In line with the commitment made by my predecessor to begin to publish annually the performance of departments on their promptness in dealing with QWAs (HL Deb 8 May 2014, col 1575), I have today published data on departmental performance in answering Questions for Written Answer for the 2014/15 session (HLWS39). I am pleased to say that, overall, 91% of Questions for Written Answer were answered within the expected 10 working days in the last session.<\/p>
I will continue to publish departmental performance data on an annual basis to enable performance to be compared over time. My office will also continue to work with all departments to ensure prompt and comprehensive responses to all Questions for Written Answer.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4205", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Stowell of Beeston"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Stowell of Beeston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T16:37:10.727Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Written Questions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Bridges of Headley on 3 June (HLWS10), whether they will publish figures on the response rates to questions for written answer during the 2010\u201315 Parliament along similar lines.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"}
], "uin" : "HL256"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348485", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348485/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold the information requested.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4536", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord O'Neill of Gatley"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord O'Neill of Gatley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-16T15:59:29.633Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Minimum Wage"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is their estimate of how many people who work 37.5 hours per week or more (1) receive benefits and (2) would receive benefits if the minimum wage were increased to the living wage.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL257"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348486", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348486/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In order to inform policy making, the government reviews and notes the wider evidence on key international economic questions on an ongoing basis.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government has a clear mandate to improve Britain\u2019s relationship with the rest of the EU, and to reform the EU so that it creates jobs and increases living standards for all its citizens.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Prime Minister has started to discuss his plans for EU reform and renegotiation with other EU leaders. He has been clear that the plans involve reforming welfare and immigration rules, increasing economic competitiveness and cutting red tape to create jobs and growth for hard working families, and protecting Britain's interests outside the euro.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
It also means halting the constant flow of powers to Brussels including by ensuring a stronger role for national Parliaments. The Government will hold an in/out referendum on the UK\u2019s membership of the EU by the end of 2017.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4536", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord O'Neill of Gatley"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord O'Neill of Gatley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-16T16:00:28.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Membership of EU"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the economic analysis in the report A Blueprint for Britain: Openness not Isolation<\/i>.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL258"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348487", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348487/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Food Standards Agency advises that there are no available comparisons of campylobacter levels between chickens imported into the United Kingdom from outside the European Union and chickens produced in the UK. Chicken imported from outside the EU is not assessed for levels of campylobacter as most chicken imported into the UK is frozen. The European Food Standards Authority has indicated that a greater than 90% risk reduction from campylobacter can be obtained by freezing carcases for two to three weeks.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/127", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Prior of Brampton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T15:50:32.863Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Poultry: Campylobacter"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the level of campylobacter in imported chickens and chicken meat and how it compares to the level found in their recent study of chickens produced in the United Kingdom.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL259"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348490", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348490/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Since 1 May 2015, the Department for Transport has not taken any specific, additional steps to directly reduce the number of fatalities to cyclists caused by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).<\/p>
<\/p>
However, improving road safety including the reduction of cyclists killed or seriously injured on the roads, particularly by HGVs is a subject that we take extremely seriously. The Department continues to work to improve the safety of cyclists and the reduction of cyclist fatalities, through actions including regulations impacting on the design of vehicles, and education campaigns aimed at both drivers and cyclists, for example the THINK! \u201ctips\u201d campaign.<\/p>
<\/p>
This THINK! campaign uses a series of practical tips to advise and remind both groups of the rules of the road and the positive actions they can take to help reduce cyclist casualties.<\/p>
<\/p>
The campaign previously ran in Autumn 2013 and Spring 2014 using paid-for roadside advertising in five cities where cycling KSIs are over represented - Cambridge, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.<\/p>
<\/p>
THINK! repeated the campaign in these five cities in March 2015, to build on awareness and knowledge of the tips amongst drivers and cyclists. In addition, the campaign was also extended to seven additional cities \u2013 Southampton, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Bradford, Kingston upon Hull, Brighton and Hove and Liverpool, these were selected as they also have high levels cyclists being killed or seriously injured (KSIs).<\/p>
<\/p>
Later this year, the Department will be commencing Section 21 of the Infrastructure Act 2015, and consulting on a Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS). The safety of cyclists and our plans to tackle cyclist fatalities caused by all vehicle types, including HGVs will form a key part of the CWIS document.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-17T11:55:24.01Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cycling: Accidents"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps, if any, they have taken since 1 May to reduce fatalities to cyclists caused by heavy goods vehicles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Attlee"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Earl Attlee"} ], "uin" : "HL262"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348491", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348491/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Transport has not issued guidance on additional equipment fitted to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), although officials are actively participating in work commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) to develop an independent methodology for performance and evaluation criteria for the effectiveness of such equipment. TfL is aiming for the methodology to be validated and available in the Autumn.<\/p>
<\/p>
Prior to entry into service, new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) already require approval of mirrors, including their field of view and correct attachment to the vehicle. Information on these requirements is publicly available.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-17T11:56:33.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cycling: Accidents"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have issued any guidance on performance and evaluation criteria for equipment designed to reduce collisions between heavy goods vehicles and cyclists.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Attlee"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Earl Attlee"} ], "uin" : "HL263"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348492", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348492/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Ensuring that the National Health Service is able to support the availability and use of effective medicines for cancer and rare conditions is a key priority for this Government. We continue to work with the pharmaceutical industry on a range of issues, including the pricing of new medicines, through mechanisms such as the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Cancer Drugs Fund has already helped over 72,000 people and this year £340 million will be provided so people get the drugs they need. A working party made up of NHS England, cancer charities, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Ethical Medicines Industry Group and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is looking at options for the sustainable long-term commissioning of cancer drugs.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
We take the issue of ensuring rapid access to innovative therapies very seriously, which is why we have launched an Accelerated Access Review to make recommendations to Government later in the year on speeding up access for NHS patients to innovative and cost effective new medicines, diagnostics and medical technologies.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/127", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Prior of Brampton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-16T14:39:23.48Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Drugs: Prices"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what discussions they have had with the pharmaceutical industry about the costs of new treatments for cancer and rare diseases.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2537", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Turnberg"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Turnberg"} ], "uin" : "HL264"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348495", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348495/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department updated the Charging Regulations on 6 April 2015 to improve the identification and recharging of European Economic Area and non-EEA patients. We will continue to consider whether any additional changes should be made to the charging rules, and communicate as required.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/127", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Prior of Brampton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-15T11:35:47.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Health Services: Foreign Nationals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what plans they have to change the rules governing migrants' access to healthcare.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Touhig"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Touhig"} ], "uin" : "HL267"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348496", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348496/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the last 12 months there has been an increase of 238,000 disabled people in work. That is really positive, but there is more to do.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have been very clear that the gap between the employment rates of disabled people and non-disabled people remains too big and have committed to halving it.<\/p>
<\/p>
Government cannot achieve this ambition alone so we are working closely with disabled people, their organisations, employers and employment support providers to develop our strategy to enable more disabled people to get into, remain in and progress in work.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Disability Confident Campaign, which actively promotes the Access to Work scheme, is key to supporting employers in working with Government to halve the disability employment gap.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Altmann"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Altmann"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T11:45:10.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment: Disability"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps they are taking to end the disability employment gap.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Touhig"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Touhig"} ], "uin" : "HL268"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348499", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348499/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Over £14million has been invested over the last two financial years to support activities aimed at increasing the completeness and accuracy of the register, including in the run up to the General Election. In addition, Electoral Registration Officers have been provided with grant funding in the current financial year of £20million. The Electoral Commission is due to publish its latest analysis of the electoral register later this month, including the impact of activity to promote registration before the election, and it is important to consider any further steps in light of this report.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4535", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bridges of Headley"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bridges of Headley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-18T16:04:02.967Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electoral Register"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, in the light of the number of people currently not on the electoral register and the reported risk that this will increase with the implementation of individual registration, how much they plan to spend in the current financial year to support local authorities to ensure that the register is as complete as possible.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4181", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Beecham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Beecham"} ], "uin" : "HL271"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2015-06-04&_page=1&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2015-06-11T12%3A57%3A48.33Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 76, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }