Daily Report Friday, 3 May 2019 CONTENTS · 5/3/2019 · Daily Report Friday, 3 May 2019 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 3 May 2019 and the information

Daily Report Friday, 3 May 2019

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 3 May 2019 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (03:32 P.M., 03 May 2019). For the latest

information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements,

please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 4

ATTORNEY GENERAL 4

Attorney General: Brexit 4

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 4

Climate Change: International

Cooperation 4

Consumers: Regulation 5

CABINET OFFICE 5

Cabinet Office: Brexit 5

Constituencies 6

European Parliament:

Elections 6

DEFENCE 7

Air Force: Training 7

KBR: Contracts 8

Navantia: Procurement 8

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 8

Culture: Finance 8

Technology: Bullying 9

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 9

Canoeing 9

Countryside: Access 9

Inland Waterways 10

EXITING THE EUROPEAN

UNION 10

Brexit 10

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 11

Climate Change 11

Foreign and Commonwealth

Office: Brexit 11

Sri Lanka: Terrorism 12

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 12

Aortic Dissection: Diagnosis 12

Aortic Dissection: Tomography 13

Asthma 13

Cancer: Social Security

Benefits 13

Cannabis: Medical Treatments 14

Cardiovascular System:

Diseases 14

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

Greater London 15

Dental Health: Health

Education 15

Diabetes: Orthopaedics 16

Electronic Cigarettes 16

Food Poisoning: Admissions 16

General Practitioners:

Oxfordshire 17

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Health Services: Planning 17

Heart Diseases 18

Heart Diseases: Surgery 18

HIV Infection: Drugs 18

Human Papillomavirus:

Vaccination 19

Hypertension: Clinics 19

Opiates: Prescriptions 19

Orkambi 20

Raynaud's Phenomenon 20

Riluzole 20

Sapropterin 21

Urinary Tract Infections:

Screening 21

Vaccination: Children 21

Vaccination: Disinformation 22

HOME OFFICE 22

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse 22

Counter-terrorism: Students 22

Criminal Investigation 23

Domestic Abuse: Victim

Support Schemes 23

Home Office: Brexit 24

Knives: Crime 25

Knives: Sales 26

Nuisance: Enforcement 27

Offences against Children 27

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 28

Building Better, Building

Beautiful Commission: Public

Appointments 28

Buildings: Insulation 28

Housing: Construction 29

Leasehold 29

Ministry of Housing,

Communities and Local

Government: Brexit 30

Multiple Occupation: Greater

London 31

Smallholdings 31

Tree Preservation Orders 31

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 32

Overseas Trade: Sustainable

Development 32

JUSTICE 32

Community Orders 32

Criminal Injuries

Compensation 35

Criminal Proceedings 35

Knives: Crime 36

Legal Aid Scheme 36

Prison Officers 37

Prison Officers: Resignations 37

Prison Officers: Training 38

Sexual Offences 39

Sexual Offences: Victim

Support Schemes 39

Tim Parker 40

SCOTLAND 40

Scotland Office: Brexit 40

TRANSPORT 41

Bristow Helicopters 41

Department for Transport:

Brexit 41

Driving: Licensing 41

East Midlands Rail Franchise 42

Gatwick Airport: Motorways 42

Railways: Manufacturing

Industries 42

Rolling Stock: Procurement 43

Shipping: Training 44

TREASURY 46

Amazon: Taxation 46

Automatic Number Plate

Recognition 46

Customs: Dover Port 46

Revenue and Customs: Pay 47

UK Trade with EU 47

WORK AND PENSIONS 48

Business: Asbestos and

Carcinogens 48

Notes:

Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant interest has been declared.

Questions with identification numbers of 900000 or greater indicate that the question was originally tabled as an

oral question and has since been unstarred.

ANSWERS

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Attorney General: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247559]

To ask the Attorney General, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to his

Department of preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Robert Buckland:

HM Treasury has allocated over £4.2 billion of additional funding to departments and

the Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far. This breaks down as:

£412m of additional funding over the spending review period for the Department for

Exiting the European Union, Department for International Trade and the Foreign &

Commonwealth Office at Autumn Statement 2016.

£286m of additional funding for 17/18 (a full breakdown of which can be found in

Supplementary Estimates 17/18:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/679738

/PU2137_Supplementary_estimates_web.pdf.)

Over £1.5bn of additional funding for 18/19. A full breakdown of the allocations can

be found in the Chief Secretary ’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, laid on

the 13th March ( https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-03-13/HCWS540/ )

Over £2bn of additional funding for 19/20. A full breakdown of the allocations can be

found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS1205, laid on the

18th December ( https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-12-18/HCWS1205/ )

The funding provided is in addition to the Attorney General’s Office’s efforts to

reprioritise from business as usual toward preparations for the UK’s departure from

the EU. This funding is to support preparation for all scenarios.

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Climate Change: International Cooperation

Vernon Coaker: [247585]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he next

plans to meet international counterparts to discuss climate change; and if he will make a

statement.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-04-25/247559

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Trade

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Trade

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Office

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Office

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/679738/PU2137_Supplementary_estimates_web.pdf



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Secretary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Secretary

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-03-13/HCWS540/







Kelly Tolhurst:

The UK continues to demonstrate the strong leadership needed to tackle climate

change, both at home and abroad. As an issue of significant public and international

importance my rt. hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of State for

Energy and Clean Growth regularly meet with their international counterparts to

discuss a range of issues including climate change.

Consumers: Regulation

Catherine McKinnell: [246523]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps

the Government is taking to ensure that regulators have the powers they need to address

the loyalty penalty that consumers pay for essential services.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The loyalty penalty is an important issue which the Government is determined to

address. The Government remains in regular dialogue with regulators to ensure their

powers are sufficient.

CABINET OFFICE

Cabinet Office: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247554]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate he has made of the cost

to his Department of preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Mr David Lidington:


the Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far.

This funding is to cover all exit scenarios, and is in addition to departmental efforts to


the EU.

Work on no-deal exit preparations cannot be readily separated from other EU exit

work. The Department is preparing for all eventualities and the resources available to

support preparations are kept under constant review.

This expenditure breaks down as:

• £412m of additional funding over the spending review period for the Department for


Commonwealth Office at Autumn Statement 2016.

• £286m of additional funding for 17/18 (a full breakdown of which can be found in

Supplementary Estimates 17/18). (


38/PU2137_Supplementary_estimates_web.pdf )






• Over £1.5bn of additional funding for 18/19. A full breakdown of the allocations can

be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, laid on

the 13th March 2018. ( https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-

questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-03-

13/HCWS540/ )

• Over £2bn of additional funding for 19/20. A full breakdown of the allocations can

be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS1205, laid

on the 18th December 2018. (

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-

statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-12-18/HCWS1205/ )

Constituencies

Cat Smith: [248715]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the

potential merits of conducting the next boundary review using census population statistics

and citizenship information sourced from passport data.

Kevin Foster:

Boundary reviews have always been based on the number of registered electors. The

Government remains of the view that continuing to use the definitive registered

electorate is the most effective way of keeping constituencies up to date.

European Parliament: Elections

Catherine West: [248741]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many European nationals resident in the

UK were registered to vote in the 2014 European elections.

Kevin Foster:

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the number of European nationals

resident in the UK who were registered to vote in the 2014 European Parliamentary

elections

The numbers of eligible people on the registers for electoral events are published by

the Electoral Commission following the elections taking place, but do not include a

breakdown of the numbers of EU citizens eligible to vote. The report on the 2014

European Parliamentary elections was produced by the Electoral Commission in July

2014 and is available online (www.electoralcommission.org.uk)

Similarly, the Cabinet Office does not hold information on the number of European

nationals resident in the UK who are registered to vote for the 2019 European

Parliamentary elections

Each Electoral Registration Officer maintains a register for their own local area. Some

headline registration statistics by area are collated and published annually by the

Office for National Statistics, however, this does not include a breakdown of the

numbers of EU citizens registered to vote. The total number of UK local government










electors – which includes EU citizens – in the year to December 2018 was 47.8

million

The latest bulletin is available at:

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/elections/electoralregistration.

Catherine West: [248742]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many European nationals resident in the

UK are registered to vote in the 2019 European elections.

Kevin Foster:

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the number of European nationals

resident in the UK who were registered to vote in the 2014 European Parliamentary

elections

The numbers of eligible people on the registers for electoral events are published by

the Electoral Commission following the elections taking place, but do not include a

breakdown of the numbers of EU citizens eligible to vote. The report on the 2014

European Parliamentary elections was produced by the Electoral Commission in July

2014 and is available online (www.electoralcommission.org.uk)

Similarly, the Cabinet Office does not hold information on the number of European

nationals resident in the UK who are registered to vote for the 2019 European

Parliamentary elections

Each Electoral Registration Officer maintains a register for their own local area. Some

headline registration statistics by area are collated and published annually by the

Office for National Statistics, however, this does not include a breakdown of the

numbers of EU citizens registered to vote. The total number of UK local government

electors – which includes EU citizens – in the year to December 2018 was 47.8

million

The latest bulletin is available at:

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/elections/electoralregistration.

DEFENCE

Air Force: Training

Andrew Rosindell: [247637]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeframe is of UK aircrew to finish

training to fly the Poseidon MRA Mkl (P-8A).

Stuart Andrew:

The initial cohort of aircrew currently undertaking training for this platform will

complete their training in time for the aircraft's delivery to the RAF in late 2019.



KBR: Contracts

Mr Kevan Jones: [246963]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of

whether the PFI arrangement with KBR to maintain a fleet of 92 heavy equipment

transporters for the British Army will be renewed beyond 2023.

Stuart Andrew:

The current Heavy Equipment Transporter Private Finance Initiative contract expires

in 2024. The requirement for the future transportation of heavy equipment will be

developed prior to the expiry date with an appropriate contractual arrangement

placed accordingly.

Navantia: Procurement


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to prohibit Spanish firm,

Navantia, from bidding for the contract to build Royal Navy support ships.

Stuart Andrew:

The Fleet Solid Support ship competition will be undertaken strictly in accordance

with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, which govern

competitive procurements conducted by the Ministry of Defence.

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Culture: Finance

Scott Mann: [247135]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is

taking to ensure that areas such as North Cornwall get their fair share of Creative

Industries funding after a previous unsuccessful bid.

Margot James:

Government recognises the important role that the creative industries play in driving

local growth and creating new opportunities in places across the UK.

To support the UK’s world-leading cultural and creative businesses, the government

and industry invested £150 million in the Creative Industries Sector Deal.

The Deal announced several proposals including a £20 million ‘Cultural Development

Fund’ (CDF) for cities and towns in England to bid for creative and cultural

investment. As part of the competitive grant application process, the following towns

and cities were successful in their CDF application: Worcester, Wakefield, Thames

Estuary, Plymouth and Grimsby. In addition, a £39m ‘Creative Industries Cluster

Programme’ funding for nine R&D partnerships has been set up across the UK.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport also funds Arms Length Bodies

such as Arts Council England which invest in arts and culture on a regional basis.




According to Arts Council England, National Portfolio Organisations in Cornwall -

many of which are defined as Creative Industries - will receive up to £10 million in

funding between 2018-22. In addition, a further £5.96 million has been invested in

Music Education Hubs and Grants for the Arts between 2013 and 2019

Technology: Bullying

Mr Paul Sweeney: [242936]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what resources his

Department provide to (a) voluntary and (b) statutory support services to help prevent

technology-facilitated abuse.

Margot James:

The Government published the Online Harms White Paper on the 8 April. This sets

out the Government’s plans for world leading laws to make the UK one of the safest

places in the world to be online. These will make companies more responsible for

their users’ safety online, especially children and other vulnerable groups.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Canoeing

Gareth Thomas: [247567]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when (a) he, (b)

Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department last met with

representatives of British Canoeing on access on Inland Waterways; and what

assessment he has made of the potential merits of granting canoeists the same level of

access rights on inland waterways in England as is granted in Scotland.

Dr Thérèse Coffey:

I met British Canoeing to discuss access on inland waterways on 26 November.

Government policy continues to be that access to rivers should be arranged through

voluntary agreements between landowners, canoeists and those wishing to use the

water for recreational purposes.

Countryside: Access


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many square

kilometres of countryside were covered by access arrangements and available to the

public before the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.


The total area covered by access agreements in England before the introduction of

the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 was 4,890 square kilometres.





To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the ability to secure locally agreed access arrangements to facilitate

greater public access to the countryside, before the introduction of the Countryside and

Rights of Way Act 2000.


There has been no recent assessment of this nature, however access agreements

were included as part of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill research paper prior

to the introduction of the Act. The full report can be viewed at:

https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/RP00-31

Due to the length of time which has passed, many documents have been destroyed

in line with standard retention periods and we have no information about other

assessments prior to the introduction of the Act.

Inland Waterways


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to ensure the statutory right of navigation on water in relation to

shared access for recreation.


Access to waterways, including for recreational purposes, remains subject to licence

by the relevant navigation authority, or subject to agreement with the riparian

landowner where there is no navigation authority in place.

EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brexit


To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the view that no

deal is better than a bad deal remains the Government's policy.

James Cleverly:

It is the Government’s position that the Withdrawal Agreement is a good deal for the

UK.

Parliament has voted against no deal three times, and it is clear that there is no

Parliamentary majority for leaving without a deal.

We will continue to prepare for all Brexit scenarios. A bad deal would be one which

did not deliver on the referendum result, or did not allow the UK to take back control

of our laws, money, and borders. The withdrawal agreement achieves all of this,

ensuring a good deal for British businesses and citizens.




FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Climate Change

Mr Nigel Evans: [247594]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic

means the UK has within the Commonwealth to help countries tackle climate change.

Mark Field:

Climate change has long been of concern to the Commonwealth. This concern has

been reflected in Commonwealth statements as early as the Langkawi Declaration on

the Environment in 1989. Under UK chairmanship at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads

of Government Meeting, leaders reaffirmed their commitments under the Paris

Agreement. The Government is now using it's diplomatic network to support

mitigation and adaptation across the Commonwealth. For example:

· In Asia, Malaysia has confirmed its interest in partnering with the UK to develop an

emissions calculator. The calculator is an open source energy and emissions tool

developed by the UK to allow countries to explore and develop strategies to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions.

· In Africa, the UK has provided £500,000 to support the Commonwealth’s Climate

Finance Access Hub based in Mauritius. The Hub will help small and vulnerable

countries access international sources of finance to support adaptation and

mitigation.

· In the Caribbean, the UK is helping four countries – Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, and

St Lucia – to prepare detailed disaster risk profiles to aid efforts to increase their

resilience to natural disaster. This work builds on existing support from the World

Bank and is expected to be extended across the region over the next year.

· In the Pacific, the UK has pledged £1.2 million to support the establishment in Fiji of

a Regional Nationally Determined Contribution Hub. The centre has been established

in partnership with Australia, Germany and New Zealand, to help Pacific Island

Countries implement national climate change policies and frameworks in response to

the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247549]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of preparations for the UK leaving

the EU without a deal.

Sir Alan Duncan:

The Treasury has allocated over £4.2 bn in additional funding to departments and the

Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far. This breaks down as:



• £412m additional funding over the spending review period for the Department for

Exiting the European Union, Department for International Trade and the Foreign

and Commonwealth Office (FCO) at Autumn Statement 2016.

• £286m additional funding for 2017/18 (a full breakdown of which can be found in

Supplementary Estimates 17/18).

• Over £1.5bn of additional funding for 2018/19. A full breakdown of the allocations

can be found in the Chief Secretary's Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, laid

on the 13th March 2018.

• Over £2bn additional funding for 2019/20. A full breakdown of the allocations can

be found in the Chief Secretary's Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS1205, laid on

the 18th December 2018.


reprioritise from business as usual toward preparations for the UK's departure from

the EU. Work on no-deal exit preparations cannot be readily separated from other EU

exit work. The Department is preparing for all eventualities and the resources

available to support preparations are kept under constant review.

The FCO also received £5.6m additional funding in 2018/19 for no-deal civil

contingency planning.

Sri Lanka: Terrorism


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is

taking to support the Sri Lankan security services as a result of the terrorist attack on

Christians on 21 April 2019.

Mark Field:

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on the 23 April to

express her condolences on behalf of the UK and to offer UK expertise and

assistance. We are working closely with Sri Lankan authorities and partners on the

ground, and are discussing with the Sri Lankan government what form of support

would be most helpful and effective.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Aortic Dissection: Diagnosis

Mrs Pauline Latham: [247675]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to

help improve diagnosis of Aortic Dissection.



Seema Kennedy:

NHS England Specialised Commissioning has a published service specification for

cardiac surgery, to support national standards, which include this highly serious

condition.

It is recognised that survival rates for emergency interventions are better when care

is delivered by a surgeon supported by interventional specialists undertaking higher

volumes of these procedures. This point was also highlighted in the Cardiac Surgery

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) 2018 document, and the NHS England

Specialised Cardiac Improvement cardiac surgery work stream is taking forward the

GIRFT recommendations, which will also look at how pathways of care for this and

other specialised cardiac conditions can be improved by better network working

across providers.

Aortic Dissection: Tomography


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of the adequacy of the frequency of CT scanning in relation to aortic dissection; and what

plans he has to increase the speed of access to that service.

Seema Kennedy:

It is recognised the demand for cardiothoracic CT scanning procedures has

increased considerably in recent years, for a number of indications.

The NHS Long Term Plan has identified the need to undertake an assessment of the

capacity and demand for CT, including workforce implications.

Asthma

Jim Shannon: [247702]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) men and (b)

women in each age group have been classified as having asthma in the last five years.

Seema Kennedy:

The information is not held in the format requested.

Cancer: Social Security Benefits

Henry Smith: [246996]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has

had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ensure that the holistic needs of

cancer patients are identified and addressed within the benefits system.

Seema Kennedy:

There are regular discussions with Cabinet ministers on a wide range of subjects.

As described in the NHS Long Term Plan, personalised care and support planning is

being rolled out across the country, based upon the completion of holistic needs

assessment and provision of ongoing support to self-manage their health and




wellbeing. This will help ensure that the patient is signposted or referred to

community support, including information on financial matters, such as benefits, and

psychological support.

Cannabis: Medical Treatments

Tom Brake: [247543]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to ensure that patient and health professional organisations are engaged in the

Department's working group on medicinal cannabis.

Seema Kennedy:

The Department has held a number of engagement events with representatives of

patients and health professionals in relation to this policy.

The Department has also arranged three meetings with stakeholders, ahead of the

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence publishing its guidelines on the

prescribing of cannabis-based products for medicinal use in October 2019. These

meetings are attended by relevant Government departments, public bodies including

advisory committees and professional clinical organisations. The purpose of these

meetings is to make sure work, already commissioned to implement policy on

medicinal cannabis, continues to align in the interim period before the guidelines are

issued.

Cardiovascular System: Diseases

Dr Matthew Offord: [247006]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has

made of trends in the rate of age-standardised cardiovascular disease in England.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England publishes trend data on the under 75 mortality rate from all

CVD as part of the Public Health Outcomes Framework. Between 2015 and 2017,

101,317 people under 75 years died from cardiovascular disease in England, an age-

standardised rate of 72.5 per 100,000 people. Between 2001-03 to 2015-17 the rate

declined every year and overall there was a 47.5% decrease in CVD mortality rate.

These data are available to view at the following link:

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/public-health-outcomes-

framework/data#page/4/gid/1000044/pat/6/par/E12000001/ati/102/are/E06000005/iid/

40401/age/163/sex/4

The age-standardised mortality rates of heart disease and stroke among people

under 75 years have also reduced during 2004-06 to 2015-17, decreasing by 42.7%

and 37.6% respectively. These data are available to view at the following links:

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile-group/cardiovascular-disease-diabetes-kidney-

disease/profile/cardiovascular/data#page/4/gid/1938133108/pat/46/par/E39000018/at

i/152/are/E38000171/iid/91059/age/163/sex/4



https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/public-health-outcomes-framework/data#page/4/gid/1000044/pat/6/par/E12000001/ati/102/are/E06000005/iid/40401/age/163/sex/4%20




https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile-group/cardiovascular-disease-diabetes-kidney-disease/profile/cardiovascular/data#page/4/gid/1938133108/pat/46/par/E39000018/ati/152/are/E38000171/iid/91059/age/163/sex/4




https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile-group/cardiovascular-disease-diabetes-kidney-

disease/profile/cardiovascular/data#page/4/gid/1938133110/pat/46/par/E39000018/at

i/152/are/E38000171/iid/91061/age/163/sex/4

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Greater London


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will allocate additional

funding to support charities providing direct services to people with ME in London.

Seema Kennedy:

Services for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis; including those provided by the

voluntary sector, are commissioned by local clinical commissioning groups. It is the

responsibility of the local National Health Service commissioners to ensure NHS

services are commissioned to meet local need and that they address any shortfalls in

provision.

Dental Health: Health Education


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken

to increase public awareness of gum disease and tooth loss.

Seema Kennedy:

Local authorities are responsible for assessing the oral health needs of their local

population, developing appropriate strategies and commissioning oral health

improvement programmes for both gum disease and tooth loss.

In 2017, Public Health England (PHE) published a ‘Guide to a healthy mouth in

adults’ which provides a summary of the simple steps that can be taken to protect

and improve oral health. In 2018, PHE also published ‘Commissioning Better Oral

Health for Vulnerable Older People’ which supports commissioners in improving the

oral health of vulnerable older people. Finally, in 2019, PHE published ‘Adult Oral

Health- applying All Our Health’, online guidance for healthcare professionals to

improve oral health in adults. This guidance is available at the following links:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/601835/healthy_mouth_adults_quick_guide.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-better-oral-health-for-

vulnerable-older-people

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-oral-health-applying-all-our-health

The National Health Service website also has information on preventing and treating

gum disease. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Gum-disease/







https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/601835/healthy_mouth_adults_quick_guide.pdf



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-better-oral-health-for-vulnerable-older-people







Diabetes: Orthopaedics


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people with diabetes

have had an amputation in each of the last five years.

Seema Kennedy:

NHS Digital data details the count of finished admission episodes (FAEs) with a

primary diagnosis of diabetes and a primary procedure of amputation, for the financial

years between 2013-14 and 2017-18.

FINANCIAL YEAR

2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-

17

2017-

18

FAEs 1,002 1,080 1,222 1,395 1,497

Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Digital

A FAE is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one

healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the

admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a

person may have more than one admission within the period.

Electronic Cigarettes


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government has

made an assessment of the potential merits of changing the maximum nicotine content of

20 mg/ml currently allowed in vaping products in the event that the UK leaves the EU

Tobacco Products Directive.

Seema Kennedy:

No assessment has currently been made.

Food Poisoning: Admissions


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people were

admitted to hospital with food poisoning in each of the last five years.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England does not collect data on hospitalisations due to food

poisoning.

Registered medical practitioners in England and Wales have a statutory duty to notify

their local authority or local Health Protection Team of suspected cases of certain




infectious diseases, including cases of suspected food poisoning. There is no

requirement to provide information on whether cases are hospitalised.

General Practitioners: Oxfordshire

Layla Moran: [247770]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has

had discussions with Cherwell District Council and the Oxfordshire Clinical

Commissioning Group on providing additional GP services for new housing proposed in

the Cherwell Local Plan.

Seema Kennedy:

The National Planning Policy Framework makes it clear that strategic policies should

make sufficient provision for community facilities, such as health, education and

cultural infrastructure.

The National Planning Practice Guidance states that:

- Strategic policy-making authorities should work with public health leads and health

organisations to understand and take account of the current and projected health

status and needs of the local population, including the quality and quantity of, and

accessibility to, healthcare and the effect any planned growth may have on this; and

- the views of the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) and NHS England should

be sought regarding the impact of new development which would have a significant

or cumulatively significant effect on health infrastructure and/or the demand for

healthcare services.

Oxfordshire CCG have advised us they are working with Cherwell District Council

and local practices to understand the population growth in its district council area.

Health Services: Planning

Layla Moran: [247769]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his

Department has had with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

on the provision of local health services, such as GP practices, in planning guidelines for

new housing.

Seema Kennedy:

The two Departments have been working together closely to update national planning

guidance on healthy and safe communities, which is expected to be published

shortly. The Departments will continue to discuss how to best support planning

authorities and health bodies to provide necessary health services through the

planning system.



Heart Diseases


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has

made an assessment of the potential link between the consumption of ready-made meals

and heart disease.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England has advised that it has not made any assessment of the

potential link between the consumption of ready-made meals and heart disease, and

that attributing disease to particular foods would be difficult due to the range of

factors that play a part in causing the development of diet-related diseases.

Heart Diseases: Surgery


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what specialist aortic surgery

facilities there are in the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of

introducing more specialist aortic surgery centres.

Seema Kennedy:

There are currently 28 specialised cardiac surgery centres in England.

NHS England and NHS Improvement has advised that the Specialised Cardiac

Improvement Programme includes a workstream on cardiac surgery, but this and

previous work has not identified the need for additional surgical centres. The aim is to

further develop networked centres to increase access to surgeons who have

developed and can maintain particular expertise in aortic dissection surgery.

HIV Infection: Drugs

Mr Ben Bradshaw: [247575]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12

April 2019 on Question 240941, whether the PrEP Impact Trial website is updated each

day.

Seema Kennedy:

The Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Impact trial website is currently updated every one to

two days to show the recruitment status of each clinic as additional trial places start

to be released and as further information comes in. This website can be viewed at the

following link:

https://www.prepimpacttrial.org.uk/






Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Julian Sturdy: [247023]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to establish programme for the roll-out of the HPV vaccine for boys to ensure parity

of take-up with the girls' HPV programme.

Seema Kennedy:

Preparation to implement the extension of the human papillomavirus (HPV)

vaccination programme to boys is progressing well. NHS England has carried out a

series of assurance surveys to assess the preparedness of the system for the

extension of the HPV vaccination programme to boys, specifically covering the

service provision, delivery, data collection and coverage. The outcome of that

exercise has shown that roll-out is on track for the 2019/20 academic year.

Public Health England is undertaking research with families and parents of young

boys to ensure that we are able to communicate the benefits of the HPV vaccine and

ensure parity with the girls’ programme.

Hypertension: Clinics


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment

of the potential merits of establishing additional specialist blood pressure clinics.

Seema Kennedy:

The number of individuals with resistant hypertension, requiring highly specialist

input, is small and there are specialist clinics across the country.

NHS England and NHS Improvement has advised that the vast majority of people

with hypertension will be satisfactorily managed in primary care, often with support

from hospital specialists across cardiology, renal medicine, and clinical

pharmacology.

Opiates: Prescriptions

Chris Ruane: [246939]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will place in the library a

copy of the definition his Department uses for the term discontinuation syndrome in

relation to opioid prescriptions as used by Public Health England.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England (PHE) has not used the term ‘discontinuation syndrome’ to

refer to opioid dependence. The term was used in the early stages of the Prescribed

Medicines Review in relation to antidepressant medication as that was the only term

recognised by some stakeholders at the time the review started.

PHE’s final report on the review will clarify the use of the term. This is due to be

published in summer 2019.




Orkambi

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [247136]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department

has made of the value of packs of Orkambi that have been disposed of while negotiations

between NHS England and Vertex Pharmaceuticals are ongoing.

Seema Kennedy:

The Department has made no such estimate.

Raynaud's Phenomenon


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been

diagnosed with Raynaud syndrome in each of the last five years.

Seema Kennedy:

The information is not available in the requested format.

Riluzole

Mrs Madeleine Moon: [246969]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

increase the supply of Rilutek for people with motor neurone disease, and if he will make

a statement.

Seema Kennedy:

The Department fully understands that maintaining access to Riluzole (Rilutek) for the

management of motor neurone disease is vitally important to many people in this

country. We are aware that there was a supply issue with Riluzole earlier this year

which resulted in limited supplies during February and early March, and worked

closely with suppliers to manage this.

Supplies of Riluzole 50 milligram tablets are currently available in volumes that are

sufficient to meet normal United Kingdom demand. The Department continues to

work very closely with all the manufacturers of Riluzole 50 milligram tablets and can

confirm that the supply situation continues to improve with further deliveries expected

over the coming months. All patients who require Riluzole 50 milligram tablets should

be able to obtain a supply from their pharmacy.

We continue to work closely with industry and partners in the health system to help

prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when supply

issues do arise.




Sapropterin


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the National Institute for

Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plans to conclude its technology appraisal for the

National Health Service on the use of Kuvan for the treatment of phenylketonuria.

Seema Kennedy:

The appropriate assessment route for Kuvan (sapropterin) for the treatment of

phenylketonuria has recently been reconsidered through the National Institute for

Health and Care Excellence (NICE) topic selection process to take into account

additional evidence presented by the company and other stakeholders, during which

time NICE’s appraisal of Kuvan was paused. That process has now concluded and

the topic selection decision making group has determined that Kuvan should continue

to be assessed through the technology appraisal process. NICE will now schedule

the topic back into the work programme as quickly as possible to allow for

development of guidance without additional undue delay.

Urinary Tract Infections: Screening

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [247141]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10

April 2019 to Question 243537, Urinary Tract Infections: Screening and with reference to

the four items of correspondence cited in the Answer, what assessment he has made of

the effectiveness of NHS UTI screening tests in detecting bacteria in the bladder's lining.

Seema Kennedy:

In January 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

published a revised Clinical Knowledge Summary ‘Urinary tract infection (lower) –

women’. The Clinical Knowledge Summaries provide an overview of the process and

evidence considered in developing the documents.

Vaccination: Children


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

increase the take-up of vaccinations for children.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England, in partnership with NHS England and the Department, is

undertaking a range of actions to improve vaccination coverage for children of all

ages in England. This includes initiatives to improve access to the immunisation

programme; communication with the public; data to better identify underserved

individuals and populations; and training for healthcare professionals.




Vaccination: Disinformation


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle

misinformation in anti-vaccine literature.

Seema Kennedy:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for

Mental Health, Inequalities and Suicide Prevention (Jackie Doyle-Price MP) gave on

26 March 2019 to Question 233488.

HOME OFFICE

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Henry Smith: [246993]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made

of the merits of the industry campaign One Too Many to educate passengers about the

dangers of disruptive behaviour at airports.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government welcomes the One Too Many campaign for the contribution it

makes in raising public awareness of a zero-tolerance approach to passengers who

get drunk and act in a disruptive way.

The participation of many airports, airline and airside licensed premises in the One

Too Many campaign is positive. It forms part of wider efforts by the aviation industry,

such as a Code of Practice on Drunk and Disorderly Passengers and improved staff

training, to tackle this rare but unacceptable behaviour.

Prompted by concerns about such behaviour, the Government published a Call for

Evidence on airside alcohol licensing at international airports in England and Wales

last November. Our response will be published shortly.

Counter-terrorism: Students


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion

of Prevent nominals are university students.



of Prevent nominals are school children.



of Prevent nominals are from the Borough of Havering.






Mr Ben Wallace:

During the year 2017/18, 2,426 Prevent referrals were received from the education

sector. This constituted 33% of the total number of referrals during that year. The

Home Office does not hold data pertaining to the proportion of the total that were

university students or school children

Furthermore, this figure is likely to comprise referrals relating to groups other than

university students and school children, as referrals originating from the education

sector could include any individual in contact with respective institutions

During the year 2017/18, 809 Prevent referrals were received from Local Authorities.

This constituted 11% of the total number of referrals during that year. Due to small

numbers and the resulting risk of personal identification, we do not provide

breakdowns of Prevent referral data by local authority area.

Further information can be found in the publication: Individuals referred to and

supported through the Prevent Programme, April 2017 to March 2018 at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/763254/individuals-referred-supported-prevent-programme-apr2017-

mar2018-hosb3118.pdf

Criminal Investigation


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure

that the police investigate all reported crime.

Mr Nick Hurd:

We expect the police to take all reports of crime seriously and to investigate where

appropriate. It is the responsibility of Chief Constables and Police and Crime

Commissioners to make sure criminal cases are investigated properly

Funding to the police in 2019/20 is increasing by over £1 billion in 2019/20, including

council tax, extra funding for pensions costs, and £100 million funding to tackle

serious violence.

Domestic Abuse: Victim Support Schemes


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking with

Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the voluntary sector has the required information to

signpost people who may be showing signs of domestic abuse to find appropriate

assistance.

Victoria Atkins:

On March 7 the Government published a refreshed Cross-Government Violence

Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy providing an update on existing actions,

and outlining additional actions to ensure that all Government departments are

tackling VAWG. The refresh includes the wealth of insights gained from the domestic

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/763254/individuals-referred-supported-prevent-programme-apr2017-mar2018-hosb3118.pdf






abuse consultation to ensure that all aspects of domestic abuse are considered

across departments. The domestic abuse consultation response committed to review

our communications activity to ensure that we are providing relevant information to

the public outlining clearly what domestic abuse is, and what options they have if they

are a victim or are concerned about someone else who is a victim.

Over this spending review period we are providing £100 million of dedicated funding,

including a £17 million VAWG Service Transformation Fund to 41 projects across

England and Wales that support local areas to work collaboratively with specialist

third sector organisations and develop best practice on early intervention and

prevention, not just crisis response.

Home Office: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247547]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate he has

made of the cost to his Department of preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a

deal.

Victoria Atkins:


the Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far. This breaks down as: •

£412m of additional funding over the spending review period for the Depart-ment for


Commonwealth Office at Autumn Statement 2016

• £286m of additional funding for 17/18 (a full breakdown of which can be found in

Supplementary Estimates 17/18).


/PU2137_Supplementary_estimates_web.pdf

• Over £1.5bn of additional funding for 18/19. A full breakdown of the allocations can

be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, laid on

the 13th March 2018. https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-

questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-03-13/HCWS540/

• Over £2bn of additional funding for 19/20. A full breakdown of the allocations can be

found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS1205, laid on the

18th December 2018. https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-

questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-12-18/HCWS1205/



the EU.














The Department also received £5.45m of additional funding in 2018/19, for no-deal

civil contingency planning.

Knives: Crime

Hywel Williams: [247604]


of the potential merits of banning the sale of pointed knives as a means of reducing knife

crime.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government recognises the devastating impact that knife crime has on victims,

their families and the communities in which they live. We know that knife crime is

committed by criminals carrying a wide range of different knives. This is why the law

does not generally differentiate between knives, for example in relation to age

controls or possession offences.

The Government needs to strike the right balance between allowing access to knives,

for instance as tools, with the need to protect the public from dangerous weapons. It

is unclear whether knives with rounded tips would necessarily cause less harm if

used as weapons. We believe the controls we have in place, which will be

strengthened by the Offensive Weapons Bill, support this.

Tulip Siddiq: [247745]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has asked the Prime

Minister to convene a COBRA meeting in response to the increase in knife attacks in the

UK in the last 12 months.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government does not intend to convene a COBRA meeting at this time to

discuss knife crime. The Prime Minister hosted a Serious Youth Violence Summit at

10 Downing Street on 1 to 4 April, at which she brought together victims’

representatives, young people, community leaders, charities, faith leaders,

businesses, police, health professionals, Ministers and others to focus on what more

can be done.

The new Taskforce will be chaired by the Prime Minister, supported by a new,

dedicated, serious violence team in the Cabinet Office, to support cross-departmental

action on serious violence. This will ensure that there is a clear focus right across

Government, and the necessary coordination across Departments, to ensure that

everything possible is being done to tackle knife crime and serious violence.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will hold discussions with

representatives of (a) Operation Shutdown, (b) bereaved family members, (c) grassroots

and other youth and community groups and (d) other stakeholders on the Government's

public health approach to tackling the increase in knife crime.




Victoria Atkins:

The Home Secretary and Ministers regularly meet families, victims and a range of

other stakeholders to discuss issues around knife crime and serious violence.

Tackling serious violence is a top priority for the Government and it is clear we must

continue to step up the response to stop this violence. The Serious Violence Strategy

sets out the Government’s approach, which depends on a multi-agency ‘public health’

approach across several sectors and stresses the importance of early intervention to

tackle the root causes. We have also taken a number of steps towards introducing a

multi-agency ‘public health’ approach to knife crime and serious violence.

On 1 April we launched a public consultation on a new legal duty to support a ‘public

health’ multi-agency approach to preventing and tackling serious violence. This

statutory duty would make serious violence a top priority for all key partners, ensuring

that they are working together to prevent young people being caught in the criminal

cycle. The consultation, which closes on 28 May, can be found on the Gov.UK

website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=home-

office&publication_filter_option=consultations

On 13 March the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a further £100 million

funding in 2019/20 to help in the police’s immediate response to the rise in serious

knife crime, enabling priority forces to immediately begin planning to put in place the

additional capacity they need. £35m of this Serious Violence Fund will support the

setting up of Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) in areas most affected by knife crime.

The VRUs will be similar to the Glasgow model, bringing together a range of

agencies including health, education, social services and others, to develop a multi-

agency approach in preventing serious violence altogether.

In October 2018 the Home Secretary announced a ten-year £200m Youth

Endowment Fund, focused on targeted early intervention with those children and

young people most vulnerable to involvement in serious violence. This will form an

important part of the multi-agency, public health; approach to serious violence.

On 1 to 4 April 2019 the Prime Minister hosted a Serious Youth Violence Summit at

10 Downing Street, with the support of the Home Secretary and Secretaries of State.

The central aim of the summit was to ensure a shared understanding and

commitment to a multi-agency, ‘public health’ approach to tackling knife crime and

serious violence more generally. An outcome of the Summit is the creation of a new

Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Prime Minister, to drive cross-government

action. This will be supported by a new, dedicated, serious violence team in the

Cabinet Office to support cross-departmental coordination.

Knives: Sales



of the level of availability of knives on social media shopping apps.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=home-office&publication_filter_option=consultations




Victoria Atkins:

The Government recognises that the online purchase of goods and services can take

different forms, and that social media shopping apps may be one of the methods for

obtaining items, including knives. This is why the law relating to the sale of knives to

under 18s applies equally to in-store and online purchases. In addition, through the

Offensive Weapons Bill, currently awaiting Royal Assent, we will stop knives being

sent to residential addresses after they are bought online, unless the seller has

arrangements in place with the delivery company to ensure that the product will not

be delivered into the hands of a person under 18. This will help to ensure that

purchasers cannot circumvent the existing law by buying knives online.

We have also agreed a set of commitments with major retailers to prevent the

underage sales of knives more generally in their stores and online. The agreement

also covers staff training and displays and packaging. Tesco, eBay UK, Lidl UK,

Amazon UK, Wilko, Argos, Asda, Poundland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis and

Waitrose have all signed up to the principles. They have since been joined by Boots,

the Co-op, B&Q, Aldi, TKMaxx and Debenhams. We are working with retailers to

strengthen the agreement in relation to displays and that work is continuing.

Following on from this, Asda have announced that they will stop selling single knives

in its stores by the end of April, a move supported by the Government.

In addition, on 17 June 2018 the Home Secretary announced funding of £1.4m to

support a new national police capability to tackle gang related activity on social

media. The hub will be fully operational by the end of May 2019.

Nuisance: Enforcement


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance his Department

has issued to police forces on the enforcement of the offence of public nuisance.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Home Office has not issued guidance to the police in relation to the enforcement

of the offence of public nuisance.

Offences against Children


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department has

taken to improve co-ordination with the Metropolitan Police in tackling the (a) trafficking,

(b) grooming and (c) abuse of children.

Mr Nick Hurd:

Police, including the Metropolitan Police Service, are operationally independent of

Government. We work with law enforcement agencies to better understand the

challenges they face and, where appropriate, to help strengthen their response to the

abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children.



In 2016 the Home Secretary commissioned HMICFRS to produce quarterly reports,

monitoring the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) progress in improving its

protection of young people from harm and abuse. The quarterly Child Protection

Inspections took place between 2017-2018. Following this programme, the

Inspectorate continues to provide ongoing learning support to the MPS and will revisit

the force to assess progress.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission: Public Appointments


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the

selection process will be for the new chairman of Building Better, Building Beautiful

commission.

Kit Malthouse:

The Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission is an independent body that will

advise Government on how to promote and increase the use of high-quality design

for new-build homes and neighbourhoods. In the light of the recent decision to

discontinue the role of Sir Roger Scruton as Chair of the Commission, the Secretary

of State will be selecting and announcing a new Chair in due course. In the

meantime, the work of the Commission will continue with the aim of producing an

interim report to the Secretary of State in July and final report in December.

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: [248690]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

expanding polyurethane foam is defined as filler material under his Department's

guidance (a) paragraph 12.7 of Fire safety: Approved Document B2, published in 2006,

2010, and 2013 and (b) paragraph 12.6 of Approved Document B2, published in 2018.

Kit Malthouse:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: Expanding polyurethane foam is used for a wide

variety of purposes. The application of the guidance in paragraphs 12.6 and/or 12.7

of the approved document to the use of expanding polyurethane foam would need to

be considered on a case by case basis. These products are commonly used as a

joint sealant and as such would not be covered by paragraphs 12.6 or 12.7, but there

may be other circumstances, such as being used as a void filler between two layers

of construction in an external wall, where paragraph 12.7 would apply. The guidance

in approved documents should be considered in full and in the context to the

requirements of the regulations themselves.



Mr Steve Reed: [248691]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant

to the Answer of 24 April 2019 to Question 244108 on Buildings: Insulation, whether his

Department published documentation outlining the definition of the term filler prior to June

2017.

Kit Malthouse:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: No.

Housing: Construction

Paul Farrelly: [248601]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

plans his Department has to encourage more environmentally conscious house-building

that takes into account established trees and local bird populations.

Kit Malthouse:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: Our revised National Planning Policy Framework,

published in July 2018, asks local authorities to support development whose primary

objective is to conserve or enhance biodiversity. Opportunities to incorporate

biodiversity improvements in and around developments should also be encouraged,

especially where this can secure measurable net gains for biodiversity. These gains

could include the safeguarding of established trees or bird populations, access to

new green space, and provision of green infrastructure such as swift bricks or

hedgehog highways. The government will use the forthcoming Environment Bill to

mandate biodiversity net gain for development in England ensuring that the delivery

of much-needed infrastructure and housing is not at the expense of vital biodiversity.

Leasehold

Jonathan Reynolds: [247698]


progress he has made on proposals to (a) protect and (b) improve the rights of

leaseholders in England and Wales.

Mrs Heather Wheeler:

The Government is committed to reforming the leasehold system to ensure fairness

and transparency for leaseholders. Last year, we consulted on implementing the ban

on new leasehold houses and restricting ground rents on future leases to zero

financial value, and will provide a government response in due course.

We are working with the Law Commission, who are taking forward a programme of

work and recently consulted on:

• making buying a freehold or extending a lease easier, quicker and more cost

effective;

• reinvigorating commonhold, so that it is a viable alternative to leasehold; and




• making it easier for leaseholders to exercise the Right to Manage, and take control

of their blocks.

The Law Commission are now analysing responses and will report back to the

Government with recommendations later this year.

In addition, the Government has established a working group chaired by Lord Best to

raise standards across the property management sector. This group will consider the

transparency of service charges, and how they should be presented to consumers,

and the best means for challenging unjustified fees. The group is instructed to report

back in 2019 and the Government will consider its recommendations. We are also

ensuring all landlord freeholders belong to a redress scheme and giving freeholders

on private or mixed use estates equivalent rights to leaseholders to challenge

communal costs.

The Government recently announced an industry led Pledge so that leaseholders

with 10 or 15 year doubling ground rents can have their lease terms amended

voluntarily. We have also said that we will be clamping down on unjustified legal

costs for leaseholders, we will implement the majority of the Law Commission's

recommendations on 'event fees' in the retirement sector.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247551]


recent estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of preparations for the UK

leaving the EU without a deal.

Jake Berry:


the Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far. This breaks down as:

• £412 million of additional funding over the spending review period for the

Department for Exiting the European Union, Department for International Trade

and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office at Autumn Statement 2016.

• £286 million of additional funding for 17/18 (a full breakdown of which can be found

in Supplementary Estimates 17/18). (


38/PU2137_Supplementary_estimates_web.pdf )

• Over £1.5 billion of additional funding for 18/19. A full breakdown of the allocations

can be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, laid

on 13 March 2018. ( https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-

questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-03-

13/HCWS540/ ).

• Over £2 billion of additional funding for 19/20. A full breakdown of the allocations

can be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS1205,

laid on 18 December 2018. (









https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-

statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-12-18/HCWS1205/ )



the EU.




Multiple Occupation: Greater London


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how

many registered houses of mulitple occupancy there are in (a) the Borough of Havering

and (b) London.

Mrs Heather Wheeler:

We estimate from local authority data returns for the period 2017-18, that there were

29 properties registered as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with mandatory

licences in the Borough of Havering, and in London we estimate there are 163,024.

Since these figures were published the Government has extended mandatory

licensing of HMOs to properties of any size, given 5 or more people from 2 or more

households. Data on properties licensed since the extension will not be available until

local authority data returns for 2018-19 are published in 2020.

Smallholdings

Dr David Drew: [248573]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how

many local authorities have sold off (a) all and (b) more than 50 per cent of council

smallholdings since 1997.

Kit Malthouse:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: This information is not held centrally.

Tree Preservation Orders

Vernon Coaker: [248587]


assessment he has made of the effectiveness of tree preservation orders; and if he will

make a statement.

Kit Malthouse:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: Tree Preservation Orders are issued and enforced by

local authorities, who have responsibility for ensuring trees of amenity value are

protected for their community's enjoyment. The Government strongly believes in

protecting our natural environment, which is why we increased protection for Ancient







and Veteran trees in the National Planning Policy Framework in 2018, and are the

first Government to commit to leaving the natural environment in a better state then

we inherited it.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Overseas Trade: Sustainable Development

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [248756]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps the Government has put

in place to ensure trade policy is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

George Hollingbery:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: The UK has long supported the promotion of our

values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU. We want to ensure

economic growth and development go hand in hand. We are exploring all options in

the design of future trade and investment agreements including sustainable

development provisions within these taking into account responses to the

government consultation.

An aspiration in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is tariff-free access

for Least Developed Countries trading into developed country markets which we have

cemented in UK legislation through the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act 2018.

It also remains our priority to replicate the effects of the EU’s Economic Partnership

Agreements (EPAs) with developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific

(ACP) as the UK exits the EU. The UK has signed EPAs with Eastern and Southern

Africa States, Pacific States and CARIFORUM States.

JUSTICE

Community Orders

Philip Davies: [246973]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to introduce tougher

community sentences.

Lucy Frazer:

The sentencing framework already gives courts the flexibility to select community

order requirements which are a robust alternative to custody, and are tailored to

address the specific issues that contribute to reoffending. Community sentences, in

certain circumstances, are more effective in reducing reoffending, and therefore

keeping the public safe. We must ensure the public and judiciary have confidence in

effective community orders, including those which address offenders’ behaviour,

answer their mental health and substance misuse needs and provide reparation for

the benefit of the wider community.



We are rolling out GPS enabled location monitoring in addition to the existing curfew

monitoring technology, which will provide the courts with an additional option when

imposing community sentences.

Some requirements aim to reduce reoffending by addressing the issues that

contribute to the underlying causes of offending. We are working with the Department

of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England, in addition to

the relevant local authorities, on protocol to support the greater use of community

sentences with treatment requirements in courts in five testbed sites across the UK.

The Community Sentence Treatment Requirement protocol sets out what is expected

from all relevant agencies to ensure improved access to treatment for offenders who

need it

We are taking action to improve probation delivery and enforcement of community

requirements. We recently consulted on a range of reforms to probation and we will

set out detailed plans shortly. As part of those reforms we want to make sure that

judges and magistrates get the right information on what probation services are

available locally.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2019 to

Questions 230698-230707 and 231412-231416 on prison sentences, how many

community orders each of those offenders had previously been given before being sent

to prison.

Lucy Frazer:

The Answer of 19 March 2019 to Questions 230698-230707 and 231412-231416 was

on the highest number of previous offences committed, for different offence items,

before being given an immediate custodial sentence in each of the last three years.

Pursuant to this, the answer regarding how many community orders each of those

offenders had previously been given before being sent to prison can be found in the

table attached. As benefit fraud offences are not prosecuted by the police, it is not

possible to answer Question 230707.

Sentencing is a matter for our independent courts, who take into account all

circumstances of the case, including any aggravating and mitigating factors. We are

clear that sentencing must match the severity of a crime.

However, sentences should also rehabilitate. There is persuasive evidence showing

community sentences, in certain circumstances, are more effective than short

custodial sentences in reducing reoffending. The MoJ study ‘The impact of short

custodial sentences, community orders and suspended sentence orders on re-

offending’ published in 2015 involved around 350,000 sentencing occasions over 4

years and used 130 different variables to construct matched groups of offenders and

examine the effect of short sentences relative to community sentences. This study

found a reduction of around 3 percentage points in proven reoffences if offenders

receiving sentences of less than 12 months were to get a community order instead.


This is statistically significant and equates to around 30,000 proven reoffences in total

over a one-year period. This means fewer victims of crime.

Unless we tackle the underlying causes of offending, we cannot protect the public

from being victims of crime. Effective community orders can address offenders’

behaviour, answer their mental health and alcohol or drug misuse needs, and provide

reparation for the benefit of the wider community.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of 20190426 - PQ246975 - Response Table.xlsx]


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the

effectiveness of steps taken to tackle breaches and non-compliance of community orders.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to ensure offenders

who breach their community orders are returned to court to face breach proceedings.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what testing his Department does to ensure that

systems to deal with breaches of community orders are working correctly.

Lucy Frazer:

Protection of the public is our key priority. This includes taking effective action to

ensure that court orders are properly enforced. In the event of two unreasonable

failures to comply with the requirements of a community order or suspended

sentence order, Probation Instruction 06/2014 (Enforcement of Community Orders

and Suspended Sentence Orders) requires both the National Probation Service and

the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) to return the offender to court.

Where offenders are not complying with their sentences, probation providers must

take swift and robust action, with offenders returned to court for breach proceedings

where appropriate.

We have robust systems in place to manage the effectiveness of our enforcement

practices. NPS managers are required to monitor the timely enforcement of cases

and to take appropriate action when necessary. Our contract management team

closely monitors CRCs to make sure they fulfil their contractual commitments to

maintain service delivery, reduce re-offending, protect the public and provide value

for money to taxpayers. This includes enforcing orders where offenders fail to

comply. Our internal assurance mechanisms are reviewed regularly to ensure there is

adequate oversight of probation performance.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of offenders

who were given a community order in each of the last three years breached their order

and (a) the order was allowed to continue, (b) were re-sentenced to immediate custody,





(c) were re-sentenced to a suspended sentence and (d) were re-sentenced to a different

disposal.

Lucy Frazer:

The number and proportion of offenders who were given a community order in each

of the last three years who breached their order and (a) the order was allowed to

continue, (b) were re-sentenced to immediate custody, (c) were re-sentenced to a

suspended sentence and (d) were re-sentenced to a new community order can be

found in the table attached.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of PQ 246978 response table Breach.xlsx]

Criminal Injuries Compensation


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department has taken to

implement Baroness Newlove's recommendations for the overhaul of Criminal Injuries

Compensation Law.

Lucy Frazer:

We welcome the Victims’ Commissioner’s review which provided important insight

into the experiences and difficulties faced by victims when applying for compensation.

We will be carefully considering the findings and recommendations within her report

(Compensation without re-traumatisation), as part of the review of the Criminal

Injuries Compensation Scheme. As previously stated, we will launch a public

consultation on the proposals later this year.

Criminal Proceedings

Nigel Dodds: [246949]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether an impact assessment was carried out

in respect of the removal of the preliminary inquiry stage of court proceedings in serious

crime cases in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Lucy Frazer:

Section 6(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 originally contained provisions which

obliged a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices to commit

a defendant charged with an indictable offence to the Crown Court for trial, if, after

consideration of the evidence (including oral evidence), it was of the opinion that

there was sufficient evidence to put the defendant on trial by jury. If the court was not

of that opinion (and the defendant was in custody for no other reason than that

offence), it was obliged to discharge the defendant. Pursuant to a recommendation

from the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice in 1993, the Criminal Procedure and

Investigations Act 1996 amended the committal provisions (with effect from March

1997) to exclude the possibility of oral evidence. The effect was therefore that

magistrates' courts could consider only documentary evidence tendered by the

prosecution when determining whether there the defendant should be committed for



trial. The resulting paper-based committal proceedings were subsequently replaced

by the present procedure in May 2013 when section 6 was repealed, with the result

that there is no preliminary examination of the evidence in the magistrates’ court and

cases are sent to the Crown Court when it appears to the magistrates’ court that the

case is more suitable to be tried there. There was no impact assessment.

Knives: Crime


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will conduct a review of the existing

protections for victims of serious violent crime which specifically consults those affected

or bereaved by knife crime attacks.

Lucy Frazer:

Serious violence devastates families and communities and we are taking action on a

number of fronts to tackle it.

With regard specifically to victims we are reviewing the Victims’ Code, including the

enhanced entitlements in the Code for victims of the most serious violence and

bereaved family members, and we will consult on the proposals shortly.

However, we recognise more needs to be done. That’s why the Prime Minister

hosted a Serious Youth Violence Summit last month. Following the Summit, the

Justice Secretary announced:

• that the emotional, practical and specialist support of the Ministry of Justice funded

national Homicide Service would be available to witnesses of murder and

manslaughter in London from 4 April and be considered for wider roll out;

• the review of the Victims’ Code will include making it clearer that those

psychologically affected after witnessing acts of serious violence are entitled to

support just as are physical victims; and

• a pilot programme will introduce staff training and guidance in young offender

institutions to help identify children in custody who may have been victims of crime

and allow for referral to support in custody and the community to help them cope

and recover.

Legal Aid Scheme


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of trends in the

level of former UK citizens that are able to access to the Legal Aid Scheme.

Lucy Frazer:

The Legal Aid Agency does not record the citizenship of legal aid applicants, and as

such we cannot comment on trends relating to the access to legal aid by former UK

citizens.



Prison Officers

Imran Hussain: [247088]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many officers in bands three to five in each

prison operated by HMPPS have less than three years' experience.

Lucy Frazer:

The number of HMPPS band 3-5 prison officers in post, as at 31 December 2018,

with less than three years’ experience in each prison can be found in the

accompanying excel table.

We commend our hard-working prison officers who do a vital job in protecting the

public every day, often in challenging and difficult circumstances.

We want prison officers to stay and progress their careers. We’ve improved induction

processes to ease transition into the job, provide care and support for our staff and

offer additional training. These measures are part of the work we are doing directly

with Governors to address local issues and ensure experienced staff and new

recruits remain in the service.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of Copy of PQ 247088_final table.xlsx]


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many officers in bands three to five in each

prison operated by HMPPS have three or more years' experience.

Lucy Frazer:

The number of HMPPS band 3-5 prison officers in post, as at 31 December 2018,

with three or more years’ experience in each prison can be found in the

accompanying excel table.

We commend our hard-working prison officers who do a vital job in protecting the

public every day, often in challenging and difficult circumstances.

We want prison officers to stay and progress their careers. We’ve improved induction

processes to ease transition into the job, provide care and support for our staff and

offer additional training. These measures are part of the work we are doing directly

with Governors to address local issues and ensure experienced staff and new

recruits remain in the service.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of Copy of PQ 247089_final table.xlsx]

Prison Officers: Resignations


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many band three to five prison officers with

three or more years’ experience left the prison service by each prison in each quarter

from 2010 to 2018.




Lucy Frazer:

The number of band 3-5 prison officers who left the prison service with less than

three years’ experience, by prison, can be found in the accompanying excel table.

We want prison officers to stay and progress their careers. We are working hard to

retain staff, including by giving them the biggest pay award in a decade last year and

by providing additional training. We’ve also improved induction processes to ease

new officers’ transition into the job, and all staff can make use of services including

24/7 counselling, trauma support and occupational health assessments.

These measures are part of the work we are doing directly with Governors to address

local issues and ensure experienced staff and new recruits remain in the service.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of PQ 247722_final table.xlsx]

Prison Officers: Training

Richard Burgon: [247131]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2019 to

Question 236498 on Prison Officers: Training, how many prison officers and prison

custody officers have received the Offender Manager Key Worker skills training in each

(a) publicly and (b) privately operated prison.

Lucy Frazer:

Offender management in custody is a vital part of our work to make prisons safer. It

will develop more rehabilitative prisons to deliver supportive environment for both

prisoners and staff.

Since March 2017, we have offered 13,260 training places for Offender Manager Key

Worker Skills to the closed male estate, of which 9,361 places have been taken.

Of the 78 prisons in the closed male estate, we have completed our planned training

dates into 66 prisons and the remaining 12 are ongoing. In addition, we have offered

additional dates to the establishments which have finished their bulk of training but

have staff returning from long-term sick or maternity leave.

In our privately managed prisons, 1,296 prison custody officers have completed the

offender Manager Key Worker skills training.

The women’s estate has only recently introduced key worker role and this data is not

yet held centrally.

Richard Burgon: [247132]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2019 to

Question 236498 on Prison Officers: Training, how many e-learning completions there

have been in (a) core concepts and key skills, (b) risk assessment, planning and

management, (c) child safeguarding and domestic abuse, and (d) adult safeguarding.



Lucy Frazer:

As previously stated in Parliamentary Question 236498, there is an extensive training

programme for Prison Offender Managers which is a blended delivery approach of

workbooks, e-learning and face to face learning.

Since April 2017 the total number of e-learning completed alongside face to face

training on the below topics are as follows:

• Child safeguarding and domestic abuse – 2661

• Adult safeguarding – 2686

The below two topics are not delivered by e-learning, these are delivered face to face

including a workbook:

• Core concepts and key skills

• Risk assessment, planning and management

Sexual Offences

Robert Halfon: [247665]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to

encourage victims of attempted rape to report that crime to the police.

Lucy Frazer:

Victims of sexual violence and abuse show immense bravery in coming forward, and

we want them to have the confidence to report incidents knowing they will get the

support they need and that everything will be done to bring offenders to justice.

That is why we have nearly doubled funding for victim support services since 2013,

as well as increasing the funding available to specialist rape and sexual abuse

services by 10% - up to £24m over the next three years – to help provide advice,

support and counselling to victims of these appalling crimes.

We are also taking action through the Government’s Violence Against Women and

Girls Strategy, backed by £100 million of funding, to support victims and prevent

these crimes from happening in the first place. As part of this work we will undertake

a review of the criminal justice system’s response to rape and sexual offences to

ensure we support survivors through every stage of this process.

Sexual Offences: Victim Support Schemes

Robert Halfon: [247666]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support is available to victims of attempted

rape during the process of bringing their case to the police.

Lucy Frazer:

In accordance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code), a

person is entitled to support if they have suffered harm, including physical, mental or

emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by a criminal offence.



They are entitled to access victim support services at any time, whether they have

reported a crime or not.

This year, the Government allocated £24m over the next three years to specialist

sexual violence and abuse support services across England and Wales to provide

advice, support and counselling to victims of these appalling crimes to help them

cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of crime. Part of this

funding will go towards Independent Sexual Violence Advisors to provide impartial

advocacy for victims of sexual violence and abuse who have reported to the police or

are considering reporting to the police.

In addition, in the cross-government Victims Strategy, which we published on 10

September 2018, we made a commitment to improve support for victims of crime,

including by increasing the number of Registered Intermediaries, communication

experts helping vulnerable victims and witnesses give their best evidence at police

interview and at court.

Tim Parker


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department made of any

potential conflicts of interest arising from his chairmanship of Post Office Limited.prior to

the appointment of Tim Parker as Chairman of the Board of HM Courts & Tribunals

Service.

Lucy Frazer:

Tim Parker was appointed Chairman of the HMCTS Board in April 2018 following an

open and transparent recruitment process. As required under the terms of the

HMCTS Framework Document, Tim’s appointment was made by the Lord Chancellor,

the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals, following the unanimous

recommendation made by the recruitment panel. All of those involved in the

appointment were aware of the fact that Mr. Parker is also Chairman of the Board of

Post Office Limited, which they concluded did not present any conflict. HMCTS

manages the administration of courts and tribunals; it has no influence on the

outcome of hearings, which are decisions entirely for the independent judiciary.

SCOTLAND

Scotland Office: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247557]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent estimate he has made of the cost

to his Department of preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

David Mundell:

As part of preparations for a successful EU exit, the Office of the Secretary of State

for Scotland has been allocated additional EU exit funding.



The Department holds no estimate of what it has spent on no-deal preparations,

which cannot readily be separated from other EU exit and devolution functions in

general.

TRANSPORT

Bristow Helicopters

Ian Blackford: [248700]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency plans his Department has

implemented in the event that Bristow's Helicopters Ltd is unable to fulfil its obligations on

search and rescue.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Department keeps its contingency plans under continual review should Bristow

Helicopters Ltd be at any time unable to fulfil its contractual obligations.

These plans include comprehensive contractual provisions to step in and take over

the service in the unlikely event that it is required to do so. The detail of these plans is

commercially sensitive.

Department for Transport: Brexit

Tom Brake: [247545]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the

cost to his Department of preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Chris Grayling:

To date, the Department has allocated £74m specifically to ‘no deal’ preparations. As

we further our preparations for EU Exit, we may allocate additional resources for no

deal contingencies.

Driving: Licensing

Mark Menzies: [248652]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to (a) reduce delays

and (b) improve the experience of people requiring a medical review when renewing their

driving licence.

Jesse Norman:

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) makes around 745,000 medical

licensing decisions each year and aims to complete 90 per cent of these within 90

working days. The length of time taken to deal with an application depends on the

medical condition involved and whether information is needed from medical

professionals.

The DVLA has recruited additional staff to process medical applications and

notifications. This includes increasing the number of doctors and introducing nurse

caseworkers to deal with specific conditions. The DVLA is also working with third




parties, for example, GPs, consultants and opticians, to reduce the time taken to

receive the information it requires to make licensing decisions.

The DVLA also provides an online service for customers to notify a medical condition

or renew a driving licence previously issued following a medical condition. The DVLA

continually reviews its processes and has a dedicated team responsible for the

improvement of its medical driver licensing services and communications.

East Midlands Rail Franchise

Andy McDonald: [247080]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Arriva have submitted a compliant

bid for the East Midlands Trains franchise.

Andrew Jones:

Abellio has been awarded the East Midlands Railway franchise as the company

submitted the strongest bid for passengers and taxpayers. Arriva’s bid is a matter for

them.

Gatwick Airport: Motorways

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [248734]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the

President of the Board of Trade on the effect on trade of improving the Reading to

Gatwick Airport road corridor through the building of an M31.

Jesse Norman:

The Department recognises the importance to trade of high-quality and reliable

transport to and from airports, and is considering how to improve connectivity in the

south of England, including the Reading to Gatwick Airport area, through the M25

South West Quadrant strategic study.

Railways: Manufacturing Industries

Alex Cunningham: [247045]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's policy is on the

offshoring of rail manufacturing.

Andrew Jones:

Through the Rail Sector Deal government is working with industry to promote

procurement practices that support an innovative, highly-skilled, and productive

British rail supply chain. Our policy is that to ensure value for money, including for

taxpayers and users of the railway, procurement of goods is undertaken through fair

and open competition.




Rolling Stock: Procurement


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative work his Department has

undertaken in the awarding of rolling stock contracts with different EU countries under the

Utilities Contracts Regulations.

Andrew Jones:

The Department has not undertaken such comparative work as it is a matter for train

operators, in awarding their own rolling stock contracts, to ensure they are compliant

with any applicable procurement requirements.

Where the Government has led procurements of new trains in the past these have

involved comprehensive assessments of available contracting and funding options in

accordance with statutory processes.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how value for money for the taxpayer is

evaluated in the awarding of rolling stock contracts.

Andrew Jones:

Rolling stock procurement is undertaken through fair and open competition, usually

by train operators as part of their franchise commitments. Bids submitted as part of a

franchise competition are subject to value for money analysis as a whole. It is

Government policy to secure benefits for passengers and taxpayers through working

with the private sector.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what statutory powers his Department has to

ensure that rail franchises deliver the greatest benefit to the UK economy, through rolling

stock contracts.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what regulatory powers the Office of Rail and

Road has to ensure that rail franchises deliver the greatest benefit to the UK economy

through rolling stock contracts.

Andrew Jones:


by train operators as part of their franchise commitments. It is a matter for train

operators, in awarding their own rolling stock contracts, to ensure they are compliant

with any applicable procurement legislation. Neither the Department nor the Office of

Rail and Road has statutory or regulatory powers in relation to the procurement

process.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether rolling stock contracts will be

included in the Government’s zero-based capital review to ensure Departmental






procurement and rail franchising delivers the greatest benefit to UK economy and boost

productivity.

Andrew Jones:


via a train operating company as part of their franchise commitments. Rolling stock

contracts are not direct departmental capital spending and we therefore do not expect

them to form part of any zero-based capital review. However, the William’s Rail

Review will consider rail franchising as part of the root and branch review of the

railway to ensure that rail delivers benefits for passengers and taxpayers.

Shipping: Training

Karl Turner: [247012]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the number of UK Cadets (a)

entering and (b) completing training on Tonnage Tax qualifying vessels between 2000-01

and 2018-19.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The table below provides information on the number of new entrant UK resident

cadets from 2003/04 – 2018/19. Figures for 2000/01 – 2002/03 are not provided as

these are not directly comparable with later statistics. The figures for the current

academic year (2018/19) are incomplete as the training year is still ongoing. The

Department does not currently hold data against its Tonnage Tax returns for cadets

who complete their training however will actively explore gathering this information in

the future.

NEW STARTERS

2003/04 621

2004/05 571

2005/06 562

2006/07 658

2007/08 854

2008/09 925

2009/10 702

2010/11 850

2011/12 903

2012/13 776

2013/14 790


NEW STARTERS

2014/15 819

2015/16 752

2016/17 737

2017/18 684

2018/19 incomplete

Karl Turner: [247013]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Ratings were trained on Tonnage

Tax qualifying vessels since 2000-01.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

Prior to 2015, the training of ratings did not contribute to the minimum training

obligation placed on tonnage tax companies. As a result no ratings are recorded as

having been trained on tonnage tax qualifying vessels. The table below shows the

numbers since the minimum training obligation was introduced. The figures for the

current academic year (2018/19) are incomplete as the training year is still ongoing.

RATINGS TRAINED

2015/16 6

2016/17 13

2017/18 31

2018/19 incomplete

The Department has a number of initiatives to promote employment of UK seafarers

at all ranks and across all sectors. For ratings these include SMarT funding, the

training link in UK Tonnage Tax and apprenticeships. The Ratings Taskforce, which

comprised representatives from industry and the unions, was reconvened to look at

promotion of ratings training and employment opportunities. The Taskforce has now

been merged with the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) Futures Group which

will continue this work.


TREASURY

Amazon: Taxation

Mr David Davis: [246928]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the (a) the

revenue of Amazon Web Services in the UK and (b) the tax paid on that revenue in the

last financial year.

Mel Stride:

Ministers are not privy to the tax affairs of individual companies and so do not have

estimates of the total revenue or tax liability Amazon Web Services generate in the

UK. Some of this information may be found Amazon’s published accounts, including

those of UK companies that are available at Companies House.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Lee Rowley: [247766]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the New Computerised Transit System

incorporates an interface with Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems; and if he

will make a statement.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the New Computerised Transit System

incorporates an interface with Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.

Mel Stride:

There is currently no interface between the New Computerised Transit System and

the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.

Customs: Dover Port


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what customs checks are performed at Dover

Port on outgoing freight traffic; what the average time taken for such checks is per

vehicle; what customs checks he plans to carry out in the event that the UK leaves the

EU on 31 October 2019 without an agreement for (a) vehicles with no export

documentation, (b) vehicles which have completed a customs declaration on the New

Computerised Transit System and (c) vehicles operating under the Transports

Internationaux Routiers Treaty and with a customs declaration made on the new transit

system; and if he will make a statement

Mel Stride:

Times for customs checks at Dover will vary depending on the nature of the goods

exported. Currently, customs checks are carried out on non-EU goods only which

makes up a small proportion of Dover exports. Customs clearance is highly

automated and, overall, around 96% of declarations are cleared within 20 seconds.





Border Force is responsible for customs matters at the border, which includes

carrying out customs checks on exported goods and goods in transit. For Dover, the

majority of customs checks are performed at inland sites away from the port, such as

at Stop 24.

The Government has agreed an extension with the EU to the date of EU Exit to the

end of October 2019 at the latest. However, the Government’s priority remains to

leave, with a deal, as soon as possible.

As a responsible Government we have been working to minimise any disruption in

the event of no deal for over 2 years. Due to the extension that has now been agreed,

all departments will review their current plans and make appropriate decisions about

the timing and pace at which some of this work is progressing. We will continue to

prepare for all Brexit scenarios.

Revenue and Customs: Pay

Angela Crawley: [247738]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister

for the Cabinet Office of 24 April 2019, Official Report column 743, what arrangements

the Treasury has negotiated with civil servants employed in HMRC in order to permit

higher wage increases than the proposed 1 per cent to 1.5 per cent pay award.

Mel Stride:

The 2018 Civil Service pay guidance allows departments to submit business cases,

based on improvements to efficiency and productivity, for higher pay. The HMRC

Chief Executive has shared that he is exploring HMRC’s opportunities for doing this

in 2019.

UK Trade with EU

Mr Laurence Robertson: [246918]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total gross amount paid by the UK to

the EU was in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available (a)

including and (b) excluding tariffs collected on goods entering the UK from non-EU

countries.

Mel Stride:

In 2017, the total gross amount paid by the UK to the EU rounds to £13bn. In

accordance with EU regulations, Member States contribute 80% of customs duties

collected on non-EU imports. The UK consequently retains 20% of these duties to

cover the costs of collection. In 2017, the UK contributed £3.2bn in customs duties to

the EU. Therefore, the UK’s gross contribution excluding customs duties to the EU

was £9.8bn.



WORK AND PENSIONS

Business: Asbestos and Carcinogens

Sir Mark Hendrick: [247982]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is

taking with businesses to prevent employee's exposure to (a) asbestos and (b)

carcinogens in the workplace.

Justin Tomlinson:

All businesses must prevent, or if this is not reasonably practicable minimise,

exposure of employees to carcinogens, including asbestos, in the workplace.

Businesses must comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos

Regulations 2012 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

2002, both of which are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE

also produces free guidance to assist businesses to comply with their legal duties:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm & http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/.

HSE also works in partnership with businesses and others to raise awareness of

workplace ill health. For example, occupational lung disease, including that caused

by exposure to carcinogens, is one of three health priorities that form HSE’s Health

and Work strategy to prevent workplace ill health. This work includes the national

campaign ‘Go Home Healthy’ to promote HSE’s commitment to tackling ill health.


Documents

Daily Report Friday, 3 May 2019 CONTENTS · 5/3/2019 · Daily Report Friday, 3 May 2019 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 3 May 2019 and the information