Tag: Tom Watson

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.

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on legal advice relating to Freedom of Information cases in the last 12 months.

Ben Gummer

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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 plans he has to consult opposition parties on the process of negotiating the UK exit from the EU; and what plans he has to consult those parties during those negotiations.

Mr David Davis

The Department for Exiting the EU will lead the UK’s negotiations to leave the European Union and establish the future relationship between the EU and the UK, working closely with the UK Parliament, devolved administrations, and a wide range of other interested parties. Consultation with opposition parties will be an important part of this process.