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1128366

registered interest
date	22/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Overseas Students: Africa
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what grants are available to people living in Africa to help towards the cost of tuition fees at UK universities; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	257434
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>Scholarships are a key part of the UK’s soft power, creating lasting positive relations with future leaders, influencers and decision-makers around the world. Many scholars funded by the UK go on to take up senior leadership positions in their home countries, and the strong bond they have formed with the UK enhances our direct and indirect influence abroad.</p><p> </p><p>This enhances our diplomatic work, our efforts in promoting increased trade and investment and supports our national security through increased goodwill and cooperation.</p><p> </p><p>The Chevening Scholarship, sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), funds between 300-400 scholars a year from across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), 400-500 including North Africa. The FCO have awarded scholarships to over 8000 scholars across SSA since the programme began.</p><p> </p><p>In August 2018 my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced an additional £2.7 million to fund up to an extra 100 scholarships across SSA, and in May 2019 my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, announced a new pan-Sub-Saharan Africa Chevening Media Freedom Fellowship programme for 60 leading journalists to train in the UK over the next 5 years.</p><p> </p><p>The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, sponsored by the Department for International Development, funds approximately 313 scholars a year from across SSA to undertake Master’s, PhD and split-site study at UK universities.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 05/06/2019 12:44:08 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1127786

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Arts: Curriculum
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on the inclusion of music, dance and theatre in the school curriculum.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	256913
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department strongly believes that the arts form an important part of a broad and balanced National Curriculum, which is why art &amp; design, dance, drama and music are compulsory for pupils aged 5-14 in state-maintained schools. The arts contribute significantly towards our economy and can transform lives and introduce young people to a huge range of opportunities. As a result, the Department is providing nearly £500 million of funding between 2016 and 2020 for a diverse portfolio of arts and music education programmes. £300 million of this funding is ring-fenced to support music education. The Department funds other music, dance and drama programmes as well, and also provides opportunities for young people to attend Saturday Arts Clubs and visit museums.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:44:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1127632

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
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	Balloons and Sky Lanterns
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 recent assessment he has made of the potential risks of (a) helium balloon and (b) sky lantern releases; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	256216
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>An independent study commissioned by Defra and the Welsh Government published in 2013 suggested that while anecdotal reports and media coverage could imply that there is widespread concern from farming groups and others over the impacts of sky lanterns and helium balloons on the health and welfare of livestock, the evidence presented indicated that the number of cases reported each year of animals affected through ingestion of sky lantern and helium balloon debris is very small in the context of the wider livestock population..</p><p> </p><p>The Government has no plans for policy changes regarding the release of sky lanterns or helium balloons or to commission an update of the 2013 Report.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 23/05/2019 12:58:46 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1127633

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
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	Birds: Animal Welfare
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 potential merits of banning the practice of caging agricultural birds; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	256217
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare and the welfare of our farmed livestock in all systems is protected by comprehensive and robust legislation. This is backed up by statutory species specific welfare codes, which encourage high standards of husbandry and which keepers are required by law to have access to and be familiar with. Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors and local authorities conduct inspections on farms to check that the animal welfare standards are being met.</p><p> </p><p>Whatever the system of production, the most important factor in determining animal welfare is good stockmanship and the correct application of husbandry standards. This reflects the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee.</p><p> </p><p>We have already banned cages or close confinement systems where there is clear scientific evidence that they are detrimental to animal health and welfare. For example, we banned the use of conventional (‘battery’) cages for laying hens in 2012.</p><p> </p><p>The new statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens and Pullets, which came into force last year, provides improved and up-to-date guidance on welfare legislation and reflects the latest scientific and veterinary advice. I am aware that all major supermarkets have said they will stop selling eggs from hens kept in enriched cages by 2025.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 23/05/2019 11:19:32 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1126872

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	Trading Standards: Unfair Practices
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 sanctions Trading Standards is able to apply to companies which are found to be operating in unacceptable ways; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	254724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>Given the wide variety of legislation which Trading Standards can enforce, I am limiting my answer to consumer law.</p><p> </p><p>Where a company has committed a criminal breach of consumer law under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (2008), Trading Standards can prosecute in the criminal court and the court can impose a fine or imprisonment for a serious offence.</p><p> </p><p>However, there are no equivalent sanctions available to Trading Standards in the civil courts and the Government has therefore committed to introducing court based civil sanctions for breaches of civil law. We are also considering further options to ensure that our system of consumer protection provides a robust response to both local and national threats following the Modernising Consumer Markets Green Paper in 2018.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/05/2019 16:05:50 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1126873

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	Dangerous Dogs
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 he is taking against dog owners whose dogs have attacked (a) other dogs and (b) people; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	254725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence to allow a dog, of any breed or type, to be dangerously out of control. This includes instances where dogs attack other animals including dogs, as well as people. We have discussed this application of the 1991 Act with the police.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:40:48 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1126909

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	Horizon Nuclear Power
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 recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) the Government of Japan and (c) representatives of Hitachi on that company's policy on the development of nuclear power stations in the UK through Horizon Nuclear Power; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	254726
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>This Government continues to believe that nuclear energy has an important role to play in the UK’s future energy mix, but it must provide value for money for taxpayers and consumers. Talks with Hitachi and the Government of Japan in relation to the Wylfa Newydd project are continuing at an official level. As my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has stated to Parliament, we intend to publish an Energy White Paper in due course which will include an update on our approach to financing new nuclear.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 20/05/2019 16:05:57 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1126508

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Cystic Fibrosis: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress has been made on making (a) Orkambi and (b) Symkevi available on the NHS for people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	254113
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England are leading the dialogue with Vertex Pharmaceuticals on access to their portfolio of cystic fibrosis medicines, including Orkambi and Symkevi.</p><p>NHS England has proposed an offer that would represent the largest ever commitment of its kind in the history of the National Health Service - in the region of £500 million over five years - and would provide immediate access for patients to all Vertex licensed medicines in advance of assessment by NICE. The Government fully supports the approach that NICE and NHS England are adopting. It is crucial that patients have access to the most effective and innovative medicines at a price that represents value to the NHS.</p><p>My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care held a meeting on 11 March with all the parties to discuss how best to reach a deal so that people with cystic fibrosis and their families can benefit as soon as possible. Vertex, NICE and NHS England subsequently met on Thursday 21 March and have agreed to continue discussions.</p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 20/05/2019 16:00:42 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1126576

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
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	Caravan Sites
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2019 to Question, 251894 on Caravan Sites, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit owners of caravan holiday home parks from being able to make assessments of potential purchasers of caravans before granting authority for that sale; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	254114
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit owners of caravan holiday home parks to be able to make assessments of potential purchasers of caravans. However, we are engaging with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government about a range of issues relating to caravan parks and consumers.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/05/2019 16:05:15 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1125258

registered interest
date	08/05/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Ovarian Cancer
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	251890
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>Prevention is a key focus of the NHS Long Term Plan, which sets out plans to tackle risk factors for cancer such as obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking. This will have a significant impact on improving health, including for those who are at risk of developing ovarian cancer. Over the next 10 years the National Health Service will extend the use of molecular diagnostic testing and routine offering genomic testing to all patients with cancer for whom it would be of clinical benefit.</p><p>From 2019 we will start the roll-out of new Rapid Diagnostic Centres across the country to upgrade and bring together the latest diagnostic equipment and expertise, building on 10 models piloted with Cancer Research UK, which have focused on diagnosing cancers where patients often present with non-specific symptoms, often the case with ovarian cancer, and may go to their general practitioner many times before being sent for tests, such as blood and stomach cancers.</p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 13/05/2019 15:44:05 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson