Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Lord Ahmed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Ahmed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Ahmed on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, during the visit to London by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they will raise with him (1) the issue of gender-based violence in India, and (2) the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts, the powers they grant to the Indian Armed Forces in Kashmir and the north eastern states of India, and related immunities from prosecution.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls around the world and we work closely with the Indian government and international partners on this important issue. Prime Minister Modi’s speech to 60,000 members of the Indian Diaspora at Wembley Stadium also referred to the importance of ensuring safe and secure work places for women.

    We are aware of concerns regarding allegations of immunity from prosecution for Indian armed forces personnel under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. There is a mechanism which allows people to request that the Indian government investigate such concerns. Any allegations of human rights abuses must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently.

  • David Nuttall – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    David Nuttall – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Nuttall on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to safeguard gas and electricity supplies in the event of a terrorist attack.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The Government takes the security of the energy sector very seriously and DECC works closely with industry and the relevant agencies in order to ensure a robust and proportionate security regime.

  • David Hanson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Hanson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2016-01-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many suspensions of the Secure ID checks took place (a) in the UK, (b) at each port and (c) at each airport in each of the last five years.

    James Brokenshire

    In November 2011, the then Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration found that the then UKBA had carried out a number of suspensions of Warnings Index Checks without due ministerial authority. Since then, Border Force has operated to a Ministerially-approved mandate that requires it to undertake Warnings Index Checks against all passengers arriving into the UK on scheduled, commercial routes; and Secure ID Checks against passengers that require a visa to enter the UK. These checks have not been suspended at any port since November 2011.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to make new stem-cell therapy available on the NHS for patients with multiple sclerosis.

    Jane Ellison

    The Government continues to support research through a range of funding agencies into new treatments for multiple sclerosis. Clinical trials are currently underway to test the potential of stem cell treatments for multiple sclerosis. Before any treatment could be made available on the National Health Service it would have to meet normal standards of safety and effectiveness.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-03-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to make the most up-to-date haemorrhoid treatment available on the NHS.

    Jane Ellison

    Treatments may be brought into routine use in the National Health Service after their efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness have been appropriately demonstrated. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also has an important role in assessing new technologies and interventional procedure providing, as well producing, best practice approaches to treatment and care for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

  • Emily Thornberry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Emily Thornberry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions the chairs of the (a) Defence, (b) Foreign Affairs and (c) Intelligence and Security Committee were briefed on special forces operations in each of the last 10 years.

    Penny Mordaunt

    This Government has demonstrated its commitment to our Special Forces by announcing a £2 billion programme of investment over the course of this Parliament. All military operations, including the activities of the Special Forces, are discussed and scrutinised at the highest levels of Government, including at the National Security Council. However, as it is the longstanding policy of the Government not to comment on our Special Forces, or to release information relating to them, I cannot comment on specific questions about personnel, equipment, discussions or activities in relation to these units.

  • Mary Glindon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    Mary Glindon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Glindon on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project.

    Guto Bebb

    My office remains in close contact with the Department of Energy and Climate Change on the potential development of a tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay.

    We have announced an independent review into tidal power which will be led by industry expert Charles Hendry, who is well regarded across the energy industry and on both sides of the House.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which types of lorries are being used for the delivery of High Speed 2 projects.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    Principal contractors will be required to determine what HGVs are employed on HS2 construction and ensure they comply with relevant quality standards such as Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. It is anticipated that excavated material will be transported in rigid tippers (up to 33 tonne gross vehicle weight), and concrete will be supplied in 6 or 8 cubic metre capacity rigid lorries. Other materials are likely to be supplied by a mixture of rigid and articulated lorries of various sizes.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-09-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that public transport is adequately equipped for people with sensory loss.

    Andrew Jones

    The Government recognises how important improving access to public transport is for people with visual impairments and is committed to making transport more inclusive.

    Buses and coaches subject to the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) must incorporate a range of features to make bus travel more accessible for visually impaired people, including priority seating, colour-contrasting hand-holds and step edges, and destination blinds using clear typefaces. PSVAR applies to single-deck buses already, and double-deck buses must comply from 1st January 2017.

    The Bus Services Bill will specifically allow enhanced partnership schemes to require all buses within a local area to provide audible and visual next stop information. Authorities using the new franchising powers will be able to place similar requirements on affected operators. The Government has also agreed to consider amendments on this issue which were tabled during the Bill’s committee stage in the House of Lords.

    We are also aware that positive interactions with bus drivers can make a big difference to the experience of visually impaired people taking the bus. We are working with the bus industry and disabled people to design best practice guidance in delivering disability awareness training which, we hope, will help to give bus drivers the skills and knowledge to assist every disabled passenger.

    The Government also intends to publish an Accessibility Action Plan for consultation by the end of the year which will present its ambition for further progress on this agenda.

  • Lord Roberts of Llandudno – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Roberts of Llandudno – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-11-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government from which refugee camps the 1,000 refugees who are to be brought to the UK by Christmas are coming.

    Lord Bates

    UNHCR identifies and proposes Syrian refugees for the VPR scheme from among the whole of the registered refugee population in the region, from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt. This includes people in formal refugee camps, informal settlements and host communities. This provides refugees with a more direct and safe route to the UK, rather than risking the hazardous journey to Europe which has tragically cost so many lives.