Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

77211

registered interest
date	10/07/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Parole
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he last intervened in a decision taken by a parole board; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	204994
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2014 answer text <p>The Parole Board is an independent body with the statutory power to direct the release of recalled prisoners, indeterminate sentence prisoners whose tariff has expired and those determinate sentence prisoners who are subject to discretionary release arrangements.</p><p> </p><p>Once the Parole Board has directed release, the Secretary of State must give effect to the direction. Exceptionally, the Secretary of State can apply to the High Court to have a Parole Board release direction quashed if he considered it to be irrational although to date he has not sought to do so.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 01/09/2014 07:48:58 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

65703

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Neonicotinoids
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on implementing a ban on pesticide neonictinoids; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	203903
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Decisions on the approval of pesticide active substances are made at European level. Last year, the European Union (EU) withdrew approval for the use of three neonicotinoids on a number of crops. The UK Government has implemented these restrictions on neonicotinoids.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 08/07/2014 14:24:55 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

65704

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Bahrain
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the government of Bahrain about the treatment of the democracy movement in that country; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	203906
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p>I discussed the importance of political reform with the Bahraini authorities during my visit to Bahrain in June for the UK-Bahrain Joint Working Group. We continue to believe that the only way to promote peace and stability in Bahrain and address the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis is through dialogue leading to an inclusive political settlement.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 08/07/2014 09:57:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

65778

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prison Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of (a) staff morale, (b) sickness rates, (c) turnover and (d) training in prisons; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	203911
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2014 answer text <p>Management of the NOMS Agency reports to Ministers on these issues on a regular basis.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>(a) Staff Morale:</strong> Staff attitudes are measured in the annual Civil Service staff engagement survey, the most recent of which was run in October 2013. Action plans to improve engagement and morale are produced by every prison and headquarters group. The Highlight Report from the survey conducted in NOMS can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-people-survey-results-2013" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-people-survey-results-2013</a>. Information on staff engagement in contracted out prisons is not available.</p><p> </p><p><strong>(b) Staff Sickness Rates: </strong>Reducing levels of sickness in sustainable way is a high priority for NOMS and the agency is working through an improvement plan. Actions include improvements to policy, targeted management interventions and support for staff.</p><p>Sicknessrates in adult prisons have fallen over the last ten years and remain below the rate of 14.8 days lost, across public sector adult prisons, in 2002/03.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Figures on staff sickness absence in contracted out prisons can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225231/prs-data-12-13.xls" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225231/prs-data-12-13.xls</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong>(c) Staff Turnover: </strong>Leaver numbers, other than through voluntary early departure schemes (VEDS), expressed as a proportion of average staff in post, have remained consistent and sustainable over the past five years.</p><p> </p><p>Information on staff turnover in contracted out prisons is not available.</p><p> </p><p><strong>(d) Staff Training: </strong>The Ministry provides training and education for all civil servants in line with the commitment set out in the Civil Service Reform Plan “to provide at least five days a year targeted at the skills most needed for their roles”. In light of the anticipated demand for detached duty staff over the summer months, some non-critical operational training has recently been curtailed to ensure that staff are used where they are most needed. This position is being reviewed on a regular basis.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kenilworth and Southam answering member printed Jeremy Wright question first answered 15/07/2014 08:55:10 answering member 1560 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

65806

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment and Support Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress he has made in helping people with disabilities to access work through the employment and support allowance programme; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	203908
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Jobcentre Work Coaches offer Employment and Support Allowance claimants tailored support from day one of their claim, which includes work experience, skills provision, job search support and access to a range of opportunities available through the Flexible Support Fund.</p><p> </p><p>ESA claimants also have the option of accessing the Work Programme at any point after their Work Capability Assessment for help in getting tailored support provided by contracted providers.</p><p> </p><p>Key findings from the Jobcentre Plus Offer evaluation show that the implementation and delivery of the JCP Offer has been successful. The findings are being used to ensure that we continue to improve our services for all claimants.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore the DHES set out a vision for a more personalised offer with better integration of services at local level and making better use of high quality small-scale specialist provision. The Department is currently exploring the feasibility of trialling this approach. This includes looking at the role of specialist advisors.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 08/07/2014 16:15:58 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

65304

registered interest
date	02/07/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department gives on the weight to be given to areas of outstanding natural beauty when calculating housing need for the purpose of drawing up local plans; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	203607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Local Plans prepared by democratically accountable councils working with their local communities are based on objectively assessed housing needs. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have the highest status of protection in national planning policy in relation to landscape and scenic beauty, but they also contain living communities. Local authorities through their Local Plans are best placed to ensure communities in these areas are able to thrive alongside providing strong protection for these nationally important landscapes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>National planning policy sets out that Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs, unless specific policies such as the protection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty indicate development should be restricted. Our recently published planning guidance also addresses Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and can be found at <a href="http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/natural-environment/landscape/" target="_blank">http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/natural-environment/landscape/</a>. Local authorities are also under a legal duty to cooperate in seeking to meet development requirements which cannot be wholly met within their own areas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 07/07/2014 15:05:12 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

64174

registered interest
date	26/06/2014
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	Energy: Prices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans he has to make changes to mandatory green energy charges on consumer bills; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	202576
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2014 answer text <p>We have recently consulted on proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation and expect to announce our response shortly. These proposed changes form part of the package of measures announced in December last year that has led to reductions this year of around £50 on the average household bill. We have no plans to make further changes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Michael Fallon question first answered 01/07/2014 16:25:12 answering member 88 label Biography information for Sir Michael Fallon
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

64197

registered interest
date	26/06/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	General Practitioners: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for appointments at GP surgeries.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	202575
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2014 answer text <p>The Government recognises the importance of timely access to general practice. The Prime Minister's Challenge Fund has allocated £50 million to pilot ways to improve access around the country, to give general practitioners (GPs) the flexibility to meet the needs of the local population. These pilots will benefit more than 7.5 million patients across more than 1,110 practices.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, changes to the GP contract in April 2014 introduced a new Enhanced Service, which includes a commitment to same day telephone consultations with a professional in the GP surgery, where necessary, for the most at risk in the population.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Central Suffolk and North Ipswich answering member printed Dr Daniel Poulter question first answered 01/07/2014 15:36:05 answering member 3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

64200

registered interest
date	26/06/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Asthma
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that national guidelines on asthma care are implemented; what data his Department is gathering to improve asthma care; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	202655
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2014 answer text <p>NHS England is taking a number of actions to improve the care and management of people with asthma.</p><p> </p><p>It is supporting clinical commissioning groups to improve out of hospital treatment for those with asthma by giving doctors more control over the commissioning of asthma services and improving information links between general practitioners and hospitals. The implementation of the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) asthma quality standard, which sets out what good quality care looks like, will also raise the standard of care people with asthma receive.</p><p> </p><p>The National Clinical Director for Respiratory Disease, Professor Mike Morgan, is responsible for working across all five domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework in NHS England in tackling asthma issues, and Dr Jacqueline Cornish, the National Clinical Director for children, young people and transition to adulthood, is working with the Strategic Clinical Networks for maternity, neonates and children and young people, to improve clinical outcomes for children and young people with asthma. NHS England also continues to work with Asthma UK and professional groups in both primary and secondary care to improve outcomes for all those with asthma. It is also working to ensure that everyone with a long-term condition is offered a personalised care plan and an asthma action plan should form part of that.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In terms of data collection on asthma, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership is considering with NHS England, a national clinical audit of asthma services across the country against NICE quality standards for asthma.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Battersea answering member printed Jane Ellison question first answered 01/07/2014 14:15:04 answering member 3918 label Biography information for Jane Ellison
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

62640

registered interest
date	18/06/2014
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food: Packaging
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with food suppliers to encourage them to reduce excess packaging; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	201156
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has not had recent discussions with food suppliers specifically about packaging. I spoke at the Fresher for Longer conference in February this year, and the Government is working with food manufacturers and retailers to reduce food waste as part of the Courtauld Commitment, which is targeting a further reduction of 1.1 million tonnes of food and packaging waste by 2015. We encourage the use of a minimum level of packaging that protects products from damage and ensures that it maintains its quality during its shelf life.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 23/06/2014 12:10:04 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson