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40536

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2014
	answering body	Leader of the House of Lords
	answering dept id	92
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Leader of the House what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Ministry of Justice with regard to the 13 questions asked of that department out of the 27 which remained unanswered after 10 working days on 27 February.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jopling
	uin	HL5681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2014 answer text <p>Of the 13 questions to the Ministry of Justice that remained unanswered after 10 working days on 27 February, all but one have now been answered. <br><br>I take the matter of late answers to Questions for Written Answer very seriously. My office reviews the &lsquo;Questions unanswered after 10 working days&rsquo; in <em>House of Lords Business </em>every day. As soon as a question appears in this section of <em>House of Lords Business</em>, my office contacts the relevant department&rsquo;s Parliamentary Team, and they remain in contact with the Parliamentary Team and the Minister&rsquo;s Private Office until the question is answered. <br><br>I have also recently taken the opportunity to discuss the need for timely answers with members of the front bench in this House.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Hill of Oareford question first answered 13/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4144 label Biography information for Lord Hill of Oareford
	tabling member	883 label Biography information for Lord Jopling

41618

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Speaker's Committee for Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
	answering dept id	90
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what procurement process was conducted by IPSA in advance of the decision to engage Matrix Chambers to prepare and advise on High Court action in May 2013 in respect of their case against the hon. Member for Peterborough; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Haltemprice and Howden
	tabling member printed	Mr David Davis
	uin	190702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.</p><p>Letter from Andrew McDonald, March 2013:</p><blockquote><p>As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking about the engagement of Matrix Chambers.</p><p> </p>Counsel from Matrix Chambers were identified as one of IPSA's preferred legal Counsel as part of a tender exercise for legal services in 2010. Accordingly, Counsel from Matrix Chambers were instructed by IPSA's solicitors, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, in connection with the matter in March 2013.</blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Mr Charles Walker question first answered 25/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	373 label Biography information for Sir David Davis

41946

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2014
	answering body	Speaker's Committee for Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
	answering dept id	90
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what criteria the IPSA Contingency Panel used to grant uplifts to hon. Members' staffing expenditure budgets in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.
	tabling member constituency	Colchester
	tabling member printed	Sir Bob Russell
	uin	190930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.</p><p><em>Letter from Andrew McDonald, 3/10/2014 2013:</em></p><blockquote><p>As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking about IPSA's Contingency Panel.</p><p>The rules concerning the Contingency Panel are set out at Paragraph 10.12 of the MPs' Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses.</p><p>They set out that in relation to each application the Contingency Panel will consider:</p><p>a. whether there are exceptional circumstances warranting additional support;</p><p>b. whether the MP could reasonably have been expected to take any action to avoid the circumstances which gave rise to the expenditure or liability; and</p><p>c. whether the MP's performance of parliamentary functions will be significantly impaired by a refusal of the claim.</p><p>Given the significant increase in staffing budgets made in 2012/13, we have not provided contingency funding for MPs' staffing expenditure budgets on the basis of increased casework in 2013/14.</p></blockquote> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Mr Charles Walker question first answered 18/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	35 label Biography information for Sir Bob Russell

41947

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2014
	answering body	Speaker's Committee for Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
	answering dept id	90
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the (a) highest and (b) lowest uplift allocated to hon. Members' staff expenditure budgets was in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14 to date.
	tabling member constituency	Colchester
	tabling member printed	Sir Bob Russell
	uin	190931
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.</p><p><em>Letter from Andrew McDonald, 3/10/2014 2013:</em></p><blockquote><p>As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking about IPSA's Contingency Panel.</p><p>In 2012/13 the highest uplift approved by the Contingency Panel was £13,909 and the lowest was £600.</p><p>In 2013/14 to date, the highest has been £17,900 and the lowest £600.</p><p> </p><p>These figures do not include other uplifts to provide cover for staff on maternity, paternity, adoption and long term sick leave.</p></blockquote><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Mr Charles Walker question first answered 18/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	35 label Biography information for Sir Bob Russell

41377

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, when he was first made aware of the existence of the administrative scheme for on-the-runs.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast North
	tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
	uin	190834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2014 answer text <p>I was first made aware of the existence of the administrative scheme for on-the-runs when in opposition.</p> answering member constituency Beaconsfield answering member printed Mr Dominic Grieve question first answered 26/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 16 label Biography information for Mr Dominic Grieve
	tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

39114

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect library services.
	tabling member constituency	South Staffordshire
	tabling member printed	Gavin Williamson
	uin	188738
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2014 answer text <p>I have been asked to reply.</p><p>Together with other public services, local authorities are rising to the challenge of delivering and developing the library service, with many reviewing and re-shaping their library offer. Some changes have been made in response to the on-going funding environment to which all public services are making their contribution to savings. But many changes have also been made because individual authorities are looking at better ways of delivering a range of services so that they are fit for the present and the future. Details of the various developments in library services in England, including a range of innovative approaches to the task of delivering a comprehensive and efficient service are set out in the annual report to Parliament during 2012/13 and can be accessed at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-under-the-public-libraries-and-museums-act-1964-for-201213" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-under-the-public-libraries-and-museums-act-1964-for-201213</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed Mr Edward Vaizey question first answered 08/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1580 label Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot
	tabling member	4108 label Biography information for Sir Gavin Williamson

37877

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to promote gas safety among leaseholders in local authority-managed properties.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	187486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Department does not provide advice on gas safety specifically for leaseholders in local authority–managed properties. However, the lease of a property will set out the responsibilities of the freeholder and the leaseholder, including responsibility for maintenance of gas appliances.</p><p>In the private rented and social rented sectors, landlords are required by law to: repair and maintain gas pipework, keep flues and appliances in safe condition; ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue; and keep a record of each safety check.</p><p>For the social housing sector, the Homes and Communities Agency ‘Home Standard' says that registered providers must “meet all applicable statutory requirements that provide for the health and safety of the occupants in their homes”. The Homes and Communities Agency has recently issued three ‘serious detriment' notices against Gallions, Your Housing Group and the Guinness Partnership for failing to maintain gas safety and they have all had their Governance ratings downgraded partly based on that.</p><p>The Home Standard is a ‘consumer' standard and therefore applies to all registered providers, including local authorities.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 29/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

41445

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on devolution of Homes and Communities Agency assets to (a) combined authorities and (b) local enterprise partnerships.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne East
	tabling member printed	Mr Nicholas Brown
	uin	190614
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In disposing of its assets the Homes and Communities Agency is guided by value for money principles; disposals are expected to be at market value for land and other assets in order to protect public investment. The Homes and Communities Agency are open to considering proposals for joint working that will promote development, economic activity and growth.</p><p>These assets were bought by the national taxpayer and therefore the receipts are deployed nationally. Receipts are reinvested to help finance other Government housing and regeneration programmes, as well as fund a range of historic legal commitments and liabilities on land inherited by the Homes and Communities Agency from other bodies (including the liabilities left by the former Regional Development Agencies).</p><p>I would add that neither combined authorities or Local Enterprise Partnerships have responsibility for housing; we should avoid ‘function creep' which would dilute their focus and/or centralise and take power away from local councils (both as local housing authorities and as local planning authorities).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	523 label Biography information for Mr Nicholas Brown

41162

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 694W, on polling stations, what assessment he has made of the effect of foreign language translation by local authorities on integration of non-English speakers into their communities.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	190554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In March 2013, my Department published new guidance for local authorities outlining how councils should stop translating into foreign languages. As outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement of 12 March 2013, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 5WS, such translation weakens integration; discourages communities from learning English; undermines rather than strengthens equality goals; harms community relations; and is an expensive waste of taxpayers' money at a time when councils need to be making sensible savings. It is disappointing that councils like Tower Hamlets have disregarded that guidance, and reflects broader issues with the dysfunctional governance and divisive practices of the council.</p><p>I would add that in light of previous instances of electoral fraud, including impersonation in polling stations, postal voting irregularities and allegations of improper influence, Ministers in this Department have concerns about the practice of allowing foreign language translators/interpreters inside polling stations. The privacy of the ballot must be protected and voters inside a polling station should not be subject to any pressure or influence to vote in a particular way. In that context, the integrity of the ballot box and of the local democratic process requires independent and transparent scrutiny in polling stations by polling agents, council staff, the police and, indeed, passing members of the public who are also voting. This is undermined by polling room administration being conducted in foreign languages.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

34375

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many families were placed in temporary accommodation in each London borough in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Tooting
	tabling member printed	Sadiq Khan
	uin	184631
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the rt. hon. Member to Live Table 784 available on my Department's website at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness</a></p><p>The numbers of households in temporary accommodation in London are still well belowthe level they were at their peak, under the previous Administration, when they hit more than 63,800. Councils have a responsibility to move homeless households into settled accommodation as quickly as possible and we made common sense changes to the law to enable them to use suitable private rented homes. Indeed, the average stay in temporary accommodation in England has been reduced from 20 months at the beginning of 2010 to 14 months now.</p><p>We have also seen a 42% reduction in the numbers of families with children in Bed and Breakfast for more than six weeks on this time last year across the country. The seven local authorities that we funded to tackle families in Bed and Breakfast have made significant progress achieving an overall reduction of 96% since the funding began.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 09/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	1577 label Biography information for Sadiq Khan