Tag: Robert Flello

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with his Colombian counterpart (a) the deteriorating health of many former combatant prisoners, (b) the reported human rights violations of prisoners, (c) the reported arbitrary transfers of prisoners and (d) the reported isolation of prisoners in that country which have taken place since its government’s pledges of November 2015 made following the prisoners’ hunger strike there.

Mr Hugo Swire

I am aware of the hunger strike by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) across 13 prisons in November over prison conditions, and recent Colombian media reports on the same issue.

I understand the Colombian government and the FARC are currently discussing end of conflict issues, which include prisoner rights. It would not be appropriate for the United Kingdom to interfere in matters under negotiation, not least as we near the 23 March deadline for talks to conclude.

The hon. Member will recall that our Embassy in Bogotá has closely followed the cases of specific Colombian prisoners, such as David Ravelo and Húber Ballesteros, discussing concerns with the Presidential advisor for human rights and the prisons authority.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on who took the decision not to use a professional heavy vehicle recovery operator to recover the bus which was trapped in floodwater in Dailley, Ayrshire, in December 2015.

Rory Stewart

These decisions would have been taken by the Scottish Government, as flooding is a devolved matter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if will he take steps to ensure that British Pregnancy Advisory Service abortion clinics do not act outside the licence for anaesthetics and do not share single doses between patients.

Jane Ellison

One representation has been received in relation to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) inspection of BPAS Richmond. The CQC is responsible for ensuring that requirements under the Health and Social Care (HSC) Act 2008 are met by the providers of termination of pregnancy services including meeting the fundamental standards of quality and safety as set out in Part 3 to the 2014 Regulations, and Regulation 20 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, which is specific to independent sector termination of pregnancy providers. The CQC is responsible for ensuring that the requirements under the HSC Act 2008 are maintained through a system of monitoring and, where appropriate, inspection visits. It is for the CQC and the provider to address required and recommended actions identified following an inspection.

Independent sector providers are also required to comply with the Department of Health’s Required Standard Operating Procedures.

Departmental officials meet regularly with representatives from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) but have not met since the CQC report on BPAS Richmond was published.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-04-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on signing the Luxembourg rail protocol.

Claire Perry

The United Kingdom signed the Luxembourg Rail Protocol on the 26^th February 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-07-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Highways England vehicles there are available for motorway patrol; how many such vehicles are deployed at any one time; and how many such vehicles deployed carry defibrillators.

Andrew Jones

Highways England’s traffic officer service has 198 vehicles. On a typical weekday, there are approximately 90 vehicles deployed during the day shifts and around 49 for night times. Where there are major events or severe weather warnings, with likely impacts on the strategic road network, additional vehicles will be used.

None of the vehicles carry defibrillators.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of its methods of alleviating road congestion on motorways after an incident; and what plans his Department has to improve those methods.

Andrew Jones

Highways England Traffic Officers play an important role in keeping traffic moving by helping road users in the event of a breakdown or collision, clearing debris from the motorways and returning the road back to normal.

To assess how well Highways England are performing in clearing incidents, a target has been set to clear 85% of all lane impact incidents on the motorway network with one hour, as set out in the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS) and reported on annually. Highways England works closely with the other emergency responders including police forces, ambulance authorities, and fire and rescue services to improve its incident response.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has about the individual who currently holds the position of UN Special Advisor on Genocide; what recent representations to that individual about the killings by Daesh of Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq; and what plans he has to meet the Special Advisor to discuss the crisis in those countries.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

Adama Dieng was appointed UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide on 17 July 2012. His role is to: raise awareness of the causes and dynamics of genocide; to alert relevant actors where there is a risk of genocide; and to advocate and mobilise for appropriate action. The Office of the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect has made a number of statements in relation to the situation in Iraq and Syria. These statements can be found on the UN website, and cover a range of issues including: incitement to violence in Syria on religious grounds; expressing concern about the on-going threat to the safety of minority groups in Syria; and expressing alarm at reports of the abduction of 1,500 Yezidi, Christian and Shabak women and girls.

Any judgement on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations, and to prevent their further escalation, irrespective of whether these violations fit the definition of specific international crimes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the time taken to transfer women from abortion clinics to hospitals in cases of serious complications following abortions; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison

In May 2014, the Department published updated requirements (Procedures for the Approval of Independent Sector Places for the Termination of Pregnancy (Abortion)) which the providers of independent sector abortion services must agree to comply with to be approved by the Secretary of State to perform abortions. This includes the requirement to have in place procedures and protocols to deal with emergencies and the transfer to specialist services. A copy of the guidance is attached.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-05-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the decision of the House of 20 April 2016, on recognition of genocide by Daesh against Yazidis, Christians and other religious minorities, what steps he is taking to implement that resolution.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

This Government shares the House of Common’s condemnation of Daesh atrocities against minorities, and the majority Muslim populations of Iraq and Syria. The Prime Minister, the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) has said he believes there is a very strong case to answer, but ultimately it should be a matter for judicial authorities.

We will do all we can to support the gathering and preservation of evidence that could in future be used in a court to hold Daesh to account. And we are continuing to deliver our comprehensive strategy to defeat Daesh and thereby stop them from preventing more atrocities. Addition as per PQ 35349.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to address non-payment of tolls, charges, penalties and fees by non-UK drivers.

Mr John Hayes

The Government takes the recovery of non-payment of tolls, charges, penalties and fees very seriously by UK and non UK drivers. The following sets out the steps used by the different organisations responsible in addressing the non-payment of UK charges and penalties.

When a non-UK vehicle uses the Dartford Crossing without paying the Dart Charge, Highways England uses a European debt recovery agency to issue a Penalty Charge Notice. Highways England also runs seasonal compliance campaigns, providing translated material at ports, airports and poster sites in the Calais area to build broader awareness for foreign drivers heading to the UK.

For the HGV levy, the Government has effective enforcement procedures that are delivering 95% compliance rates in Great Britain. The Driver and Vehicle and Licencing Agency (DVLA) has the powers to target non-compliant vehicles, and hold them until a penalty is paid.

Enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for the police. They are able to issue penalties for speeding, and those who cannot provide a verified UK address can be required to make an on-the-spot roadside payment, known as a fixed penalty deposit.

Local authorities have powers to clamp or remove foreign vehicles to ensure drivers comply with parking restrictions and pay any penalties.

The Government will continue to look at the ways we collect tolls, charges, penalties and fees by non-UK drivers and ensure improvements are made where necessary.