The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrea Jenkyns on 2016-05-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy is on taking account of the effect on the demand for school places caused by immigration (a) in general and (b) from nationals from other EEA countries.
Edward Timpson
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-06-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was NHS England’s expenditure on all specialised services, disaggregated by different condition areas, in the last financial year, and what is their planned expenditure for the current year.
Lord Prior of Brampton
Planned spend figures for specialised commissioning by NHS England at programme of care level are not generally available. However, the hepatitis C budget for 2016/17 has been published and is £191 million.
Actual spend levels by NHS England are analysed to provide a breakdown for the previous year. An exercise to establish these figures is due to begin shortly.
Services for Multiple Sclerosis are commissioned mainly by clinical commissioning groups and spend data is not collected centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 2016-09-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the National Food Crime Unit’s budget and enforcement powers are being reviewed in the light of Professor Chris Elliott’s recent comments that it does not have enough authority.
Lord Prior of Brampton
In response to Professor Elliott’s 2014 review of the integrity and assurance of food supply networks, the Government established a National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) to give a focus to enforcement efforts against fraud and criminality in the food chain. The Government, in its response to the Elliott review, agreed there should be a review of progress and likely future need after two years. A copy of the Elliot review and the Government’s response is attached.
The NFCU reaches the two year milestone at the end of December 2016 with the review scheduled to be completed by that time. Work has already begun on the review, which is being carried out within the Food Standards Agency’s resources under the oversight of an independent steering group, made up of three external experts representing law enforcement, consumers and industry. Among other issues the review is considering the resources and enforcement powers available to the NFCU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Thangam Debbonaire on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department has taken to assess the impact of hydraulic fracturing in (a) national parks and (b) other environmentally sensitive areas.
Andrea Leadsom
The Government issued guidance on its planning policy on unconventional hydrocarbon development in National Parks, the Broads, AONBs and World Heritage Sites in July 2014, which clearly sets out the high level of protection accorded to these areas in respect to development.1
In addition, in July 2015 the Government laid draft regulations that define protected areas in which hydraulic fracturing will be prohibited. These regulations ensure that the process of high volume hydraulic fracturing cannot take place at depths above 1200 metres in National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage Sites and areas that are most vulnerable to groundwater pollution.2
We have also separately committed to ensuring that fracking cannot be conducted from wells that are drilled in the UK’s most valuable areas and are minded to apply these in Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Ramsar and Natura 2000 sites, as well as the areas covered by the draft Protected Areas regulations.3
2]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-defines-protected-areas-for-shale-developments
[3]https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-licensing-rounds#surface-development-restrictions
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keir Starmer on 2015-12-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the effect of the drought in the Horn of Africa on Eritrea and (b) the response of the Eritrean government and the international community to that drought.
Mr Nick Hurd
Official food security and nutrition data for Eritrea for this year has not yet been released, but the late onset of rains, relatively low volume of rainfall, and significant soil moisture deficits are likely to have had a negative impact on both farming and pastoral communities. The country and regional offices of the World Food Programme and UNICEF are monitoring the situation closely.
DFID is funding nutrition support activities in areas affected by El Nino in the Horn of Africa through UNICEF’s regional programme, which covers Eritrea
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Mactaggart on 2016-01-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she last met the Home Secretary to discuss support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children and trafficked children; and if she will make a statement.
Edward Timpson
The Government attaches high priority to ensuring that unaccompanied asylum seeking children and trafficked children who arrive in the UK are safe and well cared for. Responsibility for this rests with local authorities.
On 15 December 2015, the Minister for Immigration and Ico-hosted a round table with key local authority representatives to discuss how this responsibility can be shared more evenly between local authorities, in order to relieve pressure on children’s services in those areas with a disproportionately high number. We believe that sharing out this responsibility will benefit both the children involved and other children already in the care of those authorities. Ensuring that unaccompanied asylum seeking children are safe and well supported will remain of paramount importance for any new arrangements arising out of these discussions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Storey on 2016-02-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any restrictions on the number of Freedom of Information requests an individual can make.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The Freedom of Information Act does not place a specific limit on the number of requests an individual can make. However, a request or series of requests for similar information may be refused where they exceed the cost limit, or are vexatious or repeated requests.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2016-03-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many surrenders of suspects to and from the UK there have been under the European Arrest Warrant since April 2015.
James Brokenshire
Figures for this period are not yet available. They will be released by the National Crime Agency when they have been verified later in the year.
The following statistics provide a breakdown of surrenders to and from the UK under European Arrest Warrants between 2009 – 2015. These are shown in the form of figures from April to the end of March of each year.
|
Surrenders to the UK |
2009-10 |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
Total |
|
Surrenders |
110 |
130 |
144 |
123 |
140 |
138 |
785 |
|
Surrenders from the UK |
2009-10 |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
Total |
|
Surrenders |
772 |
1,100 |
1,076 |
1,057 |
1,067 |
1,093 |
6,165 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Danny Kinahan on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many verbal and physical assaults on NHS staff have been recorded in the last three years.
Ben Gummer
Information on the number of verbal assaults on National Health Service staff is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
NHS Protect collates figures annually on reported physical assaults on NHS staff in England.
The table below shows the number of reported physical assaults in the last three years:
Reported physical assaults against NHS staff
|
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
|
63,199 |
68,683 |
67,864 |
Detailed tables of information on the number of physical assaults since 2004-05, as reported by each health body, is at:
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/3645.aspx
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-05-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the effect of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in Yemen.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We consider a range of information from government sources, foreign governments, the media and international non-governmental organisations regarding reports of potential breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). We regularly raise the importance of compliance with IHL with the Saudi Arabian Government and other members of the military Coalition. We also praise the importance of compliance with IHL with the Houthis.