{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2014-10-27&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2014-10-27&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2014-10-27&_metadata=all&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-date=2014-10-27&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2014-10-27&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2014-10-27&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101020", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101020/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Research Councils routinely collect data on board and committee membership, application and success rates by gender and age and this is routinely reviewed. This shows that female membership of Councils, Boards and Committees increased between 2010/11 and 2012/13 with some variation between councils.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The dataset is available at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUK-prod/assets/documents/skills/GenderapplicantsAwardsNumber.pdf<\/a><\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101020/answer/previousversion/25401", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T16:43:50.0937275Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Research Councils: Grants"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect on gender diversity in research of the process by which the Research Councils award grants.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "212005"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100847", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100847/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government encourages UK cities to take up innovative initiatives and adopt modern technology to respond to developing urban needs.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government has set up the Smart Cities Forum to bring together cities, industry and experts to identify and explore emerging policy issues. In order to benefit from the experiences of other Governments and European cities, the Government is a partner in a commitment within the European Innovation Partnership to share best practice.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The Future Cities Catapult has been established as a Centre of Excellence and works to develop and support urban innovation. Projects in Glasgow, London, Bristol and Peterborough have been funded by Innovate UK to demonstrate and display smart applications to improve city services and quality of life.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

To ensure readiness to future developments, the Government Office for Science is undertaking the Foresight Future of Cities project, which explores opportunities and challenges facing UK cities over the next 50 years.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100847/answer/previousversion/25067", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T16:38:44.7265638Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Technology: Urban Areas"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress his Department has made with the Smart Cities programme; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211921"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100848", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100848/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Information on Verify is published at:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introducing-govuk-verify<\/a>

GOV.UK Verify provides the first opportunity for people to verify their identity entirely digitally.
The service has not yet been launched and is still in public beta. Performance data will be published in due course.<\/p>

Government Digital Service has not received representations from public sector providers of identity assurance<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Horsham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Francis Maude"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "211873"} , {"_value" : "211881"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T17:49:36.8412924Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electronic Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has received representations on a public sector provider of identity assurance during the Gov.uk Verify programme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211904"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100850", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100850/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Information on Verify is published at:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introducing-govuk-verify<\/a>

GOV.UK Verify provides the first opportunity for people to verify their identity entirely digitally.
The service has not yet been launched and is still in public beta. Performance data will be published in due course.<\/p>

Government Digital Service has not received representations from public sector providers of identity assurance<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Horsham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Francis Maude"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "211873"} , {"_value" : "211904"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T17:49:36.7631208Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electronic Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress his Department has made in introducing the Government identity assurance programme, Gov.uk Verify; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211881"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100852", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100852/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Information on Verify is published at:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introducing-govuk-verify<\/a>

GOV.UK Verify provides the first opportunity for people to verify their identity entirely digitally.
The service has not yet been launched and is still in public beta. Performance data will be published in due course.<\/p>

Government Digital Service has not received representations from public sector providers of identity assurance<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Horsham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Francis Maude"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "211881"} , {"_value" : "211904"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T17:49:36.5057614Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electronic Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful registrations of identity there have been through the Gov.uk Verify programme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211873"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100219", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100219/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

DFID\u2019s Digital Strategy 12 Months On Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-international-development-digital-strategy-2012-to-2015<\/a>) details our Department\u2019s progress during 2013. We will publish a report on our progress made during 2014 in December 2014. This will include updates on delivering better results, building capability in our staff, making it easy to do business with DFID (such as the new international development funding finder) and improving the way we communicate on major issues.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/55", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "New Forest West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Desmond Swayne"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-24T12:53:43.5745642Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electronic Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress her Department made towards achieving the departmental digital strategy objective of becoming digital by default.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211258"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100224", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100224/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Digital Advisory Panel has focused on the areas of work outlined in the DFID digital strategy and challenged the department to look at ways of improving how digital can support delivery of results in our development programmes, improve our internal business processes, and help us become more open and engaging. We will publish a report on our progress in December 2014.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/55", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "New Forest West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Desmond Swayne"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-24T12:54:42.9632287Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electronic Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress in digital service delivery her Department has made since setting up the Digital Advisory Panel.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211351"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/99784", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/99784/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Cabinet Office has supported 10 incubators through its £10M Social Incubator Fund.<\/p>

The incubators cover all areas of England, with six of the incubators located outside of London.<\/p>

<\/p>

Incubator <\/strong><\/p><\/td>

<\/p>

Geographical focus<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Social Incubator North<\/td>

North of England<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Social Incubator East<\/p><\/td>

East of England<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

SEEDbed<\/p><\/td>

South West of England<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Dotforge<\/p><\/td>

North of England<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Young Academy<\/p><\/td>

London, Nottingham and Derby<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Solve<\/p><\/td>

London and Birmingham / Black Country<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

The other four incubators (Wayra UnLtd, Bethnal Green Ventures, Big Issue Invest's Corporate Social Venturing and Health Social Innovators\u2019 Fund) are based in London but have a national focus.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1556", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Rob Wilson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Rob Wilson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-23T15:48:06.4129334Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Enterprises"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which social enterprise incubators outside London his Department supports.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211134"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/99908", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/99908/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Development Tracker was launched by the Secretary of State on 31 October 2013 to present project documents, budgets, transactions and locations of DFID projects in line with the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) open data standard. The Tracker has enabled a step change in public access to information on how UK development assistance is being used.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The Tracker is continually assessed and improved according to user need. The Tracker has 14000 visits and 80000 page views per month. There are 2442 email subscribers and 12949 email alerts were delivered in October 2014. Almost 60% of users are from the UK, with a wide range of users from countries where we work.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The Tracker has received positive feedback from users. In October 2014, DFID was ranked 2nd in the global Publish What You Fund Aid Transparency Index which noted that the Tracker represents \u201ca major step forward in improving the accessibility of information on UK development assistance by integrating IATI data for NGO implementing partners with its own data and that of other UK government departments\u201d.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/55", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "New Forest West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Desmond Swayne"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-23T16:44:36.4328344Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Overseas Aid"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Development Tracker; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "211151"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93479", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93479/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Planning is a quasi-judicial process; it is a long-standing feature of the planning system that there is a right of appeal, just as there are with other local quasi-judicial decisions such as on licensing applications, gambling applications or parking fines.<\/p>

<\/p>

Planning appeals are decided by independent planning inspectors on behalf of the Secretary of State, or in a small number of cases by the Secretary of State himself. Interested parties have a statutory right to make representations on planning appeals, and these representations are required to be taken into account by the decision maker. This allows proper democratic oversight of the appeals process.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Localism Act 2011 has strengthened the role of Local Plans and abolished the last Administration\u2019s top-down Regional Strategies. Our streamlined National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages areas to get up-to-date Local Plans in place, and we have been actively supporting councils in doing so. Local Plans now set the framework in which decisions on particular applications are taken, whether locally or at appeal, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.<\/p>

<\/p>

Once made a neighbourhood plan will also become part of the area\u2019s statutory development plan \u2014 an example of this Government\u2019s localist agenda. Both Local and Neighbourhood Plans are founded on thorough community involvement and are subject to independent examination and consultation. Over 1,200 communities have applied for a neighbourhood planning area to be designated, with over 1,000 areas now designated.<\/p>

<\/p>

Planning inspectors will take full account of all the evidence that is before them, including representations made by local residents and other interested parties. Each representation should be considered on their merits, paying careful regard to the relevant policy and material planning considerations.<\/p>

<\/p>

Since the National Planning Policy Framework was introduced, the number of appeals received has fallen as has the number allowed. The quality of local decisions also remains high\u201499% of decisions are made locally with only approximately 1% of planning applications overturned on appeal. Housing starts and housing construction are also up, as are permissions for new homes. This means there is more local decision-making, and our reforms are supporting badly-needed new homes within a locally-led planning system.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4009", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Brandon Lewis"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T16:08:14.4302812Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Planning Permission: Appeals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of democratic oversight of local planning decisions when appealed; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"} ], "uin" : "210798"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&max-date=2014-10-27&creator.label=Biography+information+for+Chi+Onwurah", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 97, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }