Tag: Tom Watson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-12.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve BME representation on the Board of his Department.

Ben Gummer

Diversity and inclusion is a key priority for the Civil Service and for the Cabinet Office. The Executive Committee of the Cabinet Office recently commissioned work on a departmental diversity and inclusion strategy, which will be published this month. This strategy promotes a more inclusive culture in the department through key strands of work on leadership, declaration data, supporting those from under-represented groups and promoting the work of the employee diversity networks. A key aim of the strategy is to promote the advancement of those from all under-represented groups, including women and black and minority ethnic staff.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he plans to consult Parliament on the triggering of Article 50.

Mr Robin Walker

The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected and delivered. 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 Tom Watson on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many former special advisers of her Department submitted applications under the business appointment rules between June 2014 and October 2015.

Sarah Newton

The information requested is available at:

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/advisory-committee-on-business-appointments

where details of all recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments in response to applications submitted under these rules are published.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure that business appointment rules are enforced for civil servants after leaving the Civil Service.

Ben Gummer

The Business Appointment Rules apply to all civil servants. The rules make clear the process for compliance. The aim of the Rules is to avoid any reasonable concerns that a civil servant might be influenced in carrying out his or her official duties by the hope or expectation of future employment with a particular firm or organisation. The Government’s view is that the rules are effective in managing departures from the civil service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-08.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials of his Department provide secretariat support to unpaid advisors.

Ben Gummer

There are no unpaid special advisers in the Cabinet Office.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to reform the regulation of fixed odds betting terminals.

Tracey Crouch

The Government announced a review of Gaming Machines on 24 October which will look at evidence in regards to stakes and prizes of gaming machines; the number and location of gaming machines; and social responsibility measures to protect players and communities from gambling-related harm, including gambling advertising.

This review will include a close look at the issue of sub-category B2 gaming machines (more commonly known as Fixed Odds Betting Terminals – FOBTs) and specific concerns about the harm they cause, be that to the players themselves or the local communities in which they are located. This is the correct mechanism in which to look again at this issue.

There is now an opportunity for anyone with an interest in this matter to submit evidence for consideration. The Call for Evidence period ends on 4 December 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials in the private offices group are employed on temporary contracts.

Matthew Hancock

At 31 January 2016, the Private Office Group in my department employed no officials on temporary contracts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-03-03.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what expenses were claimed by members of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information.

Matthew Hancock

The total expenditure of the Commission will be published in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made on bringing forward proposals for a modern public services ombudsman in the last three months.

John Penrose

The Government is making good progress and will publish draft legislation in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government took before 23 June 2016 to prepare for a potential vote to leave the EU in the referendum.

Matthew Hancock

As the Governor of the Bank of England and the Chancellor have confirmed UK authorities took action ahead of the referendum to mitigate risks to financial stability and market functioning in the event of a vote to leave. The Government’s clear position was that the UK should remain a member of the European Union and the civil service worked in support of that in the run up to the referendum.