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1007134

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Criminal Proceedings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change in the CPS charging, prosecution and conviction rates related to cases of rape since 2016-17.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne North
	tabling member printed	Catherine McKinnell
	uin	191416
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>There are a number of factors that have contributed to the recent falls in the volume of suspects charged, prosecuted and convicted of rape. The 2017-18 Violence Against Women and Girls report highlighted a 9.1% fall in referrals of rape flagged cases from the police to the CPS and work is being undertaken to understand the reasons behind this trend. Prosecutors are increasingly using the process of Early Investigative Advice to work with the police early to see what can be done to strengthen the prosecution when it is needed.</p><p>Rape investigations are becoming increasingly complex due to a number of factors, including the growth in relevant digital communications evidence. To address the increasing complexity of cases the CPS have introduced new guidance to help police and prosecutors with reasonable lines of inquiry and communications evidence. There has also been a significant recruitment exercise, which was completed to ensure that RASSO units were equipped to meet the substantial increase in the volume of case referrals from the police. Between July 2015 and October 2018, the number of specialist prosecutors in RASSO units rose by 52% from 138 to 210, with overall staffing in these units increasing by more than a third.</p><p>There has been no change of approach or guidance to CPS prosecutors in their commitment towards the prosecution of rape offences. The CPS has undertaken extensive work over the last decade to ensure that specialist prosecutors are fully equipped to deal with the particular complexities of rape and serious sexual offences and that the Code for Crown Prosecutors is properly applied. This includes understanding victim vulnerabilities and the impact of rape, as well as consent, myths and stereotypes, and the particular difficulties of cases involving vulnerable witnesses and young people. In 2018-19 the CPS plans to embark upon a project to better understand the evolving nature of sexual behaviours and encounters amongst young people as there are particular challenges in cases involving young adults.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 19/11/2018 14:04:02 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell

1006894

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Government: Proof of Identity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse was of payments to Gov.uk Verify identity providers in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	191443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>I refer the Member to the answer provided for PQ 186439, which states that details of payments to the identity providers is commercially sensitive information and cannot be released. Any information that may lead to a breach of commercial sensitivity with our private sector suppliers would have a negative impact on the relationship between Government and its partners.</p><p> </p><p>We accept there is a general public interest in disclosure of information and we recognise that openness in government may increase public trust in and engagement with the government.</p><p> </p><p>These public interests have to be weighed against a strong public interest that policy-making and its implementation are of the highest quality and informed by a full consideration of all the options. It is important that government can work with partners to deliver a high quality service and maintain a high level of trust.</p><p> </p><p>Any information that may lead to a breach of commercial sensitivity would have a negative impact on the relationship between government and the identity providers. Taking into account all the circumstances of this case, we have concluded that the balance of the public interest favours withholding the information requested.</p> answering member constituency Hertsmere answering member printed Oliver Dowden question first answered 19/11/2018 16:56:36 answering member 4441 label Biography information for Oliver Dowden
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1006870

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fireworks: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to amend the regulations on the sale or use of fireworks to (a) further restrict the sale of fireworks and (b) restrict the use of fireworks to certain specified occasions.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	191262
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Government takes firework safety very seriously and the Office for Product Safety and Standards is working with industry, retailers, charities and others, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Promoting the safe and responsible use of fireworks, whilst taking robust action against those that break the rules, is the best way to reduce risk. We have reached more than a million people through social media, GP surgeries and post offices in our recent campaign on firework safety.</p><p> </p><p>Strict legislation is in place to regulate the supply and use of fireworks, including restricting their availability to the public via a licensing scheme for retailers which only allows for their sale without a license during the traditional firework periods of November 5th, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year.</p><p> </p><p>We have no plans to amend legislation to further restrict their sale or use.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:35:38 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1006885

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Disclosure of Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of disability discrimination related to (a) mental health and (b) other disabilities against whistleblowers in the public sector.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford East
	tabling member printed	Anneliese Dodds
	uin	191439
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Employment Tribunal Statistics show that the number of claims related to Public Interest Disclosures brought to an Employment Tribunal hearing have increased from 1,489 in 2007/08 to 2,191 in 2017/18. Figures are not available to indicate how many of these claims related to public sector employers, nor to mental health or other disabilities.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:34:02 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4657 label Biography information for Anneliese Dodds

1006924

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Carbon Monoxide: Alarms
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department takes to prevent the sale of faulty and substandard carbon monoxide alarms that do not meet the EN 50291-1 safety standard; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	191292
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Carbon monoxide alarms are regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 which require that products must be safe before they can be placed on the market.</p><p> </p><p>Local Authority Trading Standards have powers to take action to remove or recall products which do not comply with the regulations and the Office for Product Safety and Standards will work with them to monitor the safety of these products.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 traders must ensure that goods are as described and of a satisfactory quality and be fit for a particular purpose if that purpose was made known to the consumer.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:36:22 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1006949

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	WH Smith: Post Offices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on (a) employment patterns and (b) levels of customer service of the planned franchising of 74 Crown post offices to WHSmith.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Frank Field
	uin	191303
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. Staff employment patterns and customer service are both operational matters of commercial judgement for Post Office management team. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Rt hon Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:35:57 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1006967

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Carbon Emissions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment has been made of the potential effect on the UK's (a) total carbon emissions and (b) ability to filful its commitments as a signatory to the Paris agreement on climate change of the carbon emissions generated by the consumption of oil and gas produced as a result of the UK’s 31st offshore licensing round.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	191275
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The independent oil and gas regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), has a principal statutory objective to maximise the economic recovery of petroleum from the UK Continental Shelf. This informs their licensing decisions. In the UK, we have been producing oil and gas from offshore fields for more than 50 years and the 31<sup>st</sup> offshore licensing round could offer further opportunities to contribute to the UK’s diverse energy mix as we transition to a low carbon economy.</p><p> </p><p>Oil and gas will continue to play an important role as part of the energy mix for decades to come. Greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the UK’s economy are taken into account when assessing our performance against the carbon budgets.</p><p> </p><p>The UK remains committed to the Paris Agreement and we are leading the world in our response to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on global warming of 1.5°C– commissioning the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) for their advice on the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction targets, just one week after its publication. As part of this, we have requested that they provide evidence on how reductions in line with the CCC’s recommendations might be delivered in key sectors of the economy and we will consider their advice carefully when it is received.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 19/11/2018 15:13:26 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

1007015

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Research: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much additional public funding is required to reach the Government's target of spending 2.4 per cent of GDP on R&D across the economy by 2027.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	191407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is working with UK Research and Innovation and other key partners to develop a roadmap that sets out how government and industry will work together to reach the 2.4% target by 2027.</p><p> </p><p>The roadmap, including an assessment of the measures required to put us on a trajectory to the 2.4% target, will be published in 2019.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Mr Sam Gyimah grouped question UIN 191408 question first answered 19/11/2018 15:44:30 answering member 3980 label Biography information for Mr Sam Gyimah
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1007024

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Research: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish a long-term budget that estimates the amount of investment from the public purse in R&D to reach 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	191408
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is working with UK Research and Innovation and other key partners to develop a roadmap that sets out how government and industry will work together to reach the 2.4% target by 2027.</p><p> </p><p>The roadmap, including an assessment of the measures required to put us on a trajectory to the 2.4% target, will be published in 2019.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Mr Sam Gyimah grouped question UIN 191407 question first answered 19/11/2018 15:44:30 answering member 3980 label Biography information for Mr Sam Gyimah
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1007046

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Chemicals: Manufacturing Industries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of energy costs on the financial sustainability of the UK chemical industry.
	tabling member constituency	Bradford South
	tabling member printed	Judith Cummins
	uin	191464
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Ensuring that the UK is competitive on the energy costs faced by manufacturing industry is an important element of our Industrial Strategy.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has made no specific assessments of the effect of energy costs on the sustainability of the UK chemical sector. We know the chemistry sector recognises the value of the work we have undertaken in partnership to reduce energy costs. The recently-launched Chemistry Council Strategy the sector has noted that:</p><p> </p><p>“Government and industry have worked together to help deliver improved energy costs for energy intensive industries (EII). This was delivered through a £7 billion EII compensation package (announced in the Budget 2013), its conversion to an exemption (announced in the Autumn Statement 2015) and subsequently implemented from 2017.”</p> answering member constituency Watford answering member printed Richard Harrington question first answered 19/11/2018 15:11:37 answering member 4068 label Biography information for Lord Harrington of Watford
	tabling member	4391 label Biography information for Judith Cummins