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89625

registered interest
date	29/08/2014
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	Sri Lanka
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the merits of the appointment of a team of experts led by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist the investigation into alleged abuses in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	207273
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2014 answer text <p>On 26 June, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) welcomed the appointment of experts to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka. As his statement noted: ‘the inclusion of Martti Artisaahri, Silvia Cartwright and Asma Jahangir completes a strong team with a clear mandate from the UN Human Rights Council’ to investigate alleged violations and abuses on both sides of Sri Lanka’s military conflict. The UK played a key role in securing the investigation.</p><p>The full statement can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-welcomes-announcement-of-un-investigation-team-on-sri-lanka</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/09/2014 11:07:22 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

89733

registered interest
date	29/08/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	London Airports
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK Border Force personnel have been deployed at (a) Gatwick, (b) Heathrow, (c) Luton, (d) Stansted and (e) Southend airport in each year since 2008.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	207274
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p>To ensure the integrity and security of the UK border, Her Majesty’s Government cannot provide details of the number of staff deployed at specific ports.</p><p /> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 08/09/2014 15:36:35 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

89734

registered interest
date	29/08/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Stansted Airport
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the UK Border Force is taking to reduce queuing and improve the passenger experience at Stansted Airport.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	207268
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p>This year, Border Force increased the number of e-passport gates at Stansted from 5 to 15 which allows for a more efficient flow of passengers through the primary arrivals control. Alongside this, Border Force is working closely with Stansted Airport to reduce queues and improve the passenger experience. It has increased the number of Border Force officers at the port, including seasonal workforce to deal with the large volumes of passengers through the summer; introduced a new resourcing tool using live arrivals data and transit times to schedule the right number of officers at passport control for each flight; improved signage; and introduced a new style queuing system which feeds to multiple desks and allows for a continuous movement of passengers. <br><br>According to Border Force data, the performance at Stansted has been consistently above service level agreements throughout the summer, and has shown significant further improvement since the introduction of the new eGates on 15 August in time for the August Bank Holiday weekend (the busiest weekend of the year). The targets are to clear 95% of passengers within 25 minutes for EU/EEA nationals, and 45 minutes for non EU/EEA nationals.</p><p /> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 11/09/2014 17:01:54 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

89763

registered interest
date	29/08/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Stansted Airport
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contingency plans are in place to handle electronic failures at e-passport gates at Stansted Airport.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	207423
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2014 answer text <p>Electronic failures of e-passport gates at Stansted Airport are addressed by officers at the port, who have access to twenty four hour technical support. At Stansted, each bank of 5 e-Passport gates is on a different power circuit in order to mitigate the risk of power failure affecting all 15 gates at once.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 25/09/2014 15:58:10 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

89765

registered interest
date	29/08/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Stansted Airport
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much UK Border Force has spent at Stansted Airport in the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	207422
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>UK Border Force has spent £47 million at Stansted Airport in the last five years. This includes fixed team pay and non pay related costs for Border Force operations at Stansted. It does not include infrastructure costs.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 19/09/2014 11:06:00 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

79221

registered interest
date	22/07/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Travellers: Caravan Sites
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what powers his Department has made available to councils to deal with illegal Traveller sites; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	206832
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2014 answer text <p>Through the Localism Act we have strengthened enforcement measures, supporting local authorities to tackle unauthorised development by those who choose to ignore planning rules. These measures include powers to deal effectively with retrospective and misleading planning applications and an increase in the maximum fine for non-compliance with a notice requiring the conditions on planning permission to be met.</p><p>We have also lifted the previous Administration’s restrictions on the use of Temporary Stop Notices to enable councils to take early and effective action against unauthorised sites.</p><p>Our planning policy for traveller sites, issued in March 2012, removed the last Administration’s planning guidance (Circular 01/06) which restricted the ability of councils to initiate enforcement action. We are currently consulting on, amongst other matters, whether further improvements can be made to planning policy and guidance to deter intentional unauthorised occupation of land and to assist councils faced with large unauthorised developments.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-and-travellers-proposed-changes-to-planning-policy-and-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-and-travellers-proposed-changes-to-planning-policy-and-guidance</a></p><p>There are a range of powers available to deal with unauthorised sites and encampments. We have reviewed those powers and in August 2013 sent all council leaders updated guidance, reminding them to act swiftly against unauthorised occupation of public and private land. This was published on our website at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments-a-summary-of-available-powers" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments-a-summary-of-available-powers</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 18/09/2014 16:18:30 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

79247

registered interest
date	22/07/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Hospitals: Parking
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the average amount a full-time NHS worker spends on car parking on NHS sites each year.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	206831
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Estimates of the average amount a full time National Health Service worker spends on car parking on NHS sites each year are not made centrally. NHS organisations make decisions on the provision and charging for car parking locally for patients, visitors and staff.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Central Suffolk and North Ipswich answering member printed Dr Daniel Poulter question first answered 03/09/2014 13:58:10 answering member 3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

76258

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Fuels: EU Law
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the European Fuel Quality Directive Article 7a (a) on petrol prices and (b) generally.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	204433
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2014 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government takes the environmental implications of exploiting high carbon intensity crudes very seriously and fully supports the aim of the Fuel Quality Directive to reduce carbon emissions. We also believe that the accounting methodology must be proportionate in the burden placed on suppliers. The European Commission's proposals for a greenhouse gas intensity accounting methodology to implement Article 7a failed to receive agreement in 2012, and we await the publication of a revised proposal and impact assessment.</p><p> </p><p>The Department consulted on measures to implement Article 7(a –e) of the Directive between March and June 2011. The core costs envisaged in the impact assessment relate to putting in place a 6% greenhouse gas emissions savings target to 2020, the supply of biofuels and other compliance measures required to achieve these reductions. The costs of delivering such measures are subject to a very high degree of uncertainty given that EU negotiations on key elements for implementing the Directive have not yet concluded. Based on a range of provisional assumptions, it was estimated that, relative to the cost of policy currently in place, the impact in 2020 would be an increase of 0.5 pence per litre on petrol and 2.5 pence per litre on road diesel. A full analysis is presented in the impact assessment published on 10 March 2011 which can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-to-implement-articles-7a-to-7e-of-the-eu-fuel-quality-directive-fqd-directive-98-70-ec-as-amended-by-2009-30-ec-requiring-suppliers-to-reduce-the-lifecycle-greenshouse-gas-intensity-of-transport-fuels-and-introducing-sustaina" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-to-implement-articles-7a-to-7e-of-the-eu-fuel-quality-directive-fqd-directive-98-70-ec-as-amended-by-2009-30-ec-requiring-suppliers-to-reduce-the-lifecycle-greenshouse-gas-intensity-of-transport-fuels-and-introducing-sustaina</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has not yet set a trajectory for biofuel supply to meet the 6% greenhouse gas emissions savings target required in 2020. Any associated increase in targets for the supply of biofuel and other compliance measures would be the subject of a further consultation and a revised impact assessment which would carefully consider the impact on the motorist and the environment.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 15/07/2014 15:47:06 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

76269

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Tobacco: Packaging
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will conduct a separate consultation into the intellectual property implications of standardised tobacco packaging and its potential effect on the Exchequer.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	204639
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2014 answer text <p>The Government is currently holding a United Kingdom-wide consultation on introducing regulations for standardised packaging of tobacco products, which was published on 26 June. The consultation will run for six weeks and conclude on 7 August and we are seeking any new and relevant information that may help in assessing the wider impact of standardised packaging, including any views on the potential impact on intellectual property. We would encourage anyone with an interest in standardised packaging to respond to the consultation, including responding with any information or evidence relevant to the intellectual property implications of standardised tobacco packaging and its potential effect on the Exchequer.</p> answering member constituency Battersea answering member printed Jane Ellison grouped question UIN 204758 question first answered 15/07/2014 15:53:44 answering member 3918 label Biography information for Jane Ellison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

76376

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Patients: Transport
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients received hospital transport in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	204432
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2014 answer text <p>The following table shows how many patients received special/planned transport in each of the last five years.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>(millions)</p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p>2008-09<sup>1</sup></p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Special</p></td><td><p>0.08</p></td><td><p>0.06</p></td><td><p>0.05</p></td><td><p>0.04</p></td><td><p>0.03</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Planned</p></td><td><p>9.51</p></td><td><p>9.40</p></td><td><p>8.79</p></td><td><p>8.26</p></td><td><p>7.10</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Special/planned Total</p></td><td><p>9.59</p></td><td><p>9.47</p></td><td><p>8.84</p></td><td><p>8.29</p></td><td><p>7.13</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup>data for 2013-14 has not been published yet, therefore 2008-09 data has been included to complete the five year series.</p><p> </p><p>The total amount spent on hospital transport in each of the last five years by National Health Service trusts is shown in the following table:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p>Year</p></td><td rowspan="2"><p>NHS Trust spend (£000s)</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09<sup>1</sup></p></td><td><p>325,038</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>312,524</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>341,517</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>344,572</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>320,162</p></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup>NHS Trust spends for 2013-14 has not been published yet, therefore 2008-09 data has been included to complete the five year series.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The total amount spent on hospital transport in each of the last five years by foundation trusts (FTs) is shown in the following table:</p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p>Year</p></td><td rowspan="2"><p>FT Trust spend (£000s)</p></td><td rowspan="2"><p>Number of FTs at start of year<sup>1</sup></p></td><td rowspan="2"><p>Number of FTs at end of year<sup>1</sup></p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>21,800</p></td><td><p>115</p></td><td><p>129</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>21,735</p></td><td><p>129</p></td><td><p>136</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>23,195</p></td><td><p>136</p></td><td><p>143</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>25,149</p></td><td><p>143</p></td><td><p>145</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>25,915</p></td><td><p>145</p></td><td><p>147</p></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup>The changing amount of spend will be affected by more FTs being authorised each year. These figures include spend from the point at which FTs are authorised, including if mid-year.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Clinical commissioning groups also commission patient transport services; however, cost data is not collected centrally.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Information on the average cost of providing a patient with hospital transport is not collected centrally.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Battersea answering member printed Jane Ellison grouped question UIN 204431 204434 question first answered 15/07/2014 15:45:47 answering member 3918 label Biography information for Jane Ellison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon