The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to publish its Work and Health Green Paper; and if he will make a statement.
Penny Mordaunt
We will publish a Green Paper later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-11-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many buses in England outside London are fitted with audio-visual announcement systems (AV); and what assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of AV on bus patronage.
Andrew Jones
We do not publish statistics on the number of buses in England which are fitted with audio visual systems. Analysis of data from the Nottingham City area did not suggest that AV equipment had a statistically significant impact on patronage.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Madeleine Moon on 2015-12-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2015 to Question 19431, when in 2016 he expects the national shipbuilding strategy to be published.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 confirmed that the National Shipbuilding Strategy would be published in 2016. The final date for publication has not yet been determined.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Palmer on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Chairman of Committees which members of House of Lords’ staff are entitled to free food or refreshments in the House’s facilities.
Lord Laming
Catering and Retail Services staff are provided with meals without charge during shifts, in accordance with arrangements made by the Head of Catering and Retail Services. This is standard practice in the hospitality industry.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-02-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many businesses have signed agreements with the Business Growth Service in (a) the UK and (b) Kirklees.
Anna Soubry
9,111 businesses in the UK, and 90 businesses in Kirklees, signed agreements with the Business Growth Service since the launch of the service in December 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Shinkwin on 2016-03-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what (1) recent discussions they have had, and (2) consultation they have conducted, with (a) people with Down’s Syndrome, (b) families of people with Down’s Syndrome, and (c) Down’s Syndrome advocacy groups, about the National Screening Council’s recommendation that the NHS should offer a non-invasive prenatal testing technique, which could result in more abortions on the grounds of a Down’s Syndrome diagnosis; and whether they will publish any such consultation responses, and if so, when.
Lord Prior of Brampton
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) commissioned a full review of the published scientific and cost evidence (systematic review) relating to Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). Based on the evidence from the systematic review and the pilot study, the UK NSC ran a three month consultation that closed on 30 October 2015 seeking views on whether NIPT be offered as an additional test to women identified with a higher risk of carrying a baby with a chromosomal condition.
The consultation was sent directly to 38 organisations and responses were received from 30 stakeholders. Details of the evidence recommendation can be found in the document titled, ‘cfDNA Systematic Review Final Report.’ Details of the organisations contacted can be found in Annex A of the document titled, ‘cfDNA Cover Sheet’ and consultation responses can be found in the document titled, ‘Screening for cfDNA Compiled Comments.’ All three documents were published on the UK NSC website and copies are attached.
The UK NSC review included the early findings from the Reliable Accurate Prenatal non-Invasive Diagnosis study. However, the possible introduction of NIPT for Down’s, Patau’s and Edwards’ syndromes to the National Health Service foetal anomaly screening programme does not fundamentally alter the choices presented to prospective parents regarding entering the foetal anomaly screening programme or not, or in options and choices available when testing identifies a foetus with a syndrome. Therefore, no assessment was made of the impact of NIPT on the number of abortions, Down’s Syndrome community and medical professional and society’s attitudes towards people with Down’s syndrome.
As NIPT for Down’s, Patau’s and Edward’s syndromes is giving more accurate information than women already get, the UK NSC does not consider it to raise any new ethical issues. However, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics held a workshop in January 2016 to consider the ethical aspects of introducing NIPT.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Derek Twigg on 2016-04-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of local authorities expected to have a shortfall in adult social care funding after implementation of the two per cent social care precept.
Mr Marcus Jones
No such estimate has been made. Local authorities have the freedom and flexibility to prioritise and make their own decisions on how they spend their budgets and meet their statutory duties (including in relation to adult social care). The Government has provided a package of support of up to £3.5 billion to ensure councils are able to support up to some of their older and most vulnerable residents. This is greater than the Local Government Association’s £2.9 billion estimate set out in their Spending Review submission.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press notice entitled Next Steps to spread educational excellence everywhere announced, published on 6 May 2016, how long before she made the announcement of her decision to change her policy on schools becoming academies that decision was made.
Edward Timpson
When our White Paper Educational Excellence Everywhere was published, we were clear that we would be listening and reflecting on discussions with MPs and the education sector about all of the proposals in the White Paper. Following these discussions, we have decided it is not necessary to take blanket powers to convert good schools in strong local authorities to academies at this time.
We remain committed to the vision of a dynamic high-performing education system where every school is an academy. We believe that this is the best way to tackle underperformance and ensure the best schools expand their reach.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what his policy is on the role Parliament will have in negotiations related to the UK leaving the EU.
Mr David Davis
The Department for Exiting the EU will work closely with Parliament on what the approach to negotiations should be. While legally there is no obligation to consult Parliament on triggering Article 50, it will clearly have an important role in making sure that we find the best way forward.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to reform management of the waters in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
George Eustice
Exit from the European Union presents us with an opportunity to improve the way waters in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone are managed. No decisions have yet been taken, although the Government remains committed to sustainable fisheries and eliminating discards, as set out in its manifesto.