Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Conor Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Conor Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Conor Burns on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations his Department has received from UNESCO on the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Farm development.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    UNESCO has submitted representations from its Advisory Body the IUCN about the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Farm development. The development is being considered by the planning authorities and these views have been submitted as part of this process.

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

    Caroline Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of changing the national urban default speed limit to 20 mph on (a) air pollution and (b) other environmental conditions; what similar studies in other developed nations his Department has assessed; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Department does not have any current plans to introduce a default 20mph speed limit. Local authorities are best placed to determine the speed limits for their areas, based on local knowledge and the views of the community, and have the powers to do so. We are aware of studies carried out for local authorities, including for the City of London, which showed no overall negative effects on air quality in 20mph speed restrictions.

    However, the Department is about to commission comprehensive research into the effects of 20mph limits. This will cover many aspects including effects on speed, collisions, casualties and modal shift. The research will also consider air quality, best practice, road users’ perceptions and effects on the quality of the environment, as well as relevant research from other countries.

  • Richard Fuller – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Richard Fuller – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Fuller on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will support an international enquiry into the events at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1984.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    This is a matter between the Sikh Community and government of India. The purpose of the Cabinet Secretary’s recent investigation and report on the Indian operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar in 1984, was to establish the extent of UK Government involvement in the Indian government’s plans for military operations, not the operation itself, or the actions of the Indian government.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-06-04.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what use his Department has made of the National Wellbeing Index introduced by the Office for National Statistics in formulating policy since the introduction of that Index in 2011; and what policies his Department has introduced to improve national wellbeing as defined in that Index since 2010.

    Nicky Morgan

    As the Prime Minister has said “we’ll start measuring our progress as a country not just by how our economy is growing, but by our quality of life.”

    The National Wellbeing Index and Measures of Wellbeing provides a rich contribution to the debate about the health and happiness of the people of the United Kingdom.

    These are relatively new statistical series, meaning that the evidence base on wellbeing, and the implications for policy making, are still being developed. The ONS Wellbeing statistics released on the 4th June made a helpful contribution to this debate. They revealed for example, that those households that receive more of their income from benefits are more likely to have lower life satisfaction. This government has overseen record employment levels and is reforming the benefit system so that it always pays to work and people are not trapped in a life on benefits.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what use his Department has made of the National Wellbeing Index introduced by the Office for National Statistics in formulating policy since the introduction of that Index in 2011; and what policies his Department has introduced to improve national wellbeing as defined in that Index since 2010.

    Gregory Barker

    The National Wellbeing Index contains two measures directly related to DECC’s priorities: “Energy consumed within the UK from renewable sources” and “Total greenhouse gas emissions”, where latest data shows the positive impact being made by DECC. For example in 2013, provisional data shows 15% of electricity being produced from renewable sources – a new high. To provide further support for renewable and other forms of low carbon generation DECC is implementing Electricity Market Reform, in particular provisions for Feed-in-Tariffs with Contracts for Difference. Since 2010 DECC has also launched the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme to provide support for renewable heat in both the domestic and non-domestic sectors.

    More broadly, a number of DECC’s policies, such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) which funds efficient boilers and insulation measures to low income and vulnerable households and is now guaranteed until at least 2017, contribute toward other aspects of the National Wellbeing Index, for example “Getting by financially”.

  • Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance his Department has provided to local authorities (a) to help the understand the threat from extremism and (b) relating to statutory powers available to them to challenge extremist speakers.

    Karen Bradley

    The Home Office provides ongoing support for local authority Prevent
    coordinators funded by the Home Office in priority areas (currently thirty
    local authorities, based on assessment of risk), to ensure that they understand
    the threat of extremism and are equipped to deal with it effectively. This is
    done through regular regional events, issuing briefings on specific issues, and
    sharing best practice across different authorities. The police, including
    police Prevent co-ordinators, also work closely with local authorities and
    share appropriate information with them.

    The Home Office issued advice in 2013 to help local authority Prevent
    Coordinators manage the challenges posed by extremist speakers. This included
    an overview of the duties placed upon public bodies under the Equalities Act
    2010 and the regulations that events must comply with.

    Additionally, the Department for Communities and Local Government gave
    Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Luton Borough Council funding to lead
    a national Special Interest Group of local authorities across England affected
    by the activities of the English Defence League and similar groups, which has
    supported them in sharing knowledge about what works best in tackling extremist
    groups.

  • Gareth Thomas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Gareth Thomas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place in the Library the terms of reference of the independent medal review by Sir John Holmes; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Francis Maude

    I refer the hon. Member to the my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s statements on 30 April 2012, (Official Report), Column Ref: 55WS and 17 July 2012 (Official Report) Column Ref 132WS.

    An announcement will be made once the full set of reviews is complete and has been approvedin the usual way.

  • Jim Murphy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Jim Murphy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Murphy on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to support the proposed target to end HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030 in the upcoming Open Working Group negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Justine Greening

    The UK supports a target to reduce the burden of disease from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. Language on this is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.

    The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the drug pembrolizumab will be available on the NHS for treatment of skin cancer.

    Norman Lamb

    The manufacturer of pembrolizumab, Merck, has not yet filed an application for a marketing authorisation for use in the European Union.

    Hospital doctors can arrange for the supply of any drug or other substance, even one not normally available on National Health Service prescription, provided the patient’s commissioner agrees to supply it at NHS expense. The doctor would, in those circumstances, have to retain clinical responsibility for the patient while prescribing the drug in question.

  • Nigel Evans – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Nigel Evans – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of local authorities have had their core strategy approved to date; and how many such strategies were approved on the first submission.

    Nick Boles

    Our streamlined National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages areas to get up-to-date Local Plans in place, and we have been actively supporting councils in doing so. Local Plans set the framework for planning decisions, whether locally or at appeal, and put councils in the best place to decide development in their area.

    As of 30 May 2014, 54% of local authorities have adopted a core strategy. 77% have at least reached publication stage. In May 2010, only 17% of local authorities had adopted a core strategy.

    The examination process tests the submitted plan to ensure that it is sound. Following the Localism Act 2011, independent Planning Inspectors report to the local authority and identify any conflicts between the submitted plan and national policy and regulatory process. Councils are able to suggest their own modifications for assessment by the Inspector during the examination, as well as making minor non-material changes themselves. They can also ask the Inspector to recommend changes. The council is then free to choose to accept the Inspector’s recommendations and adopt the plan, or resubmit a new plan.

    This approach is aimed at encouraging a more collaborative process as the public examination proceeds. We have encouraged Inspectors to be pragmatic in making recommendations that will allow early adoption of sound plans which meet national policy requirements.