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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Tracey Crouch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Tracey Crouch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tracey Crouch on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many individuals have been awarded a war disablement pension for mesothelioma since 1994; what estimate he has made of the number of former members of the armed forces who have gone on to develop mesothelioma; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is unable to provide the number of individuals awarded a War Disablement Pension (WDP) for Mesothelioma since 1994 in the time scale requested. However, as at 31 March 2013, 50 individuals were in receipt of a WDP for a recorded condition of Mesothelioma.

    The MOD has no estimated data of former personnel with Mesothelioma.

  • Biography information for Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Biography information for Simon Burns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Simon Burns on Health.

    1

    Norman Lamb

    The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published technology appraisal guidance in June 2012 which recommends abiraterone (Zytiga) in its licensed indication for the treatment of castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen, subject to a patient access scheme agreed between the Department and the drug’s manufacturer.

    NICE is currently appraising abiraterone for the treatment of metastatic hormone relapsed prostate cancer not previously treated with chemotherapy and has not yet published final guidance for the National Health Service. We understand that NICE has recently consulted on its draft guidance for this indication, which can be found at:

    http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TAG/434/Consultation/Latest

    NHS commissioners are legally required to fund those treatments recommended by NICE in its technology appraisal guidance.

    In the absence of NICE technology appraisal guidance it is for the relevant NHS commissioner to make funding decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence. The NHS Constitution states that patients have the right to expect local decisions on the funding of drugs and treatments ‘to be made rationally following a proper consideration of the evidence’.

    We understand that abiraterone as a first-line treatment is available through the Cancer Drugs Fund to NHS patients in England who could benefit from it.

    We are unable to provide copies of the correspondence requested in the time available and this information will be placed in the Library in due course.

  • Andy Sawford – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Andy Sawford – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Sawford on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department plans to take to monitor how many primary schools offer a hot meal option to all pupils in reception, year one and year two from September 2014.

    Mr David Laws

    We have made it clear that, as schools implement the universal infant free school meals policy, they should ensure that pupils are routinely offered the option of a hot meal.

    We will monitor the take-up of school meals through the Schools Census for children in reception, year one and year two beginning in the autumn term of the 2014/15 academic year.

  • Laurence Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Laurence Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on the exporting of live horses and ponies for slaughter.

    George Eustice

    There is no ban in place on the export of live horses for slaughter. However, there is a system of inspections and checks in place to make sure that horses are healthy and fit for transport. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) undertakes risk based inspections of equines destined for export. Local authorities also undertake inspection work and are responsible for investigating breaches of the welfare legislation with a view to prosecution.

  • Kate Hoey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Kate Hoey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hoey on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with the new European Commissioner for Health, at the earliest opportunity after his or her appointment, continued access by British consumers to safe, high potency vitamins and minerals; and if he will make a statement.

    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.

  • Ian Paisley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Ian Paisley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Paisley on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products on the work of the (a) police and (b) UK Border Force in combating the trade in illicit tobacco.

    James Brokenshire

    The introduction of plain packaging is likely to have a limited impact. Border
    Force does not target on the basis of brand, rather by identifying goods and
    people that are known to, or may, represent a risk to the UK using analysis and
    intelligence based risk indicators to inform intervention at the earliest and
    most appropriate opportunity.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

    Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Prime Minister, how many visits he made to Northern Ireland in an official capacity in 2013.

    Mr David Cameron

    I regularly meet the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss a range of issues and will continue to do so.

    I visit all parts of the United Kingdom regularly, including Northern Ireland. I last visited Northern Ireland on Thursday 10 – Friday 11 October 2013.

  • Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Green on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether all staff employed by Atos Healthcare to perform the company’s contract with his Department for the conduct of work capability assessments will receive full protection under TUPE provisions.

    Mike Penning

    When Atos Healthcare withdraws from the delivery of work capability assessments in February 2015, a new national provider will be brought in. It is expected that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations will apply and most of the Atos Healthcare employees will transfer to the new provider.

  • Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 204 of HM Treasury’s Central Government and Supply Estimates 2013-14, February 2014, HC 1006, if he will provide a breakdown of the £15.877 million supplementary estimate for the increase in costs of student loan debt sale.

    Mr David Willetts

    The Supplementary Estimate adjustment for the student loan debt sale relates to the Government subsidising the sale of student loans in 1998 and 1999. The adjustment reflects changes to the value of the Government liability following annual debt sale subsidy payments, including adjustments for cancelled loans.

    The subsidy will continue until all the loans are extinguished which is expected to be no earlier than 2028, which is the 30 year duration of the first debt sale agreement.

    Further details of the liability are available in the BIS Annual Report and Accounts.

  • Graeme Morrice – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Graeme Morrice – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graeme Morrice on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether his Department has any plans to end the employee trade union membership dues check-off system.

    Jenny Willott

    I have no plans to end the Department’s check-off arrangements.