Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1132389

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Sudan: Demonstrations
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 his Department's policies of reports that the Sudanese security and military services (a) used violence against and (b) raped peaceful protesters under the orders of the Transitional Military Council on 10 June 2019 in Khartoum; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	265559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>On 3 June, the Foreign Secretary condemned the attack on protestors by Sudanese security forces, and held the Transitional Military Council (TMC) fully responsible. On 6 June, I summoned the Sudanese Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to express our grave concerns at the use of all forms of violence, including sexual violence against civilians by the Sudanese authorities. This was reiterated in a recent statement issued by the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 17 June, which called for the immediate cessation of all violence against the Sudanese people, including extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary killings, beatings and sexual and gender-based violence, arrests and disappearances.</p><p>We have been consistent in public and in private that there must be accountability for the crimes committed by members of the former regime. The UK strongly supports the mission of the International Criminal Court; due legal process must be followed. I also set out the UK's position at the FAC that called for the human rights of all Sudanese people to be respected, and the resumption of the political process leading to an agreed peaceful transfer of power to a civilian-led government, as demanded by the Sudanese people.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 25/06/2019 13:43:21 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1132390

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Sudan: Internet
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 potential implications for human rights in Sudan of reports of a block on internet access in that country in June 2019.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	265560
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>​The Foreign Secretary's statement on 6 June called for internet and full media freedom to be restored to avoid escalation. I summoned the Sudanese Ambassador on 6 June and called on the Transitional Military Council to lift all restrictions on internet access which has been unavailable since 3 June. I stressed the importance of free access to the internet for all Sudanese citizens as part of their basic human right and living in a free and open society. I expressed our concern about the impact this had on broader freedoms in Sudan.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 25/06/2019 13:46:11 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1132391

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Sudan: Demonstrations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to send a diplomat from Sudan to press for an end to the violence against demonstrators in Sudan.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	265561
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Our Embassy in Khartoum regularly calls on members of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) both in public and directly to take the steps needed to end the violence and improve the situation in Sudan, including the release of all political detainees.</p><p>Our Ambassador and other British Embassy Officials in Khartoum regularly meet with all elements of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), encouraging them to be inclusive in their approach and seek a realistic compromise. Talks between the TMC and FFC have resumed via mediators.</p><p>The UK has called for the human rights of all Sudanese people to be respected, and the resumption of the political process leading to an agreed peaceful transfer of power to a civilian-led government, as demanded by the Sudanese people. We will continue to engage with all sides to support a settlement that works for all Sudanese people.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 25/06/2019 10:29:06 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1132394

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Department for Work and Pensions: Cardiff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to help ensure that there are adequate (a) parking facilities and (b) public transport connections for staff working in her Department's offices in Merthyr Tydfil when that office is moved to the hub north of Cardiff.
tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
uin	265563
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>We plan to move the back of house staff based in Merthyr Tydfil Ty Bethesda into the new office in Treforest between 2021 and 2023.</p><p> </p><p>Building work on the new Treforest site began in January 2019 and the building is currently on track and due for completion in the last quarter of 2020. There are plans for 444 car parking spaces, along with space for motorcycle and cycle storage at this site.</p><p> </p><p>The development of the South Wales Metro continues and discussions are ongoing between DWP and Transport for Wales around the relocation of Trefforest Estate station closer to the new office.</p><p> </p><p>Before any moves take place, staff will have the opportunity for a formal one-to-one discussion with their line managers about how the move will impact them. This helps to assess any travel impacts of the change of location. We anticipate that these formal discussions will take place approximately nine months in advance of any moves.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 20/06/2019 15:51:41 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1132396

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Courts and Probation: ICT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much money has been recovered from IT systems suppliers since the probation and courts IT systems failures in January 2019.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	265564
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is continuing discussions with its Suppliers in relation to the outage. Due to the ongoing nature of these discussions it is not possible to provide any information pertaining to the quantification of costs, at this time.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 20/06/2019 16:10:06 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1132397

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Employment: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to strengthen protections for mental health at work under health and safety legislation.
tabling member constituency	Knowsley
tabling member printed	Sir George Howarth
uin	265450
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>In October 2017, the Prime Minister welcomed and accepted the recommendations of the <em>Thriving at Work: The Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health</em> <em>and employers</em>. This recognised that employers should develop a comprehensive approach to managing mental health that includes implementing activity on preventing mental ill health caused by work, promoting good mental health in the workplace and supporting individuals who experience poor mental health. Actions to implement this comprehensive approach are described within the mental health standards developed by the reviewers and accepted by Government.</p><p> </p><p>Existing duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 contribute by requiring employers to put in place measures to prevent causes of work-related mental ill health. Specifically, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to undertake a risk assessment and act on that assessment by removing or putting in place reasonable steps to control the causes of work-related mental ill health. Additionally, under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers have a responsibility to consider the mental health needs of their staff as part of their ‘first aid needs assessment’ and decide on what support is necessary. This assessment enables employers to put in place measures that will directly respond to their employee needs and allows businesses flexibility where those needs may change. Supporting individuals in distress until professional help arrives is an important feature of any first aid event regardless of its nature. It is a key component in the first aid syllabus contained in the regulations and meets the NHS recommended approach for assisting an individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government is committed to working with key stakeholders, public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure that employers of all sizes implement the mental health standards, comply with their legal duties and realise the benefit of healthy inclusive workplaces.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/06/2019 14:32:11 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	481 label Biography information for Sir George Howarth

1132398

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Julian Assange
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the procedure was for (a) public and (b) press access to the extradition hearing for Julian Assange; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	265565
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>This was an open hearing, accessible to both the press and public.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Extra chairs were laid out to accommodate as many people as possible in the court room. As is usual in high-profile cases, a ticketing system was in place to allocate seats to the media.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were, however, more people wishing to observe the hearing than there were seats available, meaning that not everyone could be accommodated on this occasion.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 20/06/2019 16:10:40 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1132399

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Courts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the frequency with which courts are closed to the public and press without an order having been granted by the judge.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	265566
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>The arrangements for the admission of the public and the press to a court vary by the jurisdiction of that court, and by the nature of the application being considered. Where a court is under a duty to sit in open court, it has an inherent jurisdiction to sit in private but only if ordered by the presiding judge or magistrates. A court, to which the press or public must be admitted, will not sit in private without a judicial direction. The ability of the court to admit the public and the press may be limited by the physical constraints of the courtroom.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 20/06/2019 16:12:15 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1132400

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Divorce
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time was for a response from each HMCTS divorce centre (a) on 17 June 2019, (b) in 2015 and (c) in 2010.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	265567
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The regional divorce units were set up in 2015.</p><p>The average period of time from receipt to issue of the decree nisi is currently:</p><p> </p><p>Midlands 27.6 weeks</p><p>North East 29.7 weeks</p><p>North west 29.1 weeks</p><p>Wales 28.5 weeks</p><p>South east 41 weeks</p><p>South west 26.8 weeks</p><p> </p><p>In June 2015 it was:</p><p>Midlands 24 weeks</p><p>North East 21 weeks</p><p>North West 23.8 weeks</p><p>Wales 22 weeks</p><p>South East 24.7 weeks</p><p>South west 21.4 weeks</p><p> </p><p>We have increased the number of sitting days and recruited extra judges and magistrates to meet increased demand in the family courts. In the South East, staff shortages in Bury St Edmunds Divorce Centre led to some delays, and the centre is now fully staffed and performance is improving.</p><p>Divorce can be a deeply distressing time which is why a new online divorce application was introduced as part of the £1 billion Reform programme. Separating couples can fill in simplified forms, submit documents and pay online - leading to significantly fewer errors and an easier, cheaper application process.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 25/06/2019 15:20:28 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1132401

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of HMCTS staff were agency staff by staffing band in (a) 2010 and (b) 2018.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	265568
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>The number of agency staff in HMCTS was 2,737 as of March 2018, which was 14.6%. The earliest held comparable data is from 2016 and shows 1,569, which was 8.5% of the staffing numbers. This shows an increase of 1,168, 6.1 percentage points, over this period. The following table shows a breakdown by grade as requested.</p><p> </p><p>We were unable to provide data from 2010 as HMCTS did not exist in its current form until 2011. Prior to this there were multiple business units that held their own people data. We are unable to obtain agency data from HR systems prior to 2016. As with any large data system, there are also likely to be some inaccuracies.</p><p> </p><p>Over the period of Reform, we expect the shape and size of the organisation to change. As part of this we are reducing our staffing levels and expect the future skills of our people to change. The HMCTS workforce strategy during this period is to increase the capability of our staff, whilst simultaneously increasing our workforce flexibility through the increased usage of contingent labour. This is in order to reduce redundancy costs and protect the jobs of longer serving, permanent staff. The required staffing level needed across each of our HMCTS sites is monitored closely, and proactive recruitment undertaken to ensure these levels are maintained.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 20/06/2019 16:11:43 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon