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1247106

registered interest
date	30/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed 2 Line: Iron and Steel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to introduce a minimum proportion usage of UK steel in HS2.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	109187
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2020 answer text <p>The contractors involved in the delivery of HS2 have only recently commenced their procurement of steel for HS2 and therefore it is not possible to determine at this time what percentage of that steel will be British, but, the Government’s guidance on the procurement of steel was published in November 2015 and subsequently updated in December 2016. All major government projects are required to take cognisance of the Crown Commercial Service Procurement Policy Note 11/16: “Procuring Steel in Major Projects - Revised Guidance” (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1116-procuring-steel-in-major-projects-revised-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1116-procuring-steel-in-major-projects-revised-guidance</a> ).</p><p> </p><p>Whilst HS2 Ltd does not directly buy steel, it does apply a strategic and transparent approach to the sourcing of steel for the HS2 Programme through its Tier 1 contractors and their supply chains. HS2 Ltd is governed by the Utility Contract Regulations and ensures a fair procurement process which complies the with UK procurement law and the Government policy on the procurement of steel. I can confirm that the UK steel industry is already delivering for HS2 including 1,130 tonnes from Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge. Celsa Steel in Cardiff for 1,800 tonnes of loose steel and rebar. Caunton Engineering in Nottinghamshire for 2,400 tonnes of structural steel.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 06/11/2020 11:17:07 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1247107

registered interest
date	30/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government's covid-19 guidance has affected the legal obligations foster carers have to facilitate meetings with birth parents.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	109188
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2020 answer text <p>There are no legal obligations placed upon foster carers to facilitate birth family meetings. Arrangements for children to keep in touch with their family are set out by courts or in care plans. Foster parents will necessarily be involved in ensuring that the child in their care is able and supported to attend those meetings, and they may therefore have a role in facilitating or hosting birth families.</p><p>Ultimately, contact arrangements should be focused on, and shaped around, the child’s needs. Maintaining contact is crucial to help children and young people develop their identity and history, and to understand their lives and their sense of self. However, the child’s welfare is the paramount consideration at all times, and each child’s wishes and needs for contact should be individually considered and regularly assessed.</p><p>The department's guidance on vulnerable children describes how children living in care can stay in touch with their family during the COVID-19 outbreak. Contact arrangements should be assessed on a case by case basis taking into account a range of factors including the government’s social distancing guidance and the needs of the child. Additional information can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 06/11/2020 10:58:59 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1247108

registered interest
date	30/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Sailing Boats: Quarantine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether seafarers working on private yachts that enter the UK are required to self-isolate.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	109189
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>The list of exemptions to the requirement to self-isolate includes an exemption for ‘Seamen and masters as defined in section 313(1) Merchant Shipping Act 1995, maritime pilots as defined in para 22(1) of schedule 3A of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, and inspectors and surveyors of ships appointed under section 256 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 or by a government of a relevant British possession as defined in section 313(1) of that Act.’</p><p> </p><p>It is the responsibility of the individual, or their employer, to determine whether they may qualify for an exemption and, where they do, ensure they travel with the appropriate supporting documentation.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Witney answering member printed Robert Courts question first answered 09/11/2020 14:37:38 answering member 4589 label Biography information for Robert Courts
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1247501

registered interest
date	30/10/2020
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	Speech and Language Therapy: Waiting Lists
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 his Department is taking to reduce waiting lists for NHS speech and language sessions.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	109190
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2020 answer text <p>We want routine NHS services such as speech and language therapy to return for patients as quickly as possible, but this must be done in a safe and managed way. With a rise in COVID-19 activity, we have been clear that non-COVID-19 services will be maintained as far as possible. Trusts, working with general practitioner practices, have been asked to ensure that every patient whose planned care has been disrupted by COVID-19 receives clear communication about how they will be looked after, and who to contact if their clinical circumstances change. Clinically urgent patients should continue to be treated first, with priority then given to the longest waiting patients specifically those breaching or at risk of breaching 52 weeks by the end of March 2021.</p><p>In the longer term, a critical element of reducing waiting lists for speech and language therapy is ensuring we recruit and retain the workforce needed to meet demand for services. To encourage students to study nursing, midwifery or one of the allied health subjects, including speech and language therapy, from September 2020 the Government has made available additional maintenance grant funding of at least £5,000 per academic year, for new and continuing students at English universities. In addition, students with child dependants will benefit from an extra £1,000.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 24/11/2020 21:22:33 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1247655

registered interest
date	30/10/2020
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	Care Homes: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has issued guidance to care homes on prohibiting window visits by relatives.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	109191
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2020 answer text <p>Receiving visitors is a very important part of care home life. Maintaining some opportunities for visiting to take place is critical for supporting the health and wellbeing of residents and their relationships with friends and family.</p><p>On 5 November we published guidance to enable COVID-19-secure visits to take place for care home residents while national restrictions are in force. This guidance encourages providers, supported by local professionals, families and the wider community, to provide appropriate visiting opportunities, that balance these important benefits against the continued priority of preventing infections to protect staff and residents.</p><p>This guidance states that window visits can take place.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 03/12/2020 12:03:25 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1245596

registered interest
date	21/10/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with local authorities on the Government’s policy to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	106907
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Ministry of Defence (MOD) Ministers regularly discuss the Armed Forces Covenant with local authorities and representative bodies. MOD officials have written to Chief Executives and included local authorities from across the UK in group discussions on the Secretary of State's legislative proposals, to gather views and explain the impact of legislation, particularly with regard to new burdens. Individual meetings are also held with local authorities who request them. Collaboration will intensify further, as local authorities work with Government on guidance which will accompany legislation.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 02/11/2020 11:05:48 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1245105

registered interest
date	20/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed 2 Line: Iron and Steel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether steel produced in the UK will be prioritised for High Speed Two.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	106224
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2020 answer text <p>The contractors involved in the delivery of HS2 have only recently commenced their procurement of steel for HS2 and therefore it is not possible to determine at this time what % of that steel be British, but, the Government’s guidance on the procurement of steel was published in November 2015 and subsequently updated in December 2016. All major government projects are required to take cognisance of the Crown Commercial Service Procurement Policy Note 11/16: “Procuring Steel in Major Projects - Revised Guidance” (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1116-procuring-steel-in-major-projects-revised-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1116-procuring-steel-in-major-projects-revised-guidance</a> ).</p><p> </p><p>Whilst HS2 Ltd. does not directly buy steel, it does apply a strategic and transparent approach to the sourcing of steel for the HS2 Programme through its Tier 1 contractors and their supply chains. HS2 Ltd ensures a fair procurement process which complies with UK procurement law and the Government policy on the procurement of steel.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 23/10/2020 12:24:37 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1245107

registered interest
date	20/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed 2 Line: Business
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of setting a minimum threshold for the involvement of UK companies in the High Speed Two project.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	106225
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department for Transport has not assessed the potential merits of setting a minimum threshold for the involvement of UK PLC in HS2. UK procurement law does not permit public sector bodies to set targets for goods and services based on country-specific locations. However, HS2 Ltd has an excellent track record of supporting British businesses; over 2,000 businesses have delivered work so far on HS2, of which 98% are UK-based, and 70% of which are SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>The project already has 13,000 workers in the UK employed on it and the construction of Phase One will see HS2 create and sustain a further 22,000 jobs over the coming years, with many more in businesses and factories around the country through an estimated 400,000 supply chain contract opportunities. HS2 Ltd estimate that 95% of those contract opportunities will be won by UK based businesses, with around two thirds being SMEs.HS2 Ltd continues to undertake procurement activity in line with the established legal framework governed by the Utilities Contracts Regulations under which it operates.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 28/10/2020 14:33:02 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1245108

registered interest
date	20/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed 2 Line: Supply Chains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Treasury's Green Book provides scope for his Department to prioritise the UK supply chain in the High Speed Two project.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	106226
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2020 answer text <p>HS2 Ltd operates in line with current UK public procurement law, specifically the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016. It is therefore a legal requirement that, across the project, it conducts all procurement activity on a fair, equal and transparent basis that does not discriminate by location. While complying to these principles, the High Speed Two project continues to provide significant opportunities for the UK supply chain with 97% of businesses in the supply chain being UK businesses.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 28/10/2020 14:28:22 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1244406

registered interest
date	19/10/2020
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	Weddings: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the evidence for his decision that wedding venues cannot be made covid-secure in the same way as other hospitality venues.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	105298
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>The number of people who can attend a wedding or a wedding celebration is 15 people depending on local restrictions. Weddings remain exempt from the rule of six. We understand these guidelines may be difficult for couples and venues and are keeping them under constant review.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 22/10/2020 16:29:02 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones