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672268

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have a target figure for cost savings for the provision of court interpreters under the contract with <i>thebigword</i>; and if so, what is it, and against what baseline it is measured.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4606
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The Ministry is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a range of quality language services that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p> </p><p>All our new language service contracts contain robust performance and charging provisions which are designed to ensure the value for money and affordability of the services provided by the department's suppliers. However, we have not felt it appropriate to set a target figure for cost savings for the provision of court interpreters, which is a demand-led service, given the importance we attach to the provision of such support to those who most need it.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:22:30 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

672269

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the contract with <i>thebigword</i> for court interpreters specifies any particular level or type of qualification which individual interpreters are expected to have.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4607
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The Ministry is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a range of high quality language services that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p> </p><p>Bookings are classified depending on their complexity level, namely: ‘standard’, ‘complex’ and ‘complex written’. These complexity levels were determined by each Commissioning Body.</p><p> </p><p>I can confirm that the contract sets out the minimum level of qualification and experience a language professional is required to have in order to work on each complexity level of booking. Details of these qualifications can be found at: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137</a></p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:23:54 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

672273

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government which company, or companies, are being sub-contracted by <i>thebigword</i> to provide court interpreting services; and whether those companies are subject to quality assurance.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4611
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>To ensure a high and consistent level of fulfilment across all geographical areas and in rare languages, thebigword have partnered with a number of subcontractors, namely: Global Language Services Limited, Cintra Translations Limited, Debonair Languages Ltd, Supreme Linguistic Services Ltd, Mango Spice Language Solutions, J-anne Interpreting and Translation Service Limited, Global Translation Services and Language River.</p><p> </p><p>Thebigword must ensure that its subcontracts contain obligations no less onerous on the sub-contractor than those imposed on them by the Ministry, including those relating to quality and performance standards. Thebigword are also responsible for carrying out audits to ensure subcontractor adherence to the contract service specification.</p><p> </p><p>All language professionals provided by thebigword, whether directly or via subcontractor, will be subject to ongoing quality assurance provided by The Language Shop. This includes a programme of 'spot checks' of interpreters undertaking assignments.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:27:17 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

647057

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2016
	answering body	Leader of the House
	answering dept id	34
	answering dept short name	Leader of the House
	answering dept sort name	Leader of the House
	hansard heading	e-Petitions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Leader of the House, what steps his Department is taking to assess potential changes to the system for e-petitions to ensure petitions submitted have evidential basis.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	55276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2016 answer text <p>The Parliamentary e-petitions site is jointly owned by the Government and the House of Commons, therefore any assessment of potential changes to the system would have to be agreed between the Government and the House.</p><p>I have not had any discussions to assess such changes to the e-petitions system, however the hon. Member may find it reassuring to know that all petitions submitted are moderated by the staff of the Petitions Committee before being published and opened for signing by the public. The Committee staff ensure that all petitions adhere to the agreed standards which are clearly displayed on petition.parliament.uk. The final decision on the admissibility of an e-petition rests with the Petitions Committee itself.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 05/12/2016 14:23:14 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

674901

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2017
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	c2c
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on the legal basis for the proposed sale by National Express of the c2c franchise to Trenitalia; what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) external stakeholders on that proposed sale; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	60543
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2017 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has received a request from National Express Group to give his consent to a Change of Control for them to sell the Essex Thameside franchise to Trenitalia. The Secretary of State’s role is to give or withhold consent to the sale as provided for in the Franchise Agreement. This is at the Secretary of State’s discretion, and is exercised on a case by case basis. General guidance on process can be found on the GOV.UK website: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rail-franchise-change-of-control-policy-statement/rail-franchise-change-of-control-policy-statement" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rail-franchise-change-of-control-policy-statement/rail-franchise-change-of-control-policy-statement</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has not discussed the proposed Change of Control externally.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 25/01/2017 14:18:22 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

672264

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are providing money through child-focused programmes in Zimbabwe to families who do not have any children; and if so, why.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL4602
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2017 answer text <p>DFID is one of a number of donors who funds the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer programme, referred to in the recent ICAI report.</p><p>Of the targeted households under the scheme 83% have children to care for, but those headed by the elderly, the chronically ill or people living with disabilities are also eligible even if they are not caring for children.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 23/01/2017 17:06:10 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

660124

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2016
	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	Zimbabwe: Bank Notes
	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 implications for economic stability in Zimbabwe of the government in that country issuing bank notes in its own currency equivalent to the US dollar.
	tabling member constituency	Rochford and Southend East
	tabling member printed	James Duddridge
	uin	58021
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/12/2016 answer text <p>Zimbabwe faces a serious economic crisis. Bond notes have provided some short term liquidity, but they are not a sustainable solution to Zimbabwe’s economic challenges. Without fundamental reform, taking into account the advice of the International Financial Institutions, an economic collapse is a real prospect. The British Embassy in Harare continues to monitor the situation and we are keeping our travel advice under review.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/12/2016 11:30:05 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge

662883

	registered interest
	date	20/12/2016
	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	Zambia: Foreign Relations
	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 his Department has made of the level of political cooperation between the UK and Zambia.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	58361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2017 answer text <p>The UK and the Republic of Zambia continue to maintain a close bilateral relationship, with co-operation in a range of areas including development, security, trade and investment and international affairs. Zambian Vice-President Wina Inonge visited London in November 2015 to host an investment conference and my Rt Hon. Friend the former Minister of State for International Development Minister (Nick Hurd) visited Zambia in May 2016. Zambia held elections in August this year; the British High Commission has continued to maintain regular engagement with the Zambian Government since then, focusing particularly on supporting the government with its plans for economic reform.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 09/01/2017 14:24:21 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

676072

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Zambia: Energy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations she has received on Zambia's diversification of its energy mix.
	tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
	tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
	uin	61005
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has not received any representations on Zambia’s energy mix. The UK is playing an active role alongside other partners to help Zambia diversify its energy mix given its high reliance on hydroelectricity.</p> answering member constituency Stockton South answering member printed James Wharton question first answered 26/01/2017 17:16:15 answering member 4123 label Biography information for Lord Wharton of Yarm
	tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

652450

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Youth Offending Teams
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she plans to take to maintain the capacity of the Youth Offending Service to help reduce youth crime.
	tabling member constituency	Bethnal Green and Bow
	tabling member printed	Rushanara Ali
	uin	907693
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2016 answer text <p>The youth justice system needs urgent reform and we have been clear that we must do more to improve safety and help young offenders turn their lives around.</p><p>We will be setting out our plans for reform before Christmas.</p> answering member constituency Bracknell answering member printed Dr Phillip Lee question first answered 06/12/2016 17:49:43 answering member 3921 label Biography information for Dr Phillip Lee
	tabling member	4138 label Biography information for Rushanara Ali