{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2014-11-05&answeringDeptId=7", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2014-11-05&answeringDeptId=7", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2014-11-05&answeringDeptId=7&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-AnswerDate=2014-11-05&answeringDeptId=7", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2014-11-05&answeringDeptId=7", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2014-11-05&answeringDeptId=7", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105853", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105853/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Nothing.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-10T16:54:52.8391228Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mobile Phones"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3917", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Walney"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barrow and Furness"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Woodcock"} ], "uin" : "213151"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105855", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105855/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
My Department recruits on the basis of fair and open competition, with candidates being appointed on the basis of merit.<\/p>
<\/p>
There are a very small number of exceptions, which are recognised by the Civil Service Commission; in our Department\u2019s case, this is generally due to facilitate specific secondments from external organisations (for example, there were a series of fire secondments to provide support for the Olympics fire and security team), or to allow for appointments of individuals with specialised skillsets (for example, local audit) or for a time-limited project.<\/p>
<\/p>
The attached table gives a breakdown for each year since 2010-11, and to facilitate scrutiny, I have included 2009-10 to enable comparison with the use of exceptions under the last Administration.<\/p>
<\/p>
Figures for 2014-15 will be submitted in due course. Due to Data Protection obligations, it is not appropriate to disclose the identity of the individual staff concerned.<\/p>
<\/p>
More information on the civil Service Commission's guidance on recruitment exceptions can be found online at:<\/p>
http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Recruitment-Principles-April-2014.pdf<\/a> (Annex A)<\/p> <\/p> More broadly, my Department has taken steps to open up job vacancies in the Department to a wider audience.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105855/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "PQ 213021 Woodcock - Table Final.docx"}
, "title" : "Table to PQ 213021"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-21T14:47:38.677Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Appointments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3917", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Walney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barrow and Furness"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Woodcock"}
], "uin" : "213021"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105856", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105856/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice publishes annual statistical reports on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for central government. These reports include statistics on the numbers of requests granted in full and those where information was partially or fully withheld. These reports can be accessed on the following webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-10T16:53:40.2588133Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Freedom of Information"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3917", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Walney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barrow and Furness"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Woodcock"}
], "uin" : "213081"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105857", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105857/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Guidance on undertaking Transport Assessments and Statements has been set out in the Planning Practice Guidance for everyone using the planning system, including local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate. I refer the hon. Member to to my answer to him of 22 July 2014, PQ 204271.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-10T16:57:20.4813527Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Freedom of Information"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3917", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Walney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barrow and Furness"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Woodcock"}
], "uin" : "213102"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105859", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105859/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my rt. hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster General (Francis Maude) today, PQ 213040.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-10T17:32:16.1329752Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Appointments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3917", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Walney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barrow and Furness"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Woodcock"}
], "uin" : "213041"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105860", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105860/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department has reduced staffing costs from £218 million a year in 2009-10 to £95 million in 2013-14. We have also completely overhauled and reformed the system of bonuses, in turn, reducing spending from £1.3 million in financial year 2008-09 and £1.2 million in financial year 2009-10 (£1.0 million in performance year 2009-10) to £440,000 in performance year 2013-14.<\/p> <\/p> For staff who are not Senior Civil Service, this included replacing the Annual Performance Bonus Scheme and the in-year Special Bonus Scheme, with an Exceptional Performance Scheme and in-year Instant Voucher Reward Scheme. The latter is designed to enable managers to provide immediate acknowledgment of exceptional performance for smaller scale achievements over a short period of time. Vouchers are given in values of £10 to £50.<\/p> <\/p> The types of work that may qualify for a nomination include:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> From the scheme\u2019s launch in June 2013 to December 2013, 360 staff received a reward with an average payment of £34. From January 2014 to September 2014, 285 staff received a reward with an average payment of £30.<\/p> <\/p> I am unsure of whether the hon. Member wishes to disparage such small-scale bonuses because they may involve giving out shopping vouchers, yet we believe that they are a cost-effective way of improving staff performance within Whitehall and delivering a better service to the public.<\/p> <\/p> Indeed, the vouchers given for saving taxpayers\u2019 money have delivered at least £40,000 of quantifiable savings and further efficiency improvements on top. Under the Labour Government, the state congratulated those that regulated more, spent more and taxed more. We want to reward those who regulate less, spend less and tax less.<\/p> <\/p> I would hope the hon. Member, as a Co-operative Party MP, supports the underlying principles of staff involvement, economic participation and self-improvement which we are embracing.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-18T17:13:20.927Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pay"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3917", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Walney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barrow and Furness"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Woodcock"}
], "uin" : "213061"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105861", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105861/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government's self-financing settlement has given council landlords access to £2.8 billion additional borrowing and the freedom to plan their housing businesses for the long term. We have no plans to remove the limits on indebtedness whilst we are taking action to tackle the budget deficit inherited from the last Administration but we have been able to make available an additional £300 million borrowing over 2015/16 and 2016/17 and those councils that needed additional borrowing have now had two opportunties to bid for additional borrowing. I announced on 9 October that £178 million additional borrowing was still up for grabs in the second bidding round. We are now considering those bids. We have been able to extend this borrowing precisely because of the Government's long-term economic plan. More council housing has been built in the four years of this Government than in all the thirteen years of the last Administration combined.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4009", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Brandon Lewis"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-10T16:32:02.8635001Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Council 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 Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of a removal of the borrowing cap on local authorities' housing revenue accounts on the output of new council houses.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/206", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Lammy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tottenham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr David Lammy"}
], "uin" : "212964"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105862", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105862/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is for the local planning authority in considering planning applications or the Planning Inspector in considering planning appeals to consider whether improvements can be undertaken within the transport network that cost effectively limit the significant impact of the development on traffic levels, and determine whether the residual cumulative impacts of development are severe.
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4009", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Brandon Lewis"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-17T11:32:29.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Planning Permission"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department issues on the definition of severe in relation to the effect on traffic levels for the use of (a) local planning authorities and (b) the National Planning Inspectorate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/231", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Nick Harvey"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Devon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Nick Harvey"}
], "uin" : "213125"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105858", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/105858/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "