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1141634

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
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	Mental Illness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of living in (a) an urban and (b) a rural environment on levels of mental illness.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	281621
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Public Health England and the Local Government Association published the report, Health and Wellbeing in Rural Areas in 2017 at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/1.39_Health%20in%20rural%20areas_WEB.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/1.39_Health%20in%20rural%20areas_WEB.pdf</a></p><p>The report highlights the variation in social factors that impact people in rural and urban areas, including factors that influence mental health and wellbeing.</p><p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published guidance to help policy makers assess the impact of policies on rural communities, recognising the specific issues faced by these communities at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/600450/rural-proofing-guidance.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/600450/rural-proofing-guidance.pdf</a></p><p>Scores from the General Health Questionnaire <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychometrics" target="_blank">psychometric</a> screening tool show that people living in greener areas experienced significantly lower levels of mental distress while life satisfaction scores show significantly higher levels of wellbeing among people living in greener areas.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 09/09/2019 17:45:39 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1141891

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Private Sector
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Written Statement of 22 July 2019 on Prisons and Probation, HCWS1783, what assessment he has made of how partnering with the private sector to operate prisons offers value for money.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	281832
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>A balanced estate, with a mix of public, voluntary and private sector involvement has been shown to introduce improvements and deliver value for money for the taxpayer. The private sector has an important role to play in our system; it has led the way in driving innovation in areas such as in-cell technology and family support services.</p><p> </p><p>Some privately run prisons are among the best performing across the estate. For example, HM Inspectorate of Prisons said in July 2018 that Oakwood is an “impressive prison” and found it to be reasonably good or better on all four healthy prison tests (safety, respect, purposeful activity, and rehabilitation and release planning). General living conditions, staff-prisoner relationships and prisoner consultation were reported to be very good or excellent.</p><p> </p><p>To manage the performance indicators set out in the contracts, each privately managed prison has a full-time on-site Controller, Deputy Controller and Assistant Controller, all employed by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The Controller has regular review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect numbers of staff in post, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition. Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the Controller and escalated within HMPPS where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. This may include a requirement for urgent improvement and/or financial deductions.</p><p> </p><p>The Prison Operator Framework will increase the diversity and resilience of the custodial services market in England and Wales, by creating a pool of prison operators who can provide high quality, value for money, custodial services and enable us to effectively and efficiently manage a pipeline of competition over the next six years. The MoJ sets out very clearly the standards that all private prison operators are required to deliver. Bids will be subject to value for money and affordability tests. Contracts will not be awarded if bids do not meet quality or value for money thresholds based on a public sector benchmark, and in this scenario, HMPPS would act as the provider.</p><p> </p><p>Although privately managed prisons do face many of the same challenges encountered in public sector prisons, by providing good quality custodial and rehabilitation services, private operators are helping us to reduce reoffending and deliver long term savings to the taxpayer.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 03/09/2019 14:37:37 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1141698

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Hercules Aircraft
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what refitting and retrofitting has been performed on the 14 C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft to allow OSD to be extended for a further five years.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	281650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>A number of activities are being undertaken to extend the out of service date of the RAF's C-130J/C-130J-30 fleet to 2035. Work commenced in March this year to replace the centre wing sections of the aircraft. In addition, work is scheduled to commence next year to replace the current steel brakes with carbon ones, and additional modifications will also be made to upgrade aircraft avionics systems.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 03/09/2019 13:31:43 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1141792

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
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	Insolvency
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 she will make an assessment of the potential for pre-packaged administrations to be open to abuse as a way of passing on pension liabilities to the Pension Protection Fund.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
uin	281706
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>A pre-packaged sale in administration, whereby the sale of all or part of the business is arranged prior to the company entering formal insolvency and realised on or immediately after the appointment of the administrator, is a valuable business rescue tool. Pre-pack sales help to avoid a deterioration of the value of the company’s business between appointment of the administrator and sale, meaning there is more money available for creditors, including the pension scheme. In most cases where pre-packs are used, the only alternative would be the collapse of the business and the loss of all employees’ jobs.</p><p> </p><p>The government is aware of concerns about the transparency of pre-pack sales, particularly where a business is sold to a person connected with the old company. It is currently evaluating whether legislative measures are necessary to regulate pre-pack sales to a connected person, following a review of a package of voluntary industry measures implemented in 2015 to improve creditor confidence in pre-packs. As part of the review the government liaised with the Pension Protection Fund, which made clear in its response to concerns raised by the Chair of the Department of Work and Pensions Select Committee, that it does not fundamentally take issue with pre-packs but where there are concerns, these are referred to the Pensions Regulator for investigation.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 03/09/2019 15:19:42 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1141734

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Aberdeen Airport
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of Aberdeen City airport to the UK economy.
tabling member constituency	West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
tabling member printed	Andrew Bowie
uin	281798
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2019 answer text <p>AGS Airports who own and operate the airport, suggest that Aberdeen International Airport contributes more than £110 million a year to the local economy. Approximately 300 people are employed directly by the airport which supports 3,400 jobs across the north-east of Scotland.</p><p> </p><p /><p><br></p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 04/09/2019 12:08:08 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4601 label Biography information for Andrew Bowie

1141760

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Wealth
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to narrow wealth differentials between the richest and poorest (a) individuals, (b) regions, (c) counties and (d) constituencies.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	281595
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>Addressing inequalities is an important consideration for this Government, and steps have already been taken to ensure those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden. That is why we have introduced reforms to dividend taxation and capital gains tax, and ended permanent non-domicile status – to ensure the rich pay their fair share. This has led to the top 1% of income taxpayers paying 29% of income tax – a record high.</p><p> </p><p>This Government is also committed to ensuring opportunities are shared in every part of the country. People across all regions are benefitting from investments the Government is making. For example, since 2015, £12bn from the Local Growth Fund has been provided to local enterprise partnerships for projects that benefit the local area and economy. In addition to this, our new £3.6 billion Towns Fund will level up opportunity and create places across the UK where people want to live and thrive – supporting an initial 100 towns.</p><p> </p><p>By supporting all places to reach their potential, we can drive growth at a national level and readily share the benefits of a more prosperous United Kingdom.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 05/09/2019 16:04:18 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1141758

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Devolution: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on further devolution of power to devolved authorities.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	281593
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>All sections of the Scotland Act 2016 that increase the powers of the Scottish Parliament are now in force. The Scottish Parliament will now be able to legislate in every area where the Scotland Act 2016 has given it the power to do so. The Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare continues to meet as a forum for discussion and decision-making to ensure the implementation of welfare and employment-related aspects of the Scotland Act 2016. The most recent meeting was held on 27th June 2019.</p><p><br>The devolution of tax and borrowing powers to Scotland has increased the accountability of the Scottish Government.</p><p>The Government has been clear that it expects that EU exit will lead to an increase in decision-making powers for the devolved administrations. The Government remains focussed on implementing the existing devolution settlements and undertaking detailed monitoring and evaluation in order to be able to assess the impact of devolution as we consider further decentralisation.</p> answering member constituency Hertsmere answering member printed Oliver Dowden question first answered 03/09/2019 08:53:51 answering member 4441 label Biography information for Oliver Dowden
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1141937

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Northern Ireland Office: Art Works
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 15 July (HL17173, HL17174, and HL17175), whether any compensation paid to civil servants has been indicated in the Northern Ireland Office accounting records.
tabling member printed	Lord Rogan
uin	HL17481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2019 answer text <p>Any compensation payments would be accounted for by the Northern Ireland Office in line with the guidance in <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742188/Managing_Public_Money__MPM__2018.pdf" target="_blank">Managing Public Money</a>. Individual payments of more than the threshold required under Managing Public Money would be noted separately. Any compensation paid in respect of litigation would be determined with reference to legal advice.</p><p> </p><p>In line with previous responses, the Northern Ireland Office will keep its obligations under review to ensure its requirements under fair employment legislation are met.</p><p> </p><p>As I answered previously, information on employees’ personal data is sensitive, in order to comply with DPA requirements, and so I am unable to comment further.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Images displayed in Stormont House are refreshed at regular intervals. Current images displayed reflect the culture and landscapes of Northern Ireland. These are in keeping with the rest of the building decor. We have no plans to review this policy.</p><p> </p><p>Royal portraits hang on public display at Hillsborough Castle, and also in the London Office occupied by the Northern Ireland Office. Other pictures of the Queen are displayed at Stormont House.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank grouped question UIN HL17482 HL17483 question first answered 31/07/2019 13:26:32 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
tabling member	2478 label Biography information for Lord Rogan

1141938

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Northern Ireland Office: Art Works
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 15 July (HL17173, HL17174, and HL17175), whether a decision was made to remove images of the Royal Family in Stormont House; if so, who made that decision; and whether any Northern Ireland Office ministers intend to review that policy.
tabling member printed	Lord Rogan
uin	HL17482
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2019 answer text <p>Any compensation payments would be accounted for by the Northern Ireland Office in line with the guidance in <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742188/Managing_Public_Money__MPM__2018.pdf" target="_blank">Managing Public Money</a>. Individual payments of more than the threshold required under Managing Public Money would be noted separately. Any compensation paid in respect of litigation would be determined with reference to legal advice.</p><p> </p><p>In line with previous responses, the Northern Ireland Office will keep its obligations under review to ensure its requirements under fair employment legislation are met.</p><p> </p><p>As I answered previously, information on employees’ personal data is sensitive, in order to comply with DPA requirements, and so I am unable to comment further.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Images displayed in Stormont House are refreshed at regular intervals. Current images displayed reflect the culture and landscapes of Northern Ireland. These are in keeping with the rest of the building decor. We have no plans to review this policy.</p><p> </p><p>Royal portraits hang on public display at Hillsborough Castle, and also in the London Office occupied by the Northern Ireland Office. Other pictures of the Queen are displayed at Stormont House.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank grouped question UIN HL17481 HL17483 question first answered 31/07/2019 13:26:32 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
tabling member	2478 label Biography information for Lord Rogan

1141939

registered interest
date	24/07/2019
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Northern Ireland Office: Art Works
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 15 July (HL17173, HL17174, and HL17175), how levels of any compensation paid to civil servants for alleged offences caused by the display of images of the Royal Family in publicly funded buildings are calculated.
tabling member printed	Lord Rogan
uin	HL17483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2019 answer text <p>Any compensation payments would be accounted for by the Northern Ireland Office in line with the guidance in <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742188/Managing_Public_Money__MPM__2018.pdf" target="_blank">Managing Public Money</a>. Individual payments of more than the threshold required under Managing Public Money would be noted separately. Any compensation paid in respect of litigation would be determined with reference to legal advice.</p><p> </p><p>In line with previous responses, the Northern Ireland Office will keep its obligations under review to ensure its requirements under fair employment legislation are met.</p><p> </p><p>As I answered previously, information on employees’ personal data is sensitive, in order to comply with DPA requirements, and so I am unable to comment further.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Images displayed in Stormont House are refreshed at regular intervals. Current images displayed reflect the culture and landscapes of Northern Ireland. These are in keeping with the rest of the building decor. We have no plans to review this policy.</p><p> </p><p>Royal portraits hang on public display at Hillsborough Castle, and also in the London Office occupied by the Northern Ireland Office. Other pictures of the Queen are displayed at Stormont House.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank grouped question UIN HL17481 HL17482 question first answered 31/07/2019 13:26:32 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
tabling member	2478 label Biography information for Lord Rogan