Topical Questions 2021-09-23

2021-09-23

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Diana R. Johnson Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Context
The question follows the introduction of a new minister to his role.
I am concerned about the NHS infected blood scandal being the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, and with over 135,000 deaths during the covid pandemic, I ask if frontline staff will be involved in setting the terms of reference for the upcoming inquiry into the response to the pandemic.
We have been clear that we will have an inquiry next spring, with consultations shaping leadership, terms, and conduct. The Prime Minister is committed to learning lessons from the UK's response to the pandemic in England and other devolved Administrations.
Assessment & feedback
Specific involvement of frontline staff not addressed
Consultations Shaping Leadership, Terms, And Conduct
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Diana R. Johnson Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Context
A local business in Warrington is seeking Government contracts but has not received a response.
Businesses in Warrington and across the country are trying to secure government contracts but have had no responses. Can you advise on how best to approach the Government for these opportunities?
I would draw attention to Contracts Finder, a free-to-use platform that publishes details of contracts above £10,000 and £25,000 to enable greater transparency for businesses seeking government contracts.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The question follows the Minister's comments on learning from the pandemic.
We need to learn from this pandemic, especially from the recommendations of the covid-19 national foresight group which has been gathering dust for nine months. Will you commit to implementing its recommendations?
We need to learn from our response, and we have been looking at resilience through the civil contingencies secretariat with investment in a situation centre for quicker responses. I am keen to hear from groups contributing to better preparedness.
Assessment & feedback
Specific implementation of recommendations not addressed
Keen To Hear From Groups Contributing
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Fleur Anderson Lab
Putney
Context
Concerns raised about a Home Secretary's secret meeting with British Airways and a donor.
The latest allegations about the Home Secretary's meeting raise concerns. Will the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster hold an investigation into these allegations?
There is a clear process in the ministerial code and due process through PET in the Cabinet Office where concerns are raised. To date, there is no evidence to suggest any breach.
Assessment & feedback
Specific investigation not committed to
Clear Process Due Process
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Fleur Anderson Lab
Putney
Context
Concern about carbon dioxide supply due to global gas price increases.
I welcome the Government's response in restarting CO2 production but ask for reassurance that everything is being done to safeguard against global gas price increases.
The Government are working on managing impacts from gas price rises. We are confident in supply this winter and have worked with industry to address risks, including a morning call with chief executives.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The levelling-up fund's first phase is delayed with successful bids yet to be announced.
Further to the debate on the levelling-up fund, will the Minister discuss with ministerial colleagues the need to extend the delivery date and the first phase of the scheme beyond the end of the current financial year, due to the delay in announcing successful bids?
As I recall from my recent time in the Treasury, the levelling-up fund is not a one-shot opportunity and there will be future iterations and bidding processes. The first round is applied, but there will be future rounds as part of that. Obviously, that will also be shaped by the forthcoming spending review that the Chancellor will lead.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about extending the current phase beyond this financial year was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Context
The Paymaster General's assertion about taking back control of UK territorial waters was unclear.
People in fishing communities will have been interested to hear the Paymaster General assert earlier that we are taking back control of our territorial waters. May I invite him to clarify that? When he says territorial waters, does he mean water up to the 6-mile, 12-mile or 200-mile limit?
I think the right hon. Gentleman knows full well what is meant by British territorial waters, and I invite him to accept that it is this Government who do everything they need to do, and they will continue to protect our territorial waters.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about the exact limit for UK territorial waters was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
A constituent, Thomas Leigh, a veteran injured in service, has concerns about inadequate compensation for long-term back injuries.
Will the Minister agree to meet me and my constituent Thomas Leigh, a veteran who was seriously injured during his service in the armed forces, to discuss Mr Leigh's very serious concerns about the inadequacy of the compensation available for long-term back injuries sustained by servicemen?
I thank my right hon. Friend for what she does for veterans in her community, and I would be delighted to hold such a meeting.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The Government's focus on preventing potential voter identity fraud is questioned by the MP.
I listened with interest to the non-answers given to my hon. Friends earlier, and I wonder whether any more light could be shed on why this Government are so intent on applying a pre-crime approach, on thinking that people might try to commit voter identity fraud, and on suppressing millions, yet ignoring the actual evidence of dark money and large donations to political parties. Can more light be shed on exactly why they are taking that approach?
I invite the hon. Gentleman to read the court's judgement in the 2015 Tower Hamlets case, and he will find out exactly the nature of the problem that the Government are seeking to redress. We will redress other problems as and when they become necessary.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about the rationale behind voter identity fraud prevention was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Context
MP acknowledges the Government's plans to move civil service jobs out of London and highlights progress made in Darlington.
May I commend the Government on their plans to move civil service jobs out of London? In welcoming my right hon. Friend to his position, may I invite him to visit Darlington and see the progress that has been made with the delivery of jobs in the Treasury, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and other Departments, which is real evidence of our levelling-up agenda?
I always look forward to an opportunity to visit Darlington, and I share my hon. Friend's passion for moving more jobs. When I was Chief Secretary to the Treasury, one key thing I did was seek to front-load our previous commitment to moving 22,000 jobs by 2030 and bring that forward. We now have a commitment for 15,000 of those jobs to be moved by 2024-25. It is not just the value of the jobs themselves that moves, with the welcome diversity that brings in the civil service; it also drives further jobs in the private market.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Ian Byrne Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Context
MP references constituents who have lost loved ones to COVID and want answers regarding the Government's response.
I have been contacted by bereaved constituents who have lost their loved ones to covid-19, and I would like to pay tribute to all those families in Liverpool, West Derby today in this Chamber. My constituents want answers, and they should not have had to battle with the Government at every stage to secure the covid-19 inquiry. In his new role, will the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster make a commitment, here and now, to prioritising the bereaved families, meeting Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice as a matter of urgency to discuss the terms of reference of the inquiry, and ensuring that the families get the truth and justice they deserve?
Every death from this virus is a tragedy, and our deepest sympathies are with everyone who has lost loved ones. The Government remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that the families of whom the hon. Gentleman has spoken have the scrutiny of the Government's response to managing the pandemic that they deserve. The Prime Minister made it very clear in his statement to this House on 12 May that bereaved families and others will be consulted on the inquiry's terms of reference before they are finalised. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to write to me for more information, I will be happy to respond.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about commitment to prioritizing bereaved families was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
SNP is seeking clarification on the results of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
In 2014, the no campaign warned that, if Scotland voted for independence, it would lead to higher energy prices, an end to freedom of movement and empty supermarket shelves. Can the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster tell us what the result of the 2014 independence referendum was?
In a session that has involved a new ministerial team looking forward, we see the SNP, as ever, constantly wanting to look backwards, yet when it comes to their own independence referendum, they seem to want to forget the past and the result of that vote. We have a plan for jobs that is working across the United Kingdom to get more people into work and upskill them. It is very appropriate, with the Business Secretary here, that we have a plan for jobs that is working, and that is what the Scottish Government and the SNP should be focused on.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about the referendum result was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
MP seeks information from the Cabinet Office about opinion research in Scotland regarding attitudes to the Union.
Last week, a High Court judge refused the Cabinet Office permission to appeal against a first-tier tribunal decision that it should release information to me, under freedom of information legislation, in relation to the work it had been doing on opinion research in Scotland with regard to attitudes to the Union. Will the Cabinet Office now comply with that ruling and finally release the information that it has paid for with taxpayers' money?
The Government regularly commission research in different parts of the UK to understand public attitudes and behaviours, to inform our campaigns and policies in development. The Scottish Government conduct similar research, for the same reasons. We will set out our response to the court's decision in due course.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about complying with the ruling was not directly addressed
Response accuracy