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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Kerry McCarthy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Kerry McCarthy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to his Answer of 16 January 2014, Official Report, columns 994-5, whether his Department is seeking to promote first or second generation biomass and biofuels; and whether his Department has made a sustainability assessment of both forms.

    Michael Fallon

    First and second generation biofuels are the responsibility of the Department of Transport.

    Biomass, when sourced sustainably, can provide a cost-effective, low carbon and controllable source of renewable energy.

    The sustainability standards referred to by the Secretary of State’s Answer of 16 January 2014, Official Report, columns 994-5, refer to the use of solid and gaseous biomass for the purposes of renewable electricity generation under the Renewables Obligation (RO). To ensure that Government only supports sustainably produced biomass, it recently introduced requirements as part of the Renewables Obligation. Similar measures will be introduced under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) this autumn, and we intend to mirror the RO requirements within the Contracts for Difference.

  • 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 who completed phase two training at Catterick Infantry Training Centre in each year since 2006 went on to join the trained strength; how many such recruits in those categories were aged under 18 years when they enlisted; how many had undertaken phase one training at Harrogate Army Foundation College; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    On 8 May 2014 my right hon. on Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence (Philip Hammond) announced that a review of the exclusion of women in ground close combat roles, including the Infantry, Royal Armoured Corps and Household Cavalry would begin immediately, and report by the end of this year.

    No female recruits currently undergo infantry training and therefore figures shown for the Infantry Training Centre relate to males only.

    The information requested is shown in the table. Completion of phase 2 training is the point at which recruits are deemed to have joined the trained strength:

    Year

    Phase 2 Completions (Male)

    Under 18 on entry (Male)

    Army Foundation College Starts (Male)

    2006-07

    2,300

    950

    230

    2007-08

    2,210

    890

    260

    2008-09

    2,610

    860

    270

    2009-10

    3,370

    980

    310

    2010-11

    1,920

    540

    300

    2011-12

    2,790

    620

    390

    2012-13

    2,760

    740

    520

    2013-14

    2,450

    560

    320

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

  • Joan Walley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Joan Walley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Joan Walley on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the effects of delays in the organisation of the referendum in Western Sahara on the security situation in that region.

    Hugh Robertson

    We receive reports on the security situation in the region including in Western Sahara from a number of sources. The UN mission, MINURSO reports each year to the UN Security Council, most recently in document S/2014/258 dated April 2014.

  • Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 12 September 2013, Official Report, column 798W, on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, whether changes to the Reaper Agreement pertaining to the UK Reaper Force Squadron have been finalised; and whether this Agreement will remain in force following the cessation of NATO International Security Force missions in Afghanistan.

    Mr Mark Francois

    The Memorandum of Understanding is still undergoing the review process. However, it will cover both the ISAF mission and any future wider NATO missions.

  • 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, what steps he is taking to ensure that numbers of community children’s nurses meet future demand; and if he will make a statement.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    The Secretary of State has delegated to Health Education England (HEE) the responsibility for delivering a better health and healthcare workforce for England. HEE plans and develops the workforce to ensure a secure workforce supply for the future, balancing need against demand. HEE’s Workforce Plan, published in December 2013, confirmed an increase of 31 (1.4%) in education and training commissions for children’s nurses for 2014-15.

    The local education and training boards, which are sub-committees of HEE, work with local providers, including employers, to contribute to HEE’s overall future workforce plan. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure they have the right staff, with the right skills to deliver high quality care, which includes supporting their continuing professional development.

  • 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 whether, in the event of Jean-Claude Juncker being appointed President of the European Commission, they plan to review their policy concerning continuing membership of the European Union.

    Baroness Warsi

    This Government is clear that membership of a reformed EU is in the UK’s interest. The EU must reform to become more competitive, flexible and democratically accountable, and work fairly for those in and outside the Eurozone.

  • Yasmin Qureshi – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Yasmin Qureshi – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Yasmin Qureshi on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment his Department has made of the overall performance of cancer services against the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Breast cancer quality standard.

    Jane Ellison

    The Health and Social Care Act (2012) places a duty on NHS England to have regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Standards. Commissioners should have regard to them in the planning of services they commission according to their population needs.

    Whilst no assessment has been made of the performance of services against the Breast Cancer Quality Standard, compliance with Quality Standards generally could be monitored through a range of mechanisms depending on the specific Quality Standard. For example, the 30 national clinical audits funded by NHS England, the Best Practice Tariff, Commissioning for Quality Improvement Initiatives arrangements and the Clinical Commissioning Group Outcome Indicator Set. These levers are designed to drive quality improvement in the National Health Service using Quality Standards where appropriate.

    At the request of NHS England, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership will shortly begin commissioning a new national breast cancer clinical audit. There is an expectation that national clinical audits, where appropriate, support the implementation of NICE clinical guidelines and Quality Standards. The new national clinical audit will be in place by the end of 2014-15.

  • Naomi Long – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Naomi Long – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Naomi Long on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the proposed beneficial ownership registry identifies the real controlling parties of all companies listed.

    Jenny Willott

    The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill will make provision for the implementation of a central registry of company beneficial ownership information. The legislation will set out the obligations and sanctions that will apply to companies and others to ensure that the central registry contains information on the ultimate owners and controllers of UK companies.

  • 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 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 120W, on haemolytic uraemic syndrome, for what reasons it was felt that further advice was needed on the overall cost implications, benefits and affordability of eculizumab; when it was first concluded that such further advice was needed; for what reasons the seeking of that advice was delayed until the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence took on responsibility for assessing highly specialised technologies; and if he will make a statement.

    Norman Lamb

    Ministers concluded that further advice was needed on the overall cost implications, benefits and affordability of eculizumab as, while Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) members were convinced of the clinical effectiveness of the drug, they noted the very high costs of the drug and the increasing cost profile for the National Health Service.

    AGNSS was informed of this decision on 17 January 2013. On 7 February 2013, the Department conveyed its decision to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) so that NICE could begin preparatory work in advance of taking on formal responsibility for evaluating highly specialised technologies on 1 April 2013.

    While NICE carries out its evaluation, the current interim commissioning arrangements by NHS England in line with the ‘Clinical Commissioning Policy Statement: Eculizumab for atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome’ will remain in place. The policy statement is available at:

    www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/e03-hss-a.pdf

  • Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

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

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what change there was in the numbers of taxpayers in Northern Ireland who had employment income in the last four years for which figures are available.

    Mr David Gauke

    Estimates for the number of taxpayers in Northern Ireland with income from employment are published in HMRC’s National Statistics Table 3.11 which is available at the following internet address for 2010/11 to 2011/12:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-and-tax-by-gender-region-and-country-2010-to-2011

    Table 3.11 for 2009/10 and earlier can be found in the internet address below from the National Archives website:

    http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120609145917/http://hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#311

    These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes for which 2011-12 is the latest year available. Figures for 2008/09 are not currently available.

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