In March, the UK and Overseas Territories discussed their commitments and timelines to implement public registers, either accessible to all members of the public or with access predicated on 'legitimate interest'. I [Minister Rutley] re-stated the UK's expectation that where public access is predicated on 'legitimate interest' this will include media and civil society, among others, and is an interim step to access for all members of the public. The FCDO is funding expert NGO, Open Ownership, to provide technical assistance to expedite implementation; they are providing advice to the governments of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Montserrat, St. Helena, and Turks and Caicos. Officials are conducting a stocktake of progress.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-21T08:35:23.007Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Overseas Territories: Companies"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent progress his Department has made on the introduction of public registers of ownership by British overseas territories.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4443", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carol Monaghan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carol Monaghan"} ], "uin" : "26505"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701457", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701457/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The department has assessed the impact of the third-party data measure in the regulatory impact assessment scrutinised and green-rated by the Regulatory Policy Committee. This was published on the 27th November 2023 as part of the supporting documentation for the Data Protection and Information Bill and is available here: Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: supporting documents - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> The department has fulfilled all the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and in line with our statutory duty keeps the impact of this measure on groups with protected characteristics under continuous review.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> In 22/23, DWP overpaid over £8bn due to fraud and error. This is unacceptable and we are taking robust steps to tackle this.<\/p> <\/p> The third party data legislation we are seeking is one such approach. The focus of this power will be about finding signals of potential benefit fraud and error.<\/p> The measure does not target a particular group of benefit claimant and we have tried and tested safeguarding procedures to protect vulnerable groups and will follow business as usual processes.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-23T11:07:35.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Chronic Illnesses"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill on the (a) physical and (b) mental wellbeing of people with (i) M.E. and (ii) other chronic diseases.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4443", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carol Monaghan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carol Monaghan"}
], "uin" : "22044"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682018", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682018/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The legal profession in England and Wales operates independently of government. The responsibility for regulating the sector sits with the approved regulators, overseen by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors, as well as most law firms in England and Wales. The SRA\u2019s role involves protecting clients and the public. The different ways in which they can provide support to consumers of legal services can be found on their website: SRA | What you can expect from us | Solicitors Regulation Authority<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> For clients based in Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland (TLSS) is the professional body responsible for regulating Scottish solicitors. They have confirmed that they are taking measures to meet their regulatory obligations and assist consumers impacted by the collapse of WW & J McClures. Advice for those affected by the collapse of McClures can be accessed on TLSS\u2019s website: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/law-society-news/mcclures-jones-whyte-faqs/<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> The Government is aware of the issues surrounding WW & J McClures collapse, which involve multiple regulators responding to former clients across Scotland, England and Wales. Government officials have spoken to the SRA, which has confirmed that it is aware of the issues at hand and is continuing to investigate them at a senior level. There are several routes in place to ensure consumers have access to support in the event of the collapse of their solicitor\u2019s law firm.<\/p> <\/p> The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) deals with service complaints against regulated legal services providers \u2013 including those who are no longer operational. Their website provides information with regards to the different routes available for consumers depending on their personal circumstances: Complaining about closed service providers | Legal Ombudsman<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> With regards to the issue of raising awareness among clients of McClures, there are requirements with respect to the advertising and publication of an insolvency so that creditors and other interested parties are made aware. The administration of McClures was advertised as required in the London Gazette<\/a>. Information for former clients of McClures in Scotland was also published by Law Society of Scotland<\/a>. In addition, for clients of McClures across Great Britain, Jones Whyte published an extensive list of FAQs<\/a>, covering the number of clients it had taken on, the steps it was taking to contact those clients, and the procedure for clients to transfer to another legal firm if they wished.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-18T12:18:19.683Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "McClure Solicitors: Insolvency"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to (a) support clients of McClure Solicitors and (b) ensure former clients are aware of the firm\u2019s collapse and the potential consequences for their legal arrangements.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4443", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carol Monaghan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carol Monaghan"}
], "uin" : "9542"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1676656", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1676656/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The table below shows the number of part 3b tests conducted in each quarter since April 2021 in the UK, Scotland and at Bishopbriggs test centre.<\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p><\/td> UK<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Scotland<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Bishopbriggs <\/strong> test centre<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Apr / May / Jun 2021<\/p><\/td> 18761<\/p><\/td> 1066<\/p><\/td> 0<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Jul / Aug / Sep 2021<\/p><\/td> 23595<\/p><\/td> 1491<\/p><\/td> 0<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Oct / Nov / Dec 2021<\/p><\/td> 27144<\/p><\/td> 1619<\/p><\/td> 0<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Jan / Feb / Mar 2022<\/p><\/td> 26391<\/p><\/td> 1742<\/p><\/td> 0<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Apr / May / Jun 2022<\/p><\/td> 28386<\/p><\/td> 2056<\/p><\/td> 39<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Jul / Aug / Sep 2022<\/p><\/td> 31128<\/p><\/td> 2181<\/p><\/td> 46<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Oct / Nov / Dec 2022<\/p><\/td> 28112<\/p><\/td> 1924<\/p><\/td> 45<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Jan / Feb / Mar 2023<\/p><\/td> 26334<\/p><\/td> 1825<\/p><\/td> 73<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Apr / May / June 2023<\/p><\/td> 22697<\/p><\/td> 1642<\/p><\/td> 71<\/p><\/td><\/tr> July / Aug / Sep 2023<\/p><\/td> 20544<\/p><\/td> 1351<\/p><\/td> 68<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-13T17:46:34.963Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-12-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Large Goods Vehicles: Driving Tests"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many publicly-booked Driver CPC part 3b tests were conducted in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Bishopbriggs Test Centre in each quarter since April 2021.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4443", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carol Monaghan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carol Monaghan"}
], "uin" : "5969"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1674387", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1674387/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As the database for part 3b test availability is live and constantly changing, it is not possible to accurately calculate the test availability that was available for booking at each historic point in time since April 2021.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-06T10:47:58.13Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-11-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Driving Tests: Large Goods Vehicles"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Driver CPC part 3b tests were available for public booking in each quarter since April 2021 in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Bishopbriggs Test Centre.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4443", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carol Monaghan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carol Monaghan"}
], "uin" : "4677"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1669909", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1669909/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As of the 31 of October 2023, the proportion of officials in the Department that are graded as senior civil servant 2 and are women on full time equivalent contracts is 64.9%. This figure was calculated by dividing the number of women at senior civil servant 2 grade on full time contracts by the total number of staff at senior civil servant 2 grade on full time contracts. This figure includes the Department, as well as its executive agencies \u2013 Education and Skills Funding Agency, Teaching Regulation Agency, Standard and Testing Agency.<\/p>