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1137585

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Large Goods Vehicles: EU Countries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of ECMT permits (a) required by UK haulier operations and (b) that will be made available in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Harborough
	tabling member printed	Neil O'Brien
	uin	274651
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government has been clear that it does not intend to rely on ECMT permits after we leave the EU. The EU has agreed a regulation on basic road connectivity which guarantees rights for UK hauliers to continue providing services between the UK and the EU should the UK leave without a deal. As it stands, the Regulation would come into effect if the UK left the EU without a deal and would last until 31 December 2019.</p><p>Going forward, we will be working with Member States to agree on bilateral arrangements. Many old bilateral agreements would become reinstated if we leave without a deal and we are confident that other bilaterals will be agreed swiftly, given it is in the interest of both sides for freight to continue to flow.</p><p>The UK’s allocation of ECMT permits for 2020 is a base quota of 174 which is equivalent to 2,088 annual Euro VI ECMT permits.</p> answering member constituency Epsom and Ewell answering member printed Chris Grayling question first answered 11/07/2019 14:53:52 answering member 1413 label Biography information for Chris Grayling
	tabling member	4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien

1138047

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	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, what account he has taken of his Department's report entitled What is the relationship between public and private investment in R&D published July 2015 which stated that an extra £1 of public funding would give rise to an increase in private funding of between £1.13 and £1.60 in setting policy on the relationship between public and private investment in R&D.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	275748
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 9 July 2019 to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-07-04/273388/" target="_blank">273388</a>.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 15/07/2019 13:30:26 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1138051

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Applications
	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 17 June 2019 to Question 263146 on Visas: Applications, if he will ensure that the processing of in-country visa services by Sopra Steria will not result in increased prices for visa services for (a) international students and staff at UK universities and (b) universities.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	275742
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The application fee for a visa or visa extension is paid to the Home Office and is not related to the service provided by Sopra Steria.</p><p>As part of the application process in the UK individuals must enrol their biometrics at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service centre which are run by Sopra Steria.</p><p>For the majority of applicants in the UK there are a variety of offerings for students and other employees at UK education institutions which include free appointments at core service points, access to enhanced service points and the premium lounge for a fee. Additionally, to help meet demand for the autumn increase in student applications a “Tier 4 Service Point” will also be offered by Sopra Steria for a fee. This cost of this is lower than the costs of an out of hours, enhanced service point or premium lounge appointments under the normal UKVCAS service and will save students the financial and logistical burden of travel.</p><p>As part of our governance processes, we work closely with SSL to ensure that excessive charges are not imposed on UKVI customers. Whilst SSL may offer added value services to customers, these are optional and aim to enhance the customer experience.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 15/07/2019 12:31:44 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1138067

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the evidential basis was for the downgrading of the impact of persecution of Christians in the Middle East between the the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians and (a) Interim and (b) Final Report.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	275654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>This is an independent Review. As the Foreign Secretary has stated, the findings of the report make for harrowing reading and we are concerned about the situation for all Christians, including those in the Middle East. The report states that further evidence will be published and will be available incrementally from 15 July on the Review's website.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 15/07/2019 10:48:52 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1138068

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration Controls: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) charged and (b) convicted as a result of Operation Gull in Northern Ireland in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	275698
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office does not publish statistics on request for Operation Gull.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 15/07/2019 12:05:08 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1138075

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2019 to Questions 272897 and 272898, what assessment she has made of whether the feedback of Presenting Officers has led to (a) an increase in successful mandatory reconsiderations for claimants, (b) more correct decisions resulting in fewer successful appeals and (c) fewer claims reaching appeal stage.
	tabling member constituency	Hove
	tabling member printed	Peter Kyle
	uin	275796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Feedback from Presenting Officers has contributed to our new approach which includes contacting claimants, where appropriate, to see if there is information that would enable us to change the decision ourselves. To support this, we are investing additional time for communication, evidence gather and review. This approach supports our aim - to make the right decision as early as possible - so claimants don’t need to progress to the Appeal stage.</p><p> </p><p>It is still too early to assess the full impact of this approach. However initial feedback has been positive and the recently published PIP Official Statistics up to April 2019 showed an increase in the proportion of decisions changed at the Mandatory Reconsideration stage since the approach was implemented.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/07/2019 13:17:27 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4505 label Biography information for Peter Kyle

1138134

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	Recreation Spaces
	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 assessment he has made of the merits of increasing green spaces in the UK to reduce the effect of flash flooding.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	275672
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>As set out in our 25 Year Environment Plan, this Government recognises the importance of green spaces for health and happiness as well as for environmental benefits such as sequestering carbon, absorbing noise, cleansing pollutants, absorbing surface water and reducing high temperatures. In the right place, using green spaces in towns and cities to help divert or store flood water can be beneficial, including using sustainable drainage systems such as permeable surfaces and ponds or natural flood management techniques in towns and cities as well as upstream.</p><p> </p><p>As we build more homes, preserving and creating green spaces in towns is more important than ever. We want to encourage local authorities to consider all flood management opportunities and developers to take into account all the benefits when deciding how much land to allocate as green space.</p><p> </p><p>To support this we have worked with colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to revise the National Planning Policy Framework to further encourage sustainable drainage systems, and published our Surface Water Management Action Plan which includes actions that will join up planning for surface water management and build local authority capacity. In addition, Natural England is developing a framework of national standards for green infrastructure in close consultation with stakeholders.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/07/2019 12:16:36 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1138141

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Cybersecurity: Departmental Coordination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister or official is responsible for ensuring cross-governmental compliance with the Minimum Cyber Security Standard.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	275829
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>I am accountable to Parliament for the National Cyber Security Strategy and the accompanying investment programme. I am also the lead Minister for the cyber resilience of the government sector.</p><p>The Government Chief Security Officer (GCSO) leads the Government Security Function, which seeks to build the capacity and capabilities of security professionals across UK government departments, covering physical, human and information security.</p><p>The GCSO is also Director General of the Government Security Group within the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for the oversight, coordination and delivery of protective security capabilities within all central government departments, their agencies and arms-length bodies.</p><p>The responsibility for security, including risk management and policy implementation, sits with the Accounting Officer and the executive board of each department.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 15/07/2019 12:46:22 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1138151

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	London Underground: Land
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which areas of land around (a) High Barnet, (b) Cockfosters and (c) Finchley Central underground stations are classed as operational land by Transport for London.
	tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
	tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
	uin	275712
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>TfL and its subsidiaries, including LUL, own operational land for facilities such as stations, track and sidings vital for running its railway and tramway services.</p><p> </p><p>Under the GLA Act 1999, land is deemed to be operational if it used to carry on any railway or tramway undertaking of TfL (or one of its subsidiaries), and if an interest is held in the land for that purpose.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Transport does not keep records of which land is considered to be operational.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 15/07/2019 12:51:13 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1138155

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Surveys
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department will update the National Rail Travel Overview Survey Report.
	tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
	tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
	uin	275643
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department is currently considering updating the National Rail Travel Survey, and will reach a decision in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 15/07/2019 11:03:15 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1138162

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Refugees: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on filling the 480 child refugee places in the Immigration Act 2016; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Gedling
	tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
	uin	275678
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is absolutely committed to transferring the specified number of 480 unaccompanied children under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Dubs Amendment) as soon as possible. Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making further progress with the three participating States – France, Greece, and Italy – to refer and transfer more eligible children to move closer to the commitment to transfer 480 children.</p><p>The UK is at the forefront in protecting children affected by the migration crisis. Section 67 is one of a number of schemes that offer a safe and legal route to the UK for the most vulnerable refugees. In total, the UK provided protection to over 6,600 children in 2018, and 34,600 since the start of 2010, and in every year since 2016, the UK resettled more refugees from outside Europe than any other EU member state.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 15/07/2019 12:03:26 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

1138203

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	Poverty: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the accuracy of the findings of the End Child Poverty Group's report, Local indicators of child poverty, 2017-18, published in May 2019 on child poverty levels in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) England.
	tabling member constituency	Kettering
	tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
	uin	275715
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>This study is based on estimates rather than actual measurements of income. National statistics on the number of people in low income are set out in the annual &quot;Households Below Average Income&quot; publication. The number and proportion of children in low income is not available at local authority or constituency level in this publication because the survey sample sizes are too small to support the production of robust estimates at this geography.</p><p> </p><p>In the 3-year estimate leading to 2017/18 absolute child poverty is 2 percentage points lower than in the 3-year estimates leading to 2009/10 for the East Midlands. For England as a whole, absolute child poverty is 4 percentage points lower before housing costs, and 3 percentage points lower after housing costs for the 3-year estimates leading to 2017/18 compared with three year estimates leading to 2009/10.</p><p> </p><p>Children growing up in working households are five times less likely to be in poverty, which is why we are supporting families to improve their lives through work. Since 2010 there are over 3.6 million more people in work, and 667,000 fewer children growing up in workless households.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 15/07/2019 13:29:02 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

1138214

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Severn Tunnel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingencies are in place for a complete structural failure of the Severn Tunnel.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	275658
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The structure of the Severn Tunnel is maintained by Network Rail. In line with all structures on the route, it is inspected annually with a detailed survey carried out every six years. Established maintenance plans are in place to maintain the condition of the track. Network Rail are confident that the tunnel remains structurally sound and they consider the risk of a complete structural failure to be very unlikely.</p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 15/07/2019 10:31:25 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1138215

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Racial Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of reports of racism against students and staff in UK universities in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
	tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
	uin	275679
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The government takes all forms of hate crime extremely seriously. There is no place in our society - including within higher education – for hatred or for any form of harassment, discrimination or racism.</p><p> </p><p>The government is working closely with Universities UK (UUK) and the Office for Students (OfS) to support work to address racism and other forms of harassment in higher education, including the implementation of UUK’s Taskforce recommendations. The government has also tasked the OfS to support this work, and over £2 million has been invested in projects tackling hatred and harassment.</p><p> </p><p>The department regularly meets stakeholders and representative bodies about student experience issues including racism, hate crime and harassment. Officials hold quarterly meetings with the OfS and UUK to discuss how to make progress on harassment and hate crime, including racism within the sector. In addition, I have recently held meetings with the Union of Jewish Students and Jewish student representatives about antisemitism on campus.</p><p> </p><p>The government expects providers to keep records of incidents disclosed to them and to act swiftly to investigate and address them. It is important to recognise that under-reporting is common. Higher education providers should look at how they can continue to break down barriers to reporting, in spite of the potential for it to lead to spikes in disclosures, and to make sure that students and staff feel safe and able to disclose racist incidents.</p><p> </p><p>Evaluation to date has shown that progress has been made but that there is still more to do. On 7 January 2019; I wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission to welcome their Inquiry into Racial Harassment in Higher Education Institutions. I look forward to the new evidence that this inquiry will bring and will review its findings carefully.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 275680 question first answered 15/07/2019 12:42:13 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1138218

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Racial Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives from (i) Universities UK, (ii) other education sector bodies, (iii) trades unions representing staff, (iv) student unions and (v) NUS on the effect of incidences of racism directed at their members in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
	tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
	uin	275680
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The government takes all forms of hate crime extremely seriously. There is no place in our society - including within higher education – for hatred or for any form of harassment, discrimination or racism.</p><p> </p><p>The government is working closely with Universities UK (UUK) and the Office for Students (OfS) to support work to address racism and other forms of harassment in higher education, including the implementation of UUK’s Taskforce recommendations. The government has also tasked the OfS to support this work, and over £2 million has been invested in projects tackling hatred and harassment.</p><p> </p><p>The department regularly meets stakeholders and representative bodies about student experience issues including racism, hate crime and harassment. Officials hold quarterly meetings with the OfS and UUK to discuss how to make progress on harassment and hate crime, including racism within the sector. In addition, I have recently held meetings with the Union of Jewish Students and Jewish student representatives about antisemitism on campus.</p><p> </p><p>The government expects providers to keep records of incidents disclosed to them and to act swiftly to investigate and address them. It is important to recognise that under-reporting is common. Higher education providers should look at how they can continue to break down barriers to reporting, in spite of the potential for it to lead to spikes in disclosures, and to make sure that students and staff feel safe and able to disclose racist incidents.</p><p> </p><p>Evaluation to date has shown that progress has been made but that there is still more to do. On 7 January 2019; I wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission to welcome their Inquiry into Racial Harassment in Higher Education Institutions. I look forward to the new evidence that this inquiry will bring and will review its findings carefully.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 275679 question first answered 15/07/2019 12:42:13 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1138220

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	India: Islam
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to recent reported acts of religious violence against Indian Muslims, what assessment he has made of the level of risk to visibly Muslim UK tourists visiting India.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	275721
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice to India, which is regularly updated, provides comprehensive security advice to all British nationals covering a range of situations and regions in India. These include the risk of increased threat in places visited by British nationals such as religious sites. Like all British nationals, British Muslims should exercise vigilance and keep up to date with local news and advisories.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 15/07/2019 10:45:58 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1138222

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Equality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of equality and diversity training provided by higher education institutions; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making that training mandatory.
	tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
	tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
	uin	275681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The government is committed to tackling inequalities. That is why, in October 2018, my right. hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, launched measures to tackle barriers facing ethnic minorities in the workplace, including a new Race at Work Charter and a consultation on ethnicity pay reporting.</p><p>Like all employers, higher education providers have responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010) in relation to their staff. The government expects providers to comply fully with their obligations. As autonomous and independent institutions, it is for individual providers to ensure that the training they provide is appropriate.</p><p>The Equality Challenge Unit (part of Advance HE) has published guidance for higher education providers on embedding equality and diversity into HR policies. The Race Equality Charter also helps higher education providers to identify and address institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of minority ethnic staff and students. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises work undertaken to address gender equality.</p><p>The regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), and its predecessor, have provided over £4.7 million in funding for projects tackling sexual harassment, online harassment and hate-based harassment. This includes projects with a focus on developing and providing training for both staff and students on matters such as bystander intervention and handling of reports and disclosures.</p><p>In guidance to the OfS, the government has asked the regulator to positively engage with work to counter harassment and hate-crime and to make campuses places of tolerance for all students, and work with providers on equalities issues.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 15/07/2019 12:23:39 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1137660

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Overseas Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to use the Board of Trade to ensure that the constituent parts of the UK benefit from UK trade policy after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	911907
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Establishing the Board of Trade has been one of this department’s major achievements over the last three years and it will continue to meet in all UK Nations and regions. It has representation from the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and business advisers from across the UK, and will make sure all parts of the UK benefit from the jobs and investment that come with an independent trade policy.</p> answering member constituency North Somerset answering member printed Dr Liam Fox question first answered 11/07/2019 12:16:58 answering member 223 label Biography information for Sir Liam Fox
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1137661

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Technology: Foreign Investment in UK
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of foreign direct investment in the UK tech sector.
	tabling member constituency	Chichester
	tabling member printed	Gillian Keegan
	uin	911906
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The latest Tech Nation report showed the UK attracts more VC tech investment than any other European nation, with £6.3 billion raised in 2018. The UK is both a leading global financial hub and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub, home to more AI start-ups than any other European country with over 1000 companies and 600 investors.</p><p> </p><p>Last month during London Tech Week, my department announced a further £1.2 billion of new foreign direct investment in the UK tech sector which will create more than 850 jobs.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 11/07/2019 11:37:42 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan

1137663

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Probate: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the probate system.
	tabling member constituency	Totnes
	tabling member printed	Dr Sarah Wollaston
	uin	911811
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Waiting times in the probate service have recently increased. However, following urgent action by the courts service, they are now starting to improve.</p><p> </p><p>The temporary delays were the result of more work coming into the system and the impact of the initial move to a new IT system for managing probate work.</p><p> </p><p>Now that move is complete, and the unusually high workload has been dealt with, we expect waiting times to continue to improve – and be back to normal levels in the coming weeks.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 09/07/2019 16:19:12 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4073 label Biography information for Dr Sarah Wollaston

1137664

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Camp Hill Prison
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What progress he has made on the sale of the Camp Hill prison site to Isle of Wight Council.
	tabling member constituency	Isle of Wight
	tabling member printed	Mr Bob Seely
	uin	911812
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>We have commissioned a demolition survey of the former prison results should hopefully be available, in late July.</p><p> </p><p>The Camp Hill element of HM Prison Isle of Wight closed on 31 March 2013. In summer 2014, the then Secretary of State decided that the former prison sites at Camp Hill, Reading and Wellingborough would be retained in case they offered a useful contingency option to deal with population pressures. The site was released for disposal on 10 January 2017.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 09/07/2019 15:58:09 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4681 label Biography information for Bob Seely

1137665

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Bristol Prison: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps he is taking to help ensure a safe regime for (a) staff and (b) prisoners in Horfield prison in Bristol.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol West
	tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
	uin	911813
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>An Urgent Notification was invoked at HMP Bristol on 13th June 2019. There has been some progress at HMP Bristol under Special Measures to bolster staff to a sufficient level, reduce illicit drug use and improve living conditions by refurbishing a wing and a number of the showers. However, we know more support is needed. The Secretary of State will publish his response and an initial action plan within 28 calendar days (on 11<sup>th</sup> July) in response to the most serious and urgent concerns raised.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Immediate action has been taken to ensure prisoners can speak to Samaritans on their in-cell phones. In addition, action has been taken to address issues raised regarding the safer custody hotline and prevent issues from recurring, so prisoners’ family and friends can report any concerns about a prisoner’s welfare directly to the prison.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 09/07/2019 16:00:18 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1137666

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Reoffenders: Sentencing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	If he will review sentencing policy for prolific offenders.
	tabling member constituency	Harborough
	tabling member printed	Neil O'Brien
	uin	911814
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>We are looking to take forward reform of short custodial sentences. We know that offenders serving short sentences often have long offending histories, as well as multiple and complex needs. In cases of the most persistent offenders, the evidence shows they are 36% more likely to re-offend where they have received a short custodial sentence rather than a court order. Community penalties can address underlying behaviour, answer mental health and alcohol or drug misuse needs and provide reparation for the benefit of the wider community.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 09/07/2019 16:03:15 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien

1137667

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Legal Aid Scheme: Canterbury
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to improve provision of legal aid for housing cases in Canterbury.
	tabling member constituency	Canterbury
	tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
	uin	911819
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>After the latest LAA civil tender the number of offices providing legal aid services has increased by 7% in housing and debt. The LAA reviews the access to services on a regular basis and takes any necessary action to maintain access to those services.</p><p> </p><p>As a result of the 2018 civil contract procurement activity access to providers offering Housing advice in Kent, and specifically the Kent Coast procurement area in which Canterbury falls, has increased.</p><p> </p><p>Following an extensive and open programme of engagement, we recently published our review of LASPO. We announced that we are launching a series of pilots offering early legal advice for an area of social welfare such as housing. These pilots will help us determine the most effective solutions going forward.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 09/07/2019 16:19:57 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1137668

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prison Officers: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What progress the Government has made on improving training and support for prison officers.
	tabling member constituency	South Basildon and East Thurrock
	tabling member printed	Stephen Metcalfe
	uin	911821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>A delivery review of the Prison Officer Entry Level training (POELT) course has culminated in the development of a Level 3 Custody and Detention Officer Apprenticeship. New learning methodologies will have greater focus on practice of the knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to the Prison Officer role whilst also recognising the need for continuous training outside of the classroom. Two checkpoints will be included during this time where Apprentices will return to an L&amp;D centre for further learning.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>This will give new prison officers the confidence to carry out their role safely. The Apprenticeship will be launched in early adopter sites from October 2019. All training is reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects current organisational policies and practices. New courses are developed based on requests from Stakeholders within the organisation.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 09/07/2019 16:04:52 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4092 label Biography information for Stephen Metcalfe