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32412

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2014
	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, what funding will be put in place to support local discretionary welfare provision after 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	182969
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><em>[Holding Reply: Thursday 16 January 2014]</em></p><p>The nationally run Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans were poorly targeted and failed to help those most in need. So, in 2012 as part of wider welfare reform, the Department for Work and Pensions abolished these national discretionary schemes and transferred responsibility to local authorities so they could deliver and tailor new local support as part of their existing services to their communities.</p><p>Councils can continue to provide support to those in their community who face financial difficulties or who find themselves in unavoidable circumstances, but there is no requirement to replicate the previous approach adopted by central government.</p><p>In contrast to a centralised grant system that was poorly targeted, under the Department for Work and Pensions' reforms, councils can now choose how best to support local welfare needs within their areas – what is right for, say, Rochdale may not be for other authorities. Some councils have already chosen to wind down their dedicated schemes following underspends.</p><p>In the next Spending Round period, from April 2015, central government continues to provide support to local authorities through general funds as part of the Coalition Government's commitment to reducing ring-fencing and ending top-down Whitehall control.</p><p>The Department for Work and Pensions provided a separate fund for 2013-2015 and are carrying out a review of the provision to date.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

48430

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept sort name	Deputy Prime Minister
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps he is taking in support of Action 12 of the EU Citizenship Report 2013, com (2013) 269.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	196654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>The issue of voting in domestic elections is a matter for national governments and we do not accept the Commission's view of a European Public Space.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark previous answer version 8078 answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

48764

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2014
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to incentivise the sale of alcohol-free beers and ciders.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	196848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2014 answer text <p><strong>Beers and ciders below 1.2 per cent alcohol by volume are exempt from alcohol duties. </strong></p> answering member constituency Loughborough answering member printed Nicky Morgan question first answered 01/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4027 label Biography information for Baroness Morgan of Cotes
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

49419

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept sort name	Deputy Prime Minister
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether the Government plans to increase the 15 year out-of-country voting limit for British expatriates.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	197545
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p>The Government will keep the 15 year time limit under consideration, but is not minded to change the law at the present time.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

63251

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Bangladesh
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Bangladeshi counterpart on allegations of human rights abuses in that country since January 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	201842
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p>We take human rights very seriously and follow the situation in Bangladesh closely, raising concerns where there are credible allegations. We welcome the Bangladesh government's assurances that they are committed to protecting human rights and recognise the positive progress that has been made across a range of social development indicators.</p><p>However, allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and human rights abuses are deeply concerning. We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Bangladesh government. The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi last raised reports of extrajudicial killings and disappearances with the Bangladesh High Commissioner on 13 May. During Bangladesh's 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council last year we also recommended that the Government of Bangladesh thoroughly and impartially investigate and, if credible evidence emerges, prosecute all allegations of human rights violations.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 26/06/2014 08:50:36 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

63252

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Bangladesh
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the operation and impartiality of the ongoing International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	201843
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p>We are clear that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) must improve the way it operates. We have concerns that the ICT process does not adequately meet international fair trials standards. This is a message that we give consistently, both publicly and privately. We have also made clear that we are opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances in all countries.</p><p>During Bangladesh's 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013, the UK urged the government of Bangladesh to ensure that the International Crimes Tribunal meet international legal standards.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 26/06/2014 08:53:01 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

63253

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Bangladesh
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	201844
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p>We are clear that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) must operate in a manner that meets international fair trials standards. This is a message that we give consistently, both publicly and privately, for example at Bangladesh's 2nd Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013.</p><p>The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the Right Hon. Baroness Warsi raised this at length with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her last visit to Dhaka in December 2013, and also made clear our absolute opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances in all countries.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 26/06/2014 09:02:57 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

63355

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many hours per week prisoners in HM Prison (a) Albany, (b) Ashfield, (c) Ashwell, (d) Askham Grange and (e) Buckley Hall spent in (i) cells and (ii) working in each of the last three years; and what proportion of prisoners in each such prison were classed as unemployed on the most recent date for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	201810
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2014 answer text <p>Up until the end of 2011-12 information was collected on the average hours per weekday that prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures for each prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to 2011-12 have been placed in the library of the House.</p><p> </p><p>It should be noted that time in cell includes hours when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in and out of the cell.</p><p> </p><p>Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged purposefully whilst they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending.</p><p> </p><p>The number of prisoners working in industrial activity across public sector prisons increased from around 8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are available) to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private sector prisons have also been supporting this agenda and have reported that they delivered over 1½ million prisoner working hours in commercial and industrial workshops in 2012-13 which provided work for over 1,200 prisoners.</p><p> </p><p>In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for public sector prisons are published in the NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum:<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours worked is not available centrally for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Information on hours worked during 2013-14 is scheduled for publication on 31 July.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the proportion of prisoners classed as unemployed is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kenilworth and Southam answering member printed Jeremy Wright question first answered 01/07/2014 13:18:59 answering member 1560 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

63832

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Motor Insurance: Competition
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will request that the Office of Fair Trading investigates the level of competition in the car insurance industry.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	202297
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The competition powers of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) passed to the new Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on 1 April 2014. Like the OFT, the CMA is an independent authority, and therefore has complete discretion to investigate those cases, which, according to its prioritisation principles, it considers most appropriate.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In the case of the private motor insurance industry, the CMA is already conducting a market investigation, and on 12 June set out for consultation its proposed changes to the market. These include a cap on the charges to the insurer of an at-fault driver in an accident for the cost of providing a replacement vehicle to the non-fault driver; better information for consumers; and a ban on price parity agreements between price comparison websites and insurers. Further details are available via this link to the CMA press release:<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-sets-out-changes-for-private-motor-insurance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-sets-out-changes-for-private-motor-insurance</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 30/06/2014 15:20:43 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk

78460

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Middle East
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to de-escalate the situation in Gaza.
	tabling member constituency	Rochdale
	tabling member printed	Simon Danczuk
	uin	206289
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) has spoken to Israeli and Palestinian counterparts as well as key international partners about the present crisis in Gaza on numerous occasions in recent weeks, urging an end to violence, a durable ceasefire and successful negotiations in Cairo which lead to a sustainable solution to the current crisis, tackling its underlying causes. He has visited Ramallah, Jerusalem and Cairo for talks and attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 August. He most recently spoke to the Egyptian Foreign Minister about the ceasefire talks on 20 August.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/09/2014 08:09:55 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4059 label Biography information for Simon Danczuk