The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the provision of overtime payments to train staff employed by Govia Thameslink Railway.
Claire Perry
We do not receive information regarding staff costs to this level of granularity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-09-15.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the surplus/deficit in the National Insurance Fund is.
Jane Ellison
There are two separate National Insurance Funds (NIF) one for Great Britain and a significantly smaller Northern Ireland Fund.
The balance on the GB NIF as at 31 March 2015 was £20.9bn and the Northern Ireland NIF was £0.5bn. These balance can be found in the accounts which were published on 29 October 2015, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-insurance-fund-accounts.
The NIF accounts for the year ending 31 March 2016 are currently in the process of being audited prior to publication.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to raise the issue of harassment and persecution of Tibetan Buddhists in Tibet with the Chinese government.
Alok Sharma
I refer my Hon. Friend to my answer of 18 October 2016 (PQ 48663).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2015-11-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions took place between his Department and the Department for Education about the allocation of funds to the Pioneer Communities Project.
Greg Hands
The Government announced at Autumn Statement 2014 funding for the Department for Education for an “Early intervention pilot for 0-2 year olds – to pilot a new approach to ensure that the most effective early intervention actions are taken during a child’s earliest years, to prevent avoidable problems later.”
This measure was to be delivered by the Department for Education, who worked with a number of stakeholders including Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Wave Trust and the Early Intervention Foundation to identify options to deliver the project.
As no contract has been signed for this measure, in June 2015 the Department for Education undertook not to proceed with the measure in this financial year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy is on local authorities offering council tax discounts to in-house foster carers but not to independent or agency foster carers looking after children in care from that authority; and what information she holds on which authorities have such arrangements.
Edward Timpson
The arrangement of foster care placements is the duty of local authorities. The regulatory framework for the provision of foster care placements is clear that local authorities must have access to sufficient placements to meet the needs of the children they look after.
The framework referred to above is clear that foster carers should not be economically disadvantaged as a consequence of carrying out their role on behalf of the local authority.
There is no specific provision for foster carers in council tax legislation. However, local authorities are able to grant council tax reductions to any individuals or groups as they see fit.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-11.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.
Matthew Hancock
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 January 2016 to UIN: 21952.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish her review of children’s centres; and for what reasons that review was not published in 2015.
Mr Sam Gyimah
We value children’s centres services. We are committed to consulting on the role of children’s centres in 2016. Details about the scope and timing of the consultation will be made available in due course and will be publicised widely to ensure the broadest possible response.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department issues to sperm banks on the grounds for rejecting donors.
Jane Ellison
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) issues guidance to licensed clinics, including sperm banks, on donor recruitment, assessment and screening in the HFEA Code of Practice. A copy of which is attached.
The HFEA requires clinics to select donors on the basis of their age, health and medical history, provided on a questionnaire and through a personal interview performed by a qualified and trained healthcare professional. This assessment must include relevant factors that may assist in identifying and screening out persons whose donations could present a health risk to others, such as the possibility of transmitting diseases, (such as sexually transmitted infections) or health risks to themselves (e.g. the risks associated with the egg collection procedure or the psychological consequences of being a donor).
Clinics should ensure that its procedures for recruiting donors are fair and non-discriminatory. The HFEA has never required or endorsed prohibiting people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disorders from becoming sperm donors. In relation to the recent press coverage about a particular centre, the HFEA has clarified its requirements for selecting donors with this centre, and has reviewed all the exemptions cited in the centre’s materials, to ensure that all future donors are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-03-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to respond to Question 24897, tabled on 29 January 2016 by the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham for Answer on 3 February 2016.
Joseph Johnson
I apologise to my hon Friend for the delay. I will reply shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the UK-China human rights dialogue to take place.
Mr Hugo Swire
The next round of the annual UK-China Human Rights Dialogue will take place in London. The date is still being agreed with the Chinese Government.