In line with the commitment made by my predecessor to begin to publish annually the performance of departments on their promptness in dealing with QWAs (HL Deb 8 May 2014, col 1575), I have today published data on departmental performance in answering Questions for Written Answer for the 2014/15 session (HLWS39). I am pleased to say that, overall, 91% of Questions for Written Answer were answered within the expected 10 working days in the last session.<\/p>
I will continue to publish departmental performance data on an annual basis to enable performance to be compared over time. My office will also continue to work with all departments to ensure prompt and comprehensive responses to all Questions for Written Answer.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4205", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Stowell of Beeston"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Stowell of Beeston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T16:37:10.727Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Written Questions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Bridges of Headley on 3 June (HLWS10), whether they will publish figures on the response rates to questions for written answer during the 2010\u201315 Parliament along similar lines.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"}
], "uin" : "HL256"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348487", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348487/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Food Standards Agency advises that there are no available comparisons of campylobacter levels between chickens imported into the United Kingdom from outside the European Union and chickens produced in the UK. Chicken imported from outside the EU is not assessed for levels of campylobacter as most chicken imported into the UK is frozen. The European Food Standards Authority has indicated that a greater than 90% risk reduction from campylobacter can be obtained by freezing carcases for two to three weeks.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/127", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Prior of Brampton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T15:50:32.863Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Poultry: Campylobacter"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the level of campylobacter in imported chickens and chicken meat and how it compares to the level found in their recent study of chickens produced in the United Kingdom.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL259"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348496", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348496/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the last 12 months there has been an increase of 238,000 disabled people in work. That is really positive, but there is more to do.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have been very clear that the gap between the employment rates of disabled people and non-disabled people remains too big and have committed to halving it.<\/p>
<\/p>
Government cannot achieve this ambition alone so we are working closely with disabled people, their organisations, employers and employment support providers to develop our strategy to enable more disabled people to get into, remain in and progress in work.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Disability Confident Campaign, which actively promotes the Access to Work scheme, is key to supporting employers in working with Government to halve the disability employment gap.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Altmann"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Altmann"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T11:45:10.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment: Disability"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps they are taking to end the disability employment gap.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Touhig"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Touhig"} ], "uin" : "HL268"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348499", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348499/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Over £14million has been invested over the last two financial years to support activities aimed at increasing the completeness and accuracy of the register, including in the run up to the General Election. In addition, Electoral Registration Officers have been provided with grant funding in the current financial year of £20million. The Electoral Commission is due to publish its latest analysis of the electoral register later this month, including the impact of activity to promote registration before the election, and it is important to consider any further steps in light of this report.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4535", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bridges of Headley"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bridges of Headley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T16:04:02.967Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electoral Register"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, in the light of the number of people currently not on the electoral register and the reported risk that this will increase with the implementation of individual registration, how much they plan to spend in the current financial year to support local authorities to ensure that the register is as complete as possible.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4181", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Beecham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Beecham"} ], "uin" : "HL271"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348500", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348500/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Charter of the Forest was an important document in its own right when it was issued by Henry III in 1217 at the same time as a re-issue of Magna Carta. The Charter re-established rights of access to the forest for free men that had been eroded over the time. However, although the provisions of the Charter of the Forest remained in force for a number of centuries, it has not enjoyed the same lasting and worldwide recognition as Magna Carta, which has had an enduring significance on the development of the concept of the rule of law.<\/p>
<\/p>
Consequently, while the Government is actively supporting the celebration of the 800 anniversary of Magna Carta this year, it has no plans to mark and celebrate the 800th<\/sup> anniversary of the Charter of the Forest.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL273"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T14:43:57.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Charter of the Forest"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what plans they have to mark and celebrate the 800th in 2017 anniversary of the granting of the Charter of the Forest.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer"}
], "uin" : "HL272"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348501", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348501/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Charter of the Forest was an important document in its own right when it was issued by Henry III in 1217 at the same time as a re-issue of Magna Carta. The Charter re-established rights of access to the forest for free men that had been eroded over the time. However, although the provisions of the Charter of the Forest remained in force for a number of centuries, it has not enjoyed the same lasting and worldwide recognition as Magna Carta, which has had an enduring significance on the development of the concept of the rule of law.<\/p> <\/p> Consequently, while the Government is actively supporting the celebration of the 800 anniversary of Magna Carta this year, it has no plans to mark and celebrate the 800th<\/sup> anniversary of the Charter of the Forest.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL272"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T14:43:57.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Charter of the Forest"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they will mark the 800th anniversary in 2017 of the granting of the Charter of the Forest in a similar way to that in which the Magna Carta is being marked this year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer"}
], "uin" : "HL273"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348507", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348507/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government wishes to ensure that brownfield land is prioritised and used as much as possible for new development. We will require local authorities to have a register of suitable brownfield sites and ensure 90 per cent of suitable sites have planning permission for housing by 2020. Our planning guidance stresses the importance of bringing brownfield land back into use and encourages councils to use other local plan policies to promote the viability of brownfield across the local area.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T11:42:08.267Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Derelict Land"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what flexibility the National Planning Policy Framework gives to local authorities to prioritise the development of brownfield sites over greenfield land in local plans; and whether they propose to amend the National Planning Policy Framework in order to allow local authorities to strengthen such local policies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Greaves"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Greaves"}
], "uin" : "HL279"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348573", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Culture Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348573/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Superfast broadband coverage is available to over 80% of UK premises and the Government remains committed to providing 95% coverage to homes and businesses by December 2017.<\/p> <\/p> Commercial broadband delivery is expected to cover 13,862 premises in the North Devon constituency. By the end of the Connecting Devon and Somerset project, coverage is expected to have increased to 39,744 premises.<\/p> <\/p> This data is included in the table in the House of Commons Library: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/commons/deposited-papers/?house=1&search_term=Department+for+Culture%2c+Media+and+Sport&itemId=122028#toggle-163<\/a><\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wantage"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Edward Vaizey"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-23T15:47:11.773Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Broadband: North Devon"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he plans to take in further extending the availability of superfast broadband in North Devon constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4524", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Peter Heaton-Jones"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Devon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Peter Heaton-Jones"}
], "uin" : "1157"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348595", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Culture Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348595/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Current superfast broadband coverage is over 80% of UK premises and the Government remains committed to providing 95% coverage to homes and businesses by December 2017. This is an increase from 45% coverage in 2010.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>
Commercial broadband delivery is expected to cover 44,575 premises in the Torbay constituency. By the end of the Connecting Devon and Somerset project, coverage is expected to have increased to 49,101 premises.<\/p>