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1126802

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children's Centres
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to (a) reverse the closure of children's centres and (b) publish a strategy for the long-term expansion of the provision of children's centres.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	254727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>As set out in the government response to recommendation 13 of the Education Select Committee report on tackling disadvantage in the early years, published on 4 April 2019, we are clear that children’s centres have an important role to play in achieving my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s social mobility ambition, but it is right for local authorities to decide how to use them as part of the wider system of local services. The government response can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Education/Correspondence/Government-response-to-committee-9th-report-tackling-disadvantage-in-the-early-years-CP-68.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Education/Correspondence/Government-response-to-committee-9th-report-tackling-disadvantage-in-the-early-years-CP-68.pdf</a>, the select committee report can be accessed here: <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/1006/1006.pdf" target="_blank">https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/1006/1006.pdf</a>.</p><p>The government’s role is to engage with the sector, find out what works and support local areas to make the right decisions for their communities, which is why we have commissioned the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) to examine research and practice evidence with the aim of developing tools to help local authorities make informed choices about their children’s centre provision. The EIF project is part of the Department for Education’s £8.5 million local government programme, which will inform the next steps, including considering any future consultation, on children’s centres. Funding for the local government programme runs until March 2020, with evidence and learning emerging by its conclusion.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 22/05/2019 13:11:22 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1126804

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2018 to Question 196233 and with reference to page 14 of the Memorandum of Understanding between HMRC and the Home Office on the EU Settlement Scheme, what is defined as a genuine business need to access data.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	254812
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>A genuine business need means only staff at the Home Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs who require access to the data to carry out their duties will be granted access.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 22/05/2019 13:09:40 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1126816

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of whether there is a need for transitional protection for mixed-age couples that will see eligibility for pension credit and housing benefit affected by transferring to universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Preseli Pembrokeshire
	tabling member printed	Stephen Crabb
	uin	254779
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The mixed age couples change will not apply to couples already claiming Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit for pensioners on 14 May for as long as they remain entitled to either benefit. DWP wrote earlier this year to those mixed age couples already receiving Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit for pensioners to ensure they know about the change and how they could be affected if their circumstances change on or after 15 May.</p><p> </p><p>Couples who would be eligible for the pension age benefits under the previous rules but have not claimed before 15 May will have up to 13 August to make a backdated claim to 14 May and we encourage them to do so.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 22/05/2019 15:54:25 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1554 label Biography information for Stephen Crabb

1126831

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Dstl: Animal Experiments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many marmosets at DSTL Porton Down were culled on the grounds they were deemed to be (a) surplus animals and (b) unsuccessful breeding animals in each of the last 3 years.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	254793
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, Wiltshire, is licensed by the Home Office to conduct the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) in-house research involving the use of animals.</p><p>There are occasions when it is necessary to euthanise an animal for its own welfare or for the welfare of the remaining breeding population. Veterinary surgeons provide extensive advice on the welfare of the animals and on the overall health of the breeding colony.</p><p>For 2016, 2017 and 2018, no surplus marmosets were euthanised. Due to unsuccessful breeding, no marmosets were euthanised in 2016; for 2017, one breeding marmoset was euthanised, and for 2018, three breeding marmosets were euthanised on veterinary advice that it would not be good for the animal's welfare and/or may risk the animal's health to carry on breeding.</p><p>Dstl always considers what will be in the best interests for every animal's welfare and follows the Home Office's Animal in Science Regulation Unit's advice on rehoming and setting free, which is available to view on gov.uk.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 22/05/2019 15:06:07 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1126871

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Private Rented Housing: New Forest
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consultation in accordance with the Minister's Mandate preceded changes in the policy of letting dwellings in the New Forest administrated by the Forestry Commission; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	New Forest West
	tabling member printed	Sir Desmond Swayne
	uin	254708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The Minister’s Mandate, which is mainly concerned with the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the Crown lands of the New Forest, does not contain any references to the provision or the letting of dwellings.</p><p> </p><p>The principles guiding the Forestry Commission’s approach to housing in the New Forest are unchanged. The Commission aims primarily to meet its operational requirements in respect of housing for its own workforce, some of whom are also Commoners, but also continues to offer discounted residential rents to other Commoners in the New Forest. The Commission plays a vital role in the life of the New Forest, and over the past 25 years has done much to support commoning through its land management and property policies. This includes substantial public subsidy on the basis of the benefits to commoning and maintaining the traditions of the New Forest, but this has to be balanced with the need for financial sustainability in managing the local housing stock and the cost to the taxpayer of caring for the nation’s forests.</p><p> </p><p>I would expect the Forestry Commission to seek approval from Ministers before any fundamental change in approach is implemented.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 22/05/2019 16:19:42 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	55 label Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne

1126926

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Electronic Training Aids
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2019 to Question 249947, whether the Government has plans to bring forward legislation to ban the use of electronic shock collars by mid-July.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	254811
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The necessary legislation needed to prohibit the use of remote controlled hand-held electronic training collars for dogs, will be laid before Parliament in due course. Timings for this legislation will be announced in the normal way.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 22/05/2019 16:13:17 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1126945

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Cats and Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure compliance with the Balai Directive to protect the UK from disease in relation to EU and Third country imports of stray cats and dogs.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	254769
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the threat to public and animal health posed by animals entering the United Kingdom (UK) very seriously. This includes the rescue and rehoming of stray cats and dogs from EU and Third countries under the Balai Directive, which is classed as a commercial import not as a pet import. Importation of stray dogs and cats, whose history is unknown can pose a biosecurity risk to the UK and therefore enforcement measures are in place to ensure compliance.</p><p> </p><p>All consignments of stray dogs or cats from Third countries must enter through a Border Inspection Post (BIP), and receive documentary, physical and identity checks upon arrival for compliance with import requirements.</p><p> </p><p>All EU consignments of dogs or cats receive documentary checks on entry and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) conduct further checks post-import. A risk-based approach is used to determine which consignments receive a further post-importation identity and documentary check at their destination in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Where animals fail to meet the necessary health requirements for entry to the UK, they must either be quarantined until compliant, returned to their country of origin, or euthanised – all at the expense of the owner or importer. This helps to preserve the UK’s high standards of biosecurity, and acts as a deterrent to those who might otherwise be motivated to abuse Balai import requirements. The UK CVO is in correspondence with her EU counterparts in Member States where issues of non-compliance have been detected.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 22/05/2019 16:08:56 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1126952

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Lighting
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations Act to reduce the maximum glare permitted by automobile headlights.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Martin Whitfield
	uin	254868
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>Regulations are already in place to help prevent headlights from causing glare, and there are no plans to change national law.</p><p> </p><p>Before vehicles can be sold or registered in the United Kingdom manufacturers must ensure compliance with international vehicle approval requirements, which include defined beam patterns and intensities to minimise the occurrence of glare. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 prohibit the use of headlights that can cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users. Vehicle users have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are maintained correctly, and headlight aim is checked at the annual roadworthiness inspection (MOT test) to ensure it is within acceptable limits.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 22/05/2019 13:55:17 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4626 label Biography information for Martin Whitfield

1126962

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	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	Construction: Trading Standards
	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 effectiveness of Trading Standards in protecting consumers from rogue and incompetent builders in the construction industry.
	tabling member constituency	Morecambe and Lunesdale
	tabling member printed	David Morris
	uin	254821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>No such assessment has been made, but the Government is considering options to ensure that our system of consumer protection provides a robust response to both local and national threats for the Consumer White Paper.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has endorsed the TrustMark scheme to reduce the number of rogue and incompetent builders; and to identify local traders who have undergone independent checks for both trade competence and good trading practice. This scheme gives consumers increased confidence and ability to choose registered businesses including builders who adhere to and maintain high standards.</p><p> </p><p>TrustMark is actively involved with Trading Standards to provide further protection to consumers affected by rogue builders.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 22/05/2019 16:20:22 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 119032 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4135 label Biography information for David Morris

1126970

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Trials: Ethnic Groups
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) BAME and (b) white defendants who enter guilty pleas.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	254792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The proportion of guilty pleas (where plea was known) has slowly been declining, from 74% in 2014 to 69% for white defendants, and from 61% in 2014 to 57% for BAME defendants in 2018.</p><p>Data is only available for defendants dealt with at Crown Court (not all defendants) for indictable offences.</p><p>The proportion of defendants who entered a guilty plea by ethnicity (2008 – 2018) can be found in the Crown court data tool at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802313/crown-court-tool-2018.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802313/crown-court-tool-2018.xlsx</a></p><ul><li>Remove the ‘Values’ field from Rows</li><li>Drag the ‘Ethnicity’ field into Rows</li><li>Drag the ‘Total for Trial’ field into Values</li><li>Filter to ’01: Guilty Plea’ in the ‘Plea at Crown Court’ field for the number of defendants that entered a guilty plea</li><li>Filter to ’01: Guilty Plea’ and ’02: Not Guilty plea’ in the ‘Plea at Crown Court’ field number of defendants that entered a plea overall (where plea was known)</li><li>The number of BAME defendants can be defined by combining ’02: Black’, ’03: Asian’, ’04: Mixed’ and ’05: Chinese and other’ rows. The number of white defendants who entered a guilty plea each year can be found in the ‘01: White’ row.</li><li>The proportion of defendants who entered a guilty plea can be found by dividing the number of guilty pleas by the number of overall pleas for the relevant ethnicity rows.</li></ul> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 22/05/2019 16:46:56 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi