{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=1&min-date=2015-02-03&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-03-28", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?houseId=1&min-date=2015-02-03&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-03-28", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=1&min-date=2015-02-03&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-03-28&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&houseId=1&min-date=2015-02-03&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-03-28", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=1&min-date=2015-02-03&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-03-28", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?houseId=1&min-date=2015-02-03&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-03-28", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1606015", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1606015/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

It is a legal obligation that employers pay the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, introduced by this Conservative Government, and the National Minimum Wage for workers under 23. Departments can also require suppliers to pay above these rates, such as the London Living Wage, where it is relevant to do so.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

UK public procurement policy is to award contracts on the basis of value for money, which means the optimum combination of cost and quality over the lifetime of the project.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

The Sourcing Playbook sets out the Government's policies with regards to outsourcing. It was introduced to improve decision making and the quality of contracts government places with suppliers. The Playbook is focussed on getting things right from the start, and includes 11 key policies which help government and industry work together to deliver high quality public services while maximising value for money.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

By getting things right from the start and driving better contracting with the private sector, the playbook policies prioritise high quality outcomes, whilst also driving efficiencies and savings.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4613", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Burghart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brentwood and Ongar"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alex Burghart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T12:48:37.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Charities: Operating Costs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has made to ensure charities contracted by (a) government departments, (b) local authorities and (c) NHS bodies to deliver public services can pay their operational costs including paying a fair wage.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1588", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Barbara Keeley"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Worsley and Eccles South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Barbara Keeley"} ], "uin" : "170572"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1606783", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1606783/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

As set out in the Investment Zones policy prospectus<\/a>, officials will work in partnership with places, and their local stakeholders, to co-develop their Investment Zone proposals.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "172411"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T16:37:52.113Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Investment Zones"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to paragraph 4.117 of the Spring Budget 2023, HC1183, published on 15 March 2023, how much funding he plans to allocate to a successful region under the Investment Zones policy over (a) one year and b) five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4061", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bill Esterson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sefton Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bill Esterson"} ], "uin" : "172390"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607059", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607059/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government is committed to strengthening animal welfare standards and is currently examining the use of cages for laying hens and the use of farrowing crates for pigs. The UK banned sow stalls in 1999.<\/p>

<\/p>

We will continue to work with retailers and producers to ensure we maintain and enhance the high standards of animal health and welfare we have in this country, including on our farms.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T15:36:38.997Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pigs: Animal Housing"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ban (a) pig farrowing crates, (b) sow stalls and (c) other caged farming systems.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4518", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tulip Siddiq"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hampstead and Kilburn"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tulip Siddiq"} ], "uin" : "173051"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607072", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607072/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Home Office replied on 17 February 2023.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T10:26:41.68Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Members: Correspondence"} , "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, when she plans to reply to correspondence of (a) 24 January and (b) 16 February from the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare relating to a constituent, Samantha Smith.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1584", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Penrose"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Weston-super-Mare"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Penrose"} ], "uin" : "173006"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607132", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607132/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The User Validation Trials were bespoke trials to establish the effectiveness of the proposed Ajax modifications, conducted jointly with General Dynamics. General Dynamics bore all of their costs associated with this activity and the Ministry of Defence bore approximately £650,000 in costs for the preparation, execution and analysis of the independent monitoring and instrumentation necessary for these joint trials.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Chalk"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cheltenham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alex Chalk"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "172339"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T15:37:30.653Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ajax Vehicles: Procurement"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the written statement entitled Ajax Payments Update, UIN HCWS652, made by the Minister for Defence Procurement on 20 March 2023, who met or will meet the costs of the user validation trials for the AJAX programme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/400", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Healey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wentworth and Dearne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Healey"} ], "uin" : "172975"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607159", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607159/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government has passed into law The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act that unlocks growth and innovation in the bioscience sector. Precision breeding technology such as gene editing, taking place in the UK\u2019s leading research institutes has the potential to tackle some of the major challenges of our time.<\/p>

<\/p>

Relevant licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 continue to be required for any scientific research involving gene-editing in animals.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T15:31:13.207Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Plants: Genetically Modified Organisms"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department are taking to support research on gene edited plants; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring researchers to have a license before conducting gene editing on animals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4633", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Girvan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Antrim"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Girvan"} ], "uin" : "173072"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607175", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1607175/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as possible at all test centres. As a result of the measures already taken by the DVSA, overall, since April 2021, an estimated 813,000 additional test slots have now been created. On average, the DVSA is creating approximately 35,300 extra test slots each month.<\/p>

The average time between booking and taking a practical car test in Greater Manchester and West Didsbury test centres over the last 12 months is 15.2 weeks and 15.6 weeks respectively. As of 27 March 2023, there are 1,847 driving tests available in Greater Manchester and 465 available at West Didsbury.<\/p>

To prevent the booking and re-selling of driving test appointments, the DVSA has:<\/p>