UK Visas & Immigration closed no Visa Application Centres in Africa between 2017 and 2019. However, in the same period we opened additional centres in Kenya (Mombasa), Morocco (Casablanca) and Algeria (Oran). We have also introduced an annual Visa Application Centre in the Seychelles for our customers applying for student visas.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4455", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Kennedy"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Ribble"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Seema Kennedy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:41:37.943Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Visas: Africa"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which UK visa application centres in Africa were closed between 2017 and 2019.", "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" : "266255"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142391", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142391/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4361", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Warman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Boston and Skegness"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matt Warman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T14:55:49.76Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Artificial Intelligence: Public Sector"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of creating a standardised procurement code for privately developed algorithms used in the public sector which includes mandatory human rights, data protection and equality impact assessments.", "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" : "282345"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142392", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142392/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have noted the Law Society of England and Wales\u2019 report with interest. We recognise the importance of ethics when designing AI systems for use in the criminal justice system. The Government is committed to the better use and management of data and algorithmic tools.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T09:02:31.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Administration of Justice: Artificial Intelligence"} , "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, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Law Society\u2019s recommendation that the Government create (a) a statutory code of practice for the use of algorithms in the justice system and (b) a national register of algorithms in the justice system.", "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" : "282346"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146250", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146250/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Currently nanotechnology used in medicine is regulated under the legislation that applies to medical devices and medicinal products.<\/p>
The medical device regulations require that all medical devices are safe and perform as intended. The regulations have recently been updated and the new regulations include specific requirements for medical devices containing nanomaterials. This means that any medical device containing nanomaterials will be subject to more detailed regulatory scrutiny than under the current regulations.<\/p>
As with all medicinal products, before a nanomedicine is granted a marketing authorisation and becomes available in the United Kingdom, it must be fully evaluated in relation to the appropriate standards required in the relevant legislation on medicinal products. In addition, specific scientific guidelines on nanomedicines have been developed to help medicines developers prepare marketing authorisation applications for nanomedicines.<\/p>
No specific assessment of the regulatory framework for the use of nanotechnology in medicine has been undertaken.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nadine Dorries"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-30T12:03:27.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Medical Treatments: Nanotechnology"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Prime Minister's speech to the UN on 24 September 2019, what assessment he has made of the regulatory framework for the use of nanotechnology in medicine.", "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" : "291007"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146254", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146254/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation. <\/em><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4361", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Warman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Boston and Skegness"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matt Warman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-08T15:56:26.257Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Technology: Conferences"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Prime Minister's speech at the United Nations on 24 September 2019, what (a) plans she has made and (b) public consultation she plans to conduct in relation to the London summit on tech; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the public opinion will be represented.", "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" : "291009"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146257", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146257/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government takes the protection of personal data extremely seriously. The Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and the GDPR are in place to ensure that organisations who collect and use data do so lawfully and transparently.<\/p> <\/p> The rules included in the DPA 2018 and the GDPR impose strict obligations on organisations to process people\u2019s data fairly and lawfully and to ensure that any data collected is held securely. Organisations must also ensure they have a legal basis for processing data, are clear and transparent about how personal data will be handled, and ensure that the data is processed in a way which individuals would expect. Organisations that fail to comply may be subject to enforcement action by the Information Commissioner\u2019s Office.<\/p> <\/p> We have also issued a Code of Practice for organisations involved in the development, manufacturing and retail of products linked to the \u2018Internet of Things\u2019 to ensure that products are designed securely and keep consumers safe. In parallel, we have published consumer guidance to raise public awareness about setting-up, managing and improving the security of their consumer devices. The code of practice and guidance for consumers can be viewed at the following links:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secure-by-design/code-of-practice-for-consumer-iot-security<\/a><\/p> <\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secure-by-design/consumer-guidance-for-smart-devices-in-the-home<\/a><\/p> <\/p> The Government also set up the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation last year to ensure that data and AI-driven innovations continue to deliver maximum benefits for society. The UK already benefits from a world-class regulatory regime, and the Centre will build on this by providing independent, expert advice on responding to the rapidly evolving way in which data is impacting our lives.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4057", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Adams"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Selby and Ainsty"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Adams"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "291016"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-01T16:08:36.74Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Internet: Data Protection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Prime Minister's speech to the UN Assembly on 24 September 2019, what steps she is taking to develop a data framework for the internet of things to regulate the use of that data by companies.", "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" : "291011"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146261", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146261/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " DFID\u2019s support to clean energy in Africa is delivered through a range of programmes. We provide funding to support the installation of more off-grid solar power such as through mini-grid projects (e.g. in Kenya and Rwanda). We are helping to establish markets in a number of African countries for household solar power so poor people have access to affordable clean energy. We are also supporting private sector solar projects through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and development finance interventions such as CDC, the Private Infrastructure Development Group, and the Multilateral Development Banks.<\/p> <\/p> Over the last seven years the UK has provided 26 million people with improved access to clean energy and installed 1,600 MW of clean energy capacity.<\/p> <\/p> At the G7, the Prime Minister announced the UK would double its support to the GCF, the principal climate multilateral, to £1.44bn over the next four years, to help developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change and shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as solar power. A range of existing GCF projects are supporting solar power in Africa. For example a GCF project is helping 50 poor, rural communities in Mali to switch from fossil fuel-powered diesel generators and kerosene lamps to green energy by installing solar mini-grids.<\/p> <\/p> The Prime Minister announced at the UN Climate Action Summit funding of up to £1 billion for research, development and demonstration of new technologies and business models to unlock opportunities in developing countries for cleaner growth and better access to clean energy. Emerging technology areas to be supported include for example, energy storage, new cooling technologies, next generation solar, and technologies for industrial decarbonisation.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Richmond Park"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Zac Goldsmith"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-30T17:11:02.623Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Africa: Renewable Energy"}
, "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, with reference to the Prime Minister's support for solar technology in African countries in his speech to the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2019, what steps the Government is taking to support (a) solar projects in Africa and (b) the sharing of renewable technology.", "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" : "291013"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146264", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146264/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Government funding and leadership, alongside private sector investment, has supported the installation of more than 21,000 public chargepoints. This includes over 2,100 rapid chargepoints \u2013 one of the largest networks in Europe. The Government has already allocated further funding. In August it was announced that funding for local authorities through the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) would be doubled this financial year increasing from £2.5 to £5 million. Since 2017, 54 local authorities have applied and the ORCS will have helped deliver approximately 2500 chargepoints by the end of March 2020. Earlier this month the Treasury launched a £400m public-private Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the first £70 million allocated for 3000 rapid chargepoints, which will double the number across the UK.<\/p> <\/p> In July, it was announced that the Government would launch a review into the national core rapid charging network along motorways and major A roads. We also want to ensure that chargepoints are easily accessible for all drivers which is why the Government announced in July that we want to see all new rapid and higher powered chargepoints provide debit or credit card payment by spring 2020.<\/p> <\/p> Most charging will continue to happen at people\u2019s homes or workplaces. To support this we have launched a consultation, running from July to October 2019, on proposals for new private chargepoints to have smart functionality and related minimum device standards. Smart functionality will enable electric vehicles to charge off peak, reducing costs for consumers and demands on the energy system. We are also consulting to the same timescale on changing Building Regulations to require a chargepoint in every new home where there is an appropriate parking space, and minimum infrastructure provision in new non-residential buildings.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-30T14:48:15.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Finance"}
, "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Prime Minister's speech to the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2019 in support of electric cars, whether she has plans to allocate additional funding to support the electric vehicle network; and what progress she has made on the development of that network.", "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" : "291015"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146266", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146266/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government takes the protection of personal data extremely seriously. The Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and the GDPR are in place to ensure that organisations who collect and use data do so lawfully and transparently.<\/p> <\/p> The rules included in the DPA 2018 and the GDPR impose strict obligations on organisations to process people\u2019s data fairly and lawfully and to ensure that any data collected is held securely. Organisations must also ensure they have a legal basis for processing data, are clear and transparent about how personal data will be handled, and ensure that the data is processed in a way which individuals would expect. Organisations that fail to comply may be subject to enforcement action by the Information Commissioner\u2019s Office.<\/p> <\/p> We have also issued a Code of Practice for organisations involved in the development, manufacturing and retail of products linked to the \u2018Internet of Things\u2019 to ensure that products are designed securely and keep consumers safe. In parallel, we have published consumer guidance to raise public awareness about setting-up, managing and improving the security of their consumer devices. The code of practice and guidance for consumers can be viewed at the following links:<\/p>