fasteners and (d) other office consumables.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    The Department makes use of the Government Office Supplies contract to obtain supplies of stationery and associated items. In March 2014, the Department ordered 1,957 units of stationery which included 54 boxes of foldback clips, 41 boxes of bar tags and 15 boxes of paperclips. These items are ordered directly from Banner on an as required basis by individual directorates and no records of any small local stocks are maintained.

    The Department does not hold central stocks of the consumables associated with the provision of multi functional device services such as printers. These items are replenished automatically by the supplier when required.

    In a small number of cases, standalone printer cartridges are sourced through XMA Ltd under the Government Office Supplies Contract. In March 2014, the Department sourced 13 units through this contract. A small number of these items may be held locally but these are not recorded.

  • Lord Stoddart of Swindon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Stoddart of Swindon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon on 2014-06-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Warsi on 17 June (WS 586–88), whether they plan to abandon their demand that President Assad step down and to urge co-operation between his government and the official opposition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham and other Islamic terrorist groups in Syria.

    Baroness Warsi

    The Assad regime is the primary cause of terrorism in Syria, not the solution to it. The most effective way to tackle terrorism in Syria is to support the moderate opposition in its efforts to protect the Syrian people from the twin threats of tyranny and terrorism. The only sustainable solution to the crisis in Syria is to reach a negotiated political transition by the mutual consent of both sides – this is the principle in the Geneva Communiqué as endorsed by the UN Security Council.

  • Tracey Crouch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Tracey Crouch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tracey Crouch on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he is satisfied with the current levels of recruitment to midwifery; and what steps he is taking to encourage recruitment of midwives.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    Health Education England are working with NHS England to ensure that sufficient midwives and other maternity staff are trained and available to provide every woman with personalised one-to-one care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and during the post natal period.

    Since June 2012 there are over 6,000 more midwives in training to qualify over the next three years. The latest figures show there are 21,888 qualified midwives (full time equivalent) working in the NHS in England.

    It is the responsibility of local NHS organisations to assess the health needs of their local communities and ensure they have the right staff, with the rights skills to deliver high quality and safe care.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many premium rate type telephone lines were in use for members of the public to contact his Department in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2014.

    Jenny Willott

    The Department had no public facing premium rate lines in use in June 2010 or June 2014.

  • Stephen O’Brien – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Stephen O’Brien – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen O’Brien on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2014, Official Report, column 491W, on medical treatments, what technology appraisals were conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the last five years; what the most plausible cost per quality adjusted life-year for each such appraisal was; what the estimated eligible patient population was for each appraised indication; on which appraisals end-of-life criteria were applied in each final appraisal determination; and on which date each such appraisal was (a) initiated and (b) concluded.

    Norman Lamb

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal decisions published between 2000 to end of February 2014 have already been placed in the Library.

    NICE has advised that it does hold the most plausible cost per quality adjusted life-year for each technology appraisal, the estimated patient population for each appraised indication, details of appraisals where the end-of-life criteria were applied in each final appraisal determination and the dates each appraisal was initiated and concluded. However, this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  • Pamela Nash – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Pamela Nash – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Pamela Nash on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Answer of 14 May 2014, Official Report, column 678W, on money lenders, how many actionable reports led to a conviction in each of the last four years.

    Jenny Willott

    Final Approved answer to 13371

    The Illegal Money Lending Teams conduct complex and sensitive investigations. The length of each investigation will be influenced by the circumstances of the specific case. In some instances convictions can only be delivered through months of proactive intelligence gathering and community engagement. Because of this, some cases span across multiple years and so there is not necessarily a direct link between the numbers of actionable reports and the numbers of convictions in any one year.

    Below is a breakdown of the number of operations, arrests and prosecutions completed by the Illegal Money Lending Teams in England, Scotland and Wales in each of the last four years and the number of custodial sentences handed down by the courts.

    Operations

    Arrests / Detainments

    Prosecutions

    Custodials

    England

    Wales

    Scotland

    England

    Wales

    Scotland

    England

    Wales

    Scotland

    England

    Wales

    Scotland

    2013/14

    74

    29

    9

    107

    4

    7

    55

    2

    7

    25

    2

    0

    2012/13

    73

    38

    15

    92

    4

    4

    34

    2

    6

    13

    2

    0

    2011/12

    57

    37

    14

    62

    13

    17

    17

    4

    6

    11

    4

    1

    2010/11*

    288

    46

    17

    104

    6

    5

    32

    7

    5

    26

    1

    0

    * The England Illegal Money Lending Team was restructured in April 2011- 9 England regional teams were merged into a single National team covering the whole of England.

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