Annette Brooke

Liberal Democrat - Former Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole

First elected: 7th June 2001

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)


Annette Brooke is not a member of any APPGs
Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party
5th Jun 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Panel of Chairs
28th Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Standards and Privileges
26th Jul 2010 - 7th Jan 2013
Shadow Spokesperson (Children, Schools and Families)
1st Jun 2004 - 6th May 2010
Children, Schools and Families
9th Nov 2007 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Minister (Education)
16th May 2005 - 12th Apr 2010
Public Accounts Committee
24th Apr 2006 - 28th Jan 2008
Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
21st Mar 2003 - 20th Dec 2007
Procedure Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 2nd May 2006
Public Administration Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 12th Jul 2005
Opposition Whip (Commons)
1st Jan 2001 - 1st Jan 2003


Division Voting information

Annette Brooke has voted in 1628 divisions, and 32 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Mar 2015 - Infrastructure Planning - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 33
26 Jan 2015 - Infrastructure Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 33 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 52 Noes - 308
4 Nov 2014 - Modern Slavery Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 42 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 225 Noes - 288
14 Jan 2014 - Offender Rehabilitation Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 44 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 315
4 Jun 2013 - Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 29 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 290
16 Apr 2013 - Growth and Infrastructure Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 286 Noes - 259
4 Mar 2013 - Justice and Security Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 231 Noes - 296
21 Feb 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 36 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 316 Noes - 263
1 Feb 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 37 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 268
31 Oct 2011 - Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 39 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 237 Noes - 305
14 Sep 2011 - Energy Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 32 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 128 Noes - 278
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 255 Noes - 304
2 Feb 2011 - Public Forest Estate (England) - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 43 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 260 Noes - 310
2 Feb 2011 - Public Forest Estate (England) - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 39 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 253
9 Dec 2010 - Higher Education Fees - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 27 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 323 Noes - 302
9 Dec 2010 - Higher Education Fees - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 27 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 323 Noes - 302
13 Oct 2010 - Superannuation Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 39 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 242
7 Sep 2010 - Superannuation Bill (Programme) - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 244
26 Jul 2010 - Academies Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 35 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 229 Noes - 303
26 Jul 2010 - Academies Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 39 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 227 Noes - 310
4 Mar 2010 - Chair (Terminology) - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 47 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 90
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 25 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 27 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 28 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 173 Noes - 309
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 32 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 304
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 29 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 43 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 32 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
5 Mar 2008 - European Union (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Annette Brooke voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 46 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 218
View All Annette Brooke Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Michael Gove (Conservative)
(28 debate interactions)
Lord Pickles (Conservative)
(23 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(89 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(51 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(31 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(22 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Annette Brooke has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Annette Brooke's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Annette Brooke

19th March 2015
Annette Brooke signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th March 2015

EXTENSION OF THE BADGER CULL

Tabled by: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)
That this House believes that commencing the next badger cull in June 2015 is completely misguided and that it will result in many badger cubs being killed when they do not have TB; and calls on the Government to abandon plans for the 2015 cull since this has been found …
35 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Independent: 1
Conservative: 1
Green Party: 1
17th March 2015
Annette Brooke signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th March 2015

CHURCH BOMBING IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Tabled by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
That this House extends its deepest sympathies to those killed in the recent bombing of two churches in Lahore, Pakistan over the weekend of 14-15 March 2015; condemns the actions of the bombers which killed and injured those who were simply exercising their faith; and asks the Foreign and Commonwealth …
32 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 9
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Conservative: 3
View All Annette Brooke's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Annette Brooke, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Annette Brooke has not been granted any Urgent Questions

5 Adjournment Debates led by Annette Brooke

Tuesday 25th November 2014
Tuesday 5th November 2013
Monday 5th November 2012
Thursday 15th December 2011
Monday 18th October 2010

3 Bills introduced by Annette Brooke


A Bill to amend section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to allow local authorities to adopt areas of amenity land which are unregistered or vested in the Crown, for the purposes of maintenance; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 15th July 2014

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to commission research into the merits of requiring cyclists aged fourteen years and under to wear protective headgear; to report to Parliament within six months of the research being completed; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 15th July 2014

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require the wearing of protective headgear by children while riding cycles; to prescribe penalties for contraventions; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Thursday 14th July 2011

Annette Brooke has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
5 Other Department Questions
20th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the value was of UK arms exports to (a) Saudi Arabia and (b) Bahrain in each year since 2010.

We do not hold data on actual arms sales, only on export licences we have granted, available at: https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/sdb/fox/sdb/SDBHOME.

20th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many arms exports licences have been revoked by the Government in the last year; and for which countries these licences have been revoked.

15 arms related licences for direct export to Russia have been revoked;

10 arms related licences have been revoked where Russia was listed as a 3rd party and ultimate end user for these licences. Of these licences 5 were for direct export to France, 4 for Italy and 1 for South Africa.

20th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the value of the UK's tear gas exports to Hong Kong was in the last year.

We do not hold data on actual exports, only on export licences we have granted. They are available to view at: https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/sdb/fox/sdb/SDBHOME.

18th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he will take steps to make consumer policies for energy more accessible to park home residents.

Energy Performance Certificates can now be generated for park homes and the Energy Company Obligation is leading to improvements. For example, 200 park homes have had solid wall insulation under this scheme..

We will be consulting later this year on ways in which we could help park home rersidents access the Warm Home Discount.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of progress on Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership's Strategic Economic Plan.

I met with the Dorset LEP on 14 January to discuss their draft Strategic Economic Plan. Their final Plan will be submitted on 31 March and will be fully assessed as part of the Growth Deal negotiation.

24th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the summary report of the Property Data Survey Programme, published in January 2015, whether the cost of maintaining, repairing or replacing a school building referred to in that report includes extra costs incurred because of the presence of asbestos.

The information collected by the Property Data Survey Programme focused on the condition of the buildings. The surveyors who visited schools as part of the programme did not record any information on the presence of asbestos. The condition need identified through the surveys does not reflect any asbestos that may be present.

24th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the summary report of the Property Data Survey Programme, published in January 2015, what estimate she has made of the total cost of repairs necessary to bring the school estate in England up to good condition.

The Property Data Survey was designed to give a relative view of condition need. As stated in the report, the Property Data Survey condition need we have calculated is not the cost of addressing the need in the estate but a relative weighting of the complexity of addressing different types of condition need. Calculating the total cost of addressing the need in the estate would involve taking into account other factors, such as asbestos and structural need, which are excluded from the survey. As such we do not hold an estimate of the total cost of repairs necessary to bring the school estate in England up to good condition.

24th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the summary report of the Property Data Survey Programme, published in January 2015, how many schools were rated as being (a) good, (b) satisfactory, (c) poor and (d) bad condition.

The Property Data Survey does not provide an overall assessment of schools in the manner requested. The surveyors who visited schools made an assessment of the condition of individual construction types within each block, such as different types of roofs or walls for which we hold individual records, but did not attempt to rate an entire school on a ‘good’ to ‘bad’ scale.

24th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many blocks recorded as part of the Property Data Survey Programme were in (a) good, (b) satisfactory, (c) poor and (d) bad condition.

The Property Data Survey does not provide an overall assessment of a block in the manner requested. The surveyors who visited schools made an assessment of the condition of individual construction types within each block, such as different types of roofs or walls for which we hold individual records, but did not attempt to rate blocks on a ‘good’ to ‘bad’ scale.

10th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date she plans to publish the report of her Department's review of asbestos policy for schools.

No date has yet been set for the publication of the review report but we intend to publish it very shortly.

10th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date she plans to publish the results of the Property Data Survey Programme for schools.

A national summary of the condition of the school estate using data from the Property Data Survey Programme has been published on the Government’s website and can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/property-data-survey-programme

The individual survey reports for schools have been shared directly with schools, local authorities and other relevant bodies responsible for the maintenance of school buildings.

1st Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish the report on her Department's review of asbestos policy in schools.

The Department is working with stakeholders, experts and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the latest evidence, and determine appropriate policy responses. We will provide an update on the management of asbestos in schools in the new year.

28th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure.

The UK Government believes that strong and effective laws already exist in the UK under which individuals, including children, may seek enforceable remedies in the courts or tribunals if they feel that their rights have been breached. We do not therefore currently believe that ratification of the Optional Protocol is necessary. Nonetheless, the Government will continue to keep this under review.

22nd Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the reliability of the information provided to her Department by local authorities on implementation of special educational needs reform for children with hearing impairment.

This information is not provided to the Department for Education by local authorities.

Local authorities and their partners across education, health and social care are implementing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms which came into force on 1 September this year. The Department is working closely with local authorities and local Parent carer forums to understand how local implementation of the Children and Families Act 2014 is progressing. Summary findings of the autumn implementation survey will be published before the end of the year. We will also publish local authority data on an annual basis, starting summer 2015.

20th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she expects Ofsted to report on the role of inspection in monitoring specialist education support services for children with special educational needs.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 September 2014 to Question 208892.

15th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it is in the remit of Ofsted to investigate pupils' safety from asbestos in school buildings when it inspects schools; and if she will make a statement.

It is not in Ofsted’s remit to assess asbestos management in schools. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the lead regulator on managing asbestos.

14th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to confirm the level of extra funding for 2015-16 that will be allocated as a consequence of her consultation on fairer school funding earlier in 2014.

We have today published our consultation response confirming the level of extra funding that each local authority will receive.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations she has received on the commercial collection of ragworm in Sites of Special Scientific Interest; and if she will make a statement.

Defra has received no recent representations on the commercial collection of rag worm in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

As part of a SSSI notification Natural England provides a list of operations requiring Natural England's consent, which may include, for example, bait digging. None of the listed operations is permitted to be carried out without Natural England's prior written consent or the consent of another public body. Consent would only be given if the activity did not impact negatively on the designated feature of the SSSI.

Natural England has not recently received any notices for consent for bait digging (including specifically for rag worm collection).

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received on park home owners being able to be individually metered for water use.

We have not received any recent representation from park home owners on this topic.

The majority of premises either receive their water and sewerage services from a water company or a reseller. A customer of a water company can request (under the Water Industry Act 1991) a water meter and if it is not feasible to fit one (due to it being impractical or unduly costly) they will be moved across to an assessed charge. The assessed charge should ‘bear as much relation as possible to the volumes of water such customers would be likely to use’ and are normally based on the average metered bill for the area or the number of bedrooms.

Those customers of resellers (and this can include sheltered accommodation, housing association properties, flats above commercial premises, caravan parks and park homes) can ask for a meter to be fitted but there is no legal requirement on the reseller to do this.

The industry regulator, Ofwat, regulates the resale market through The Water Resale Order 2006 (section 150 of the Water Industry Act 1991) and provides examples on how the charges should be apportioned.

14th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations she has received on increased numbers of infestations of rats in a domestic setting; and if she will make a statement.

I have not received any recent representations on the number of rat infestations in a domestic setting. Rats have no special legal protection and people are free to control them by legal means.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to reduce risks to the environment posed by the release of helium balloons.

We recognise there are concerns about the potential risks posed by helium balloons. In 2013, jointly with the Welsh Government, we commissioned an independent study to identify and assess the impacts and risks to livestock and the environment associated with sky lanterns and helium balloons.

Evidence from the report concluded that risk to the environment from helium balloons is small or highly localised.

The report is available at:

http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&Completed=2&ProjectID=18402

Any future action Government may take will need to be proportionate to the problem and backed by reliable evidence.

30th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to seek international consensus on post-2015 education goals and targets.

The Government is advocating for a simple, inspiring, and relevant post-2015 development framework, centred on eradicating extreme poverty. We are actively working with international partners to ensure that access to education and quality of learning is at the heart of the post-2015 focus on education.

11th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many accidents in England resulting in serious head injuries involved (a) cyclists and (b) cyclists under 16 in each of the last three years.

The number of reported personal injury road accidents in England involving (a) at least one seriously injured pedal cyclist and (b) at least one seriously injured pedal cyclist aged under 16 for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 is given in the tables below.

Reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one seriously injured pedal cyclist: England, 2011-2013

2011

2,814

2012

2,960

2013

2,884

Reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one seriously injured pedal cyclist aged under 16: England, 2011-2013

2011

349

2012

275

2013

248

Information on the pedal cyclists who suffered serious head injuries as a result of an accident is not available from the STATS19 data that the department collects.

However, information on the medical consequences of pedal cycle casualties in road accidents in England can be obtained from hospital inpatient data. The most recent analysis for 2001-2010 suggests that 40 per cent of pedal cycle admissions were the result of head injuries.

3rd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2014, Official Report, column 295W, on cycling: children, what criteria his Department uses to measure whether a mode of transport is safe and secure.

Anyone killed or seriously injured on our roads is one too many. The Department collects and publishes statistics annually (and sub-annually) and uses those to monitor road safety. Where there is an existing or emerging road safety challenge, the Department works hard to ensure the right policy solutions are in place to minimise those road safety risks.

2nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to prevent the postage by retailers of Second World War gas masks containing asbestos.

The Royal Mail is responsible for the acceptance or otherwise of items to be carried by post and they have set out what they will accept, or not, in their publically available guide “Prohibitions and restrictions in the domestic and international post” published in July 2013. These rules ensure that specified low risk items can be transported safely through the UK postal network.

It clearly states that under certain conditions it is acceptable for samples of asbestos to be carried to UK destinations. Royal mail will not, however, accept asbestos under any circumstances for international carriage.

I will not be taking any additional steps to prevent the postage by retailers of Second World War gas masks containing asbestos.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will issue guidance on the safe use of bicycle trailers to provide a minimum level of safety for children being towed by bicycles on the roads.

The Department has no current plans to issue guidance on the safe use of trailers on bicycles. However children should be transported safely and securely and trailers should be in a roadworthy condition before being used on the highway.

20th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2014 to Question 213491, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on amending the eligibility criterion derived from average winter temperatures.

The Government intends to bring in an eligibility criterion derived from average winter temperatures, with payments going only to eligible people living in EEA countries with cold climates. The regulations establishing Winter Fuel Payments for 2015/16 will include the new eligibility condition. These regulations are made annually under the Social Security Contributions & Benefits Act 1992, and those for winter 2015/16 will be made in the current Parliament.

Since 1 June 2014, we have received two Parliamentary Questions, twenty one items of Ministerial or official correspondence and four Freedom of Information requests relating to the future of Winter Fuel Payments in France. Following the European Court ruling in the Stewart case, Winter Fuel Payments are made to those with a “genuine and sufficient link” to the UK, rather than – as previously – being restricted to those who had previously received a Payment in the UK.

20th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2014 to Question 213491, how many representations he has received on the future of the winter fuel allowance claimed by UK citizens living in mainland France on a UK state pension.

The Government intends to bring in an eligibility criterion derived from average winter temperatures, with payments going only to eligible people living in EEA countries with cold climates. The regulations establishing Winter Fuel Payments for 2015/16 will include the new eligibility condition. These regulations are made annually under the Social Security Contributions & Benefits Act 1992, and those for winter 2015/16 will be made in the current Parliament.

Since 1 June 2014, we have received two Parliamentary Questions, twenty one items of Ministerial or official correspondence and four Freedom of Information requests relating to the future of Winter Fuel Payments in France. Following the European Court ruling in the Stewart case, Winter Fuel Payments are made to those with a “genuine and sufficient link” to the UK, rather than – as previously – being restricted to those who had previously received a Payment in the UK.

11th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the extent of the use of cold calling in relation to pension fund transfers.

The National Crime Agency monitors trends in fraudulent activity, including cold calls, to help target action. Whilst we cannot put a precise figure on transfer-related activity initiated by cold calls it is apparent that cold calling is a route often used by scammers. The public and industry can do their bit to help develop the intelligence picture by reporting concerns to Action Fraud (http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/).

More generally, both the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority are running information campaigns (Scorpion and ScamSmart respectively) as part of Project Bloom to raise the profile of the threat posed by pension and investment scams.

5th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received on the future of the winter fuel allowance for UK citizens living in mainland France on a state pension; and if he will make a statement.

We have received correspondence relating to Winter Fuel Payments, to which we have replied.

The Government intends to bring in an eligibility criterion derived from average winter temperatures with payments going only to eligible people living in EEA countries with cold climates. Legislation will need to be passed before any change can be made.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to ensure that consumers are protected from rogue pension schemes.

Under Project Bloom DWP and other agencies are already working together with the pensions industry to crackdown on pensions scams. Actions include:

· A tightening of HMRC’s pension scheme registration, as called for by industry, including the introduction of a fit and proper person test.

· A further wave of the Pensions Regulator’s well-received Scorpion information campaign highlighting the threat posed by pension scams, with further waves happening early next year.

· The launch of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Scamsmart campaign.

· Police raids.

· Closing down websites used to facilitate pension scams.

More generally, the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority work together with trustees and providers to ensure that occupational pension scheme members’ and consumers’ contract based pensions are safe.

11th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 112W, on Schools: Asbestos, what system is in place to inspect schools under (a) local authority control and (b) outside local authority control, to assess their standard of asbestos management.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has no specific system in place to inspect schools to assess their standard of asbestos management.

HSE's work planning systems focuses its inspection priorities on the major hazard industries and comparatively high risks sectors (such as construction, waste and recycling, and some types of manufacturing), but can also involve targeted initiatives elsewhere. In recent years this approach has resulted in discrete inspection programmes to assess asbestos management by:

  • local authorities with responsibility for system built schools; and
  • schools outside local authority control on a sample basis.

2nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 25 November 2013, Official Report, column 126W, on gas masks, what progress he has made on preventing the continued on-line sale of Second World War gas masks containing asbestos.

HSE has concluded its sampling exercise with online sellers. A number of the different types of gas mask available were analysed and most found to contain asbestos. The placing on the market, supply and transport of almost all items containing asbestos, including gas masks, is prohibited by the EU Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (EU1907/2006) (REACH).

HSE and Trading Standards are working with the platform, which hosted the purchases of the gas masks involved in the study, on a policy to prohibit the sale of items that fall under REACH.

HSE will continue work on a case by case basis with Local Authority Trading Standards, who are responsible for enforcement relating to sale to consumers, to take robust action against those who break the law on asbestos and unnecessarily put themselves and others at risk.

2nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to monitor the standards of asbestos management in schools (a) under and (b) outside of local authority control.

The Health and Safety Executive continues to be a member of the Asbestos in Schools Steering Group which aim to promote the effective management of asbestos in both local authority and non-local authority controlled schools. The steering group has representatives from the joint Union Asbestos Committee, education trade unions, local authorities and independent schools.

In June 2014, HSE published the results of its latest inspection survey into the management of asbestos in schools covering those outside local authority control. This survey showed improved levels of awareness and a decrease in the level of enforcement action required in comparison with a survey of the same sector in 2010/11. HSE also completed a similar inspection exercise in 2010 on local authority controlled schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress he has made towards achieving his Department's aim of processing 97 per cent of assessments for personal independence payments within 30 days.

We are working closely with the providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is in place to help people with ME or chronic fatigue syndrome who are well enough to consider a return to work.

We do not target our employment programmes exclusively at individuals with particular conditions such as M.E. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Department's programmes, including its specialist disability employment programmes, aim to identify and meet the needs of the individual, including those with M.E. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Access to Work provides additional support for individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. It provides individuals and their employers with advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of an individual's needs. Access to Work does not replace the duty an employer has under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments.

Work Choice is a specialist disability employment programme that provides tailored support to help disabled people who face the most complex barriers to employment, find and stay in work and ultimately help them progress into unsupported employment, where it is appropriate for the individual.

Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisers can provide support and advice for disabled people who need help finding and retaining employment. They can refer individuals to specialist programmes, including Work Choice, and can use the professional expertise of Work Psychologists, who specialise in working with disabled people. Disability Employment Advisers can advocate with employers on the individual's behalf and help employers to explore job solutions such as the restructuring of a job's tasks/environment, or the provision/change of equipment.

The Government published ‘The disability and health employment strategy: the discussion so far' on 17 December 2013. This paper sets out a range of proposals to further improve our employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions.

The Government recognises that getting the right support at the right time is particularly important for disabled people and those with a health condition so as part of our vision for future employment support we are developing a new Employment Gateway. This will be a light-touch process based on an individual's strengths and needs and will direct people to the most appropriate support.

In order to support individuals to stay in work where possible we are putting in place a new Health and Work Service (HWS).The HWS will provide occupational health advice and support for employees, employers and GP's to help individuals with a health condition to stay in or return to work.

The intention is to introduce the service by the end of 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that specialist training on (a) ME or chronic fatigue syndrome and (b) other fluctuating conditions is given to healthcare professionals assessing claimants for the personal independence payment.

The Department requires the health professionals carrying out Personal Independence Payment assessments to have a broad and thorough training in disability analysis, as well as training in specific conditions, including fluctuating conditions.Both organisations providing the assessment have to conform to a rigorous set of quality and recruitment standards which are closely monitored by the Department for Work and Pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with ME or chronic fatigue syndrome and their healthcare professionals are (a) helped to access appropriate support and (b) given the correct out of work support.

We do not target our employment programmes exclusively at individuals with particular conditions such as M.E. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Department's programmes, including its specialist disability employment programmes, aim to identify and meet the needs of the individual, including those with M.E. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Access to Work provides additional support for individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. It provides individuals and their employers with advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of an individual's needs. Access to Work does not replace the duty an employer has under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments.

Work Choice is a specialist disability employment programme that provides tailored support to help disabled people who face the most complex barriers to employment, find and stay in work and ultimately help them progress into unsupported employment, where it is appropriate for the individual.

Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisers can provide support and advice for disabled people who need help finding and retaining employment. They can refer individuals to specialist programmes, including Work Choice, and can use the professional expertise of Work Psychologists, who specialise in working with disabled people. Disability Employment Advisers can advocate with employers on the individual's behalf and help employers to explore job solutions such as the restructuring of a job's tasks/environment, or the provision/change of equipment.

The Government published ‘The disability and health employment strategy: the discussion so far' on 17 December 2013. This paper sets out a range of proposals to further improve our employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions.

The Government recognises that getting the right support at the right time is particularly important for disabled people and those with a health condition so as part of our vision for future employment support we are developing a new Employment Gateway. This will be a light-touch process based on an individual's strengths and needs and will direct people to the most appropriate support.

In order to support individuals to stay in work where possible we are putting in place a new Health and Work Service (HWS).The HWS will provide occupational health advice and support for employees, employers and GP's to help individuals with a health condition to stay in or return to work.

The intention is to introduce the service by the end of 2014.

9th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2015 to Question 222671, what recommended alternatives to (a) eribulin, (b) lapatinib and (c) everolimus are available to treat breast cancer; and what clinical benefits each alternative offers in terms of (i) progression free survival, (ii) overall survival, (iii) quality of life and (iv) toxicity.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a number of drugs for the treatment of advanced and metastatic breast cancer through its technology appraisals and a clinical guideline. These include:

- anthracyclines

- docetaxel

- vinorelbine

- capecitabine

- gemcitabine in combination with paclitaxel

- tamoxifen

- trastuzumab

Further information on each of these, together with the evidence base for NICE’s recommendations, can be found in NICE’s updated clinical guideline on advanced breast cancer (CG81) at:

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg81

9th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2015 to Question 222670, on what grounds the removal of cancer drugs from the national Cancer Drugs Fund list can be appealed; and by when such appeals must be made.

NHS England has advised that any request for a formal review of a decision made by the national Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) panel to remove a drug from the national CDF list can be made in line with NHS England’s Standard Operating Procedures for the Fund. Any request for a review of a panel decision must be made by the clinician or pharmaceutical industry representative that made the original application for inclusion on the list.

Requests must be lodged within 20 working days of the original decision being notified.

29th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of breast cancer patients who will be affected by the removal of (a) eribulin, (b) lapatinib, and (c) everolimus from the Cancer Drugs Fund list on 12 March 2015.

NHS England has advised that all patients currently being treated with eribulin, lapatinib or everolimus through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) will continue with their treatment. Furthermore, clinicians will continue to be able to apply for individual patients to receive these drugs on an exceptional basis.

Based on current applications received for these drugs, NHS England estimates that, on an annual basis, 1,730 patients treated with these drugs will be affected.

NHS England has also advised that there are alternatives available for all these drugs within either baseline commissioning or the CDF. The purpose of NHS England’s recent review is to ensure that the very latest drugs are available to patients. The CDF has already helped over 60,000 patients.

29th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether further discussions are planned between NHS England and the pharmaceutical industry before drugs are removed from the Cancer Drugs Fund list on 12 March 2015.

NHS England has advised that A Cancer Drugs Fund Working Party has been established to review the future sustainability of the Fund and funding cancer drugs in general. The pharmaceutical industry is represented on this group.

The removal of cancer drugs from the national Cancer Drugs Fund list is subject to a written review/complaint procedure and NHS England anticipates that a number of applications will be made under those processes.

16th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on the provision of psychiatric inpatient beds for people with learning disabilities in Dorset.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has not identified any items of correspondence received since 1 June 2014 about the provision of psychiatric inpatient beds for people with learning disabilities in Dorset.

This figure represents correspondence received by the Department’s Ministerial correspondence unit only.

10th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress he has made on the development of a population-based measure to help determine the numbers of older people who report feeling lonely; and how this measure will build on the measures already contained in the Public Health and Adult Social Care Outcomes Frameworks.

Public Health England has commissioned the Institute of Health Equity to undertake a rapid review of the evidence around social isolation across the lifecourse. A publication, aimed at NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups and local authorities, will describe who is at risk of social isolation, at what stage of life, what impact this has on health inequalities and what works to reduce social isolation in the groups identified.

The Department considered a number of data sources that could provide data for a population-based measure of loneliness. The Department has not found a measure that would provide local authorities with sufficient information for action. The Department remains interested in exploring how the issue can be measured in the general population in a way that will support local authorities, and will retain the existing measure of social isolation in both the Public Health Outcomes Framework and the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework.

10th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how his Department's plans to develop a measure to record levels of loneliness will help services to establish whether more work is required to tackle loneliness amongst older men.

Public Health England has commissioned the Institute of Health Equity to undertake a rapid review of the evidence around social isolation across the lifecourse. A publication, aimed at NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups and local authorities, will describe who is at risk of social isolation, at what stage of life, what impact this has on health inequalities and what works to reduce social isolation in the groups identified.

The Department considered a number of data sources that could provide data for a population-based measure of loneliness. The Department has not found a measure that would provide local authorities with sufficient information for action. The Department remains interested in exploring how the issue can be measured in the general population in a way that will support local authorities, and will retain the existing measure of social isolation in both the Public Health Outcomes Framework and the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework.

4th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department and NHS England are taking to ensure that local autism diagnostic pathways are improving outcomes for adults with autism locally.

The Department is currently seeking views on proposed new statutory guidance for local authorities and National Health Service organisations to support the implementation of Think Autism, the update to the 2010 adult autism strategy.

The consultation looks at issues including the identification and diagnosis of autism in adults, and the proposal that NHS England local audit teams should look at people’s experiences of the diagnostic process locally and assure themselves that this is acceptable. The consultation period began on 7 November and closes on 19 December 2014.

Responses are invited from a wide range of people and groups, including adults with autism, families and carers, health and social care organisations that plan, commission and provide services for autism and their families. The Department intends to issue the statutory guidance in February 2015.

Local authority areas will also report back on progress they are making on autism diagnosis and other issues in Public Health England’s forthcoming national autism self-assessment exercise on implementing the Adult Autism Strategy.

4th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure professional awareness of diagnostic pathways will be prioritised among (a) health bodies and (b) local authorities in the statutory guidance on implementing the adult autism strategy.

The Department is currently seeking views on proposed new statutory guidance for local authorities and National Health Service organisations to support the implementation of Think Autism, the update to the 2010 adult autism strategy.

The consultation looks at issues including the identification and diagnosis of autism in adults, and the proposal that NHS England local audit teams should look at people’s experiences of the diagnostic process locally and assure themselves that this is acceptable. The consultation period began on 7 November and closes on 19 December 2014.

Responses are invited from a wide range of people and groups, including adults with autism, families and carers, health and social care organisations that plan, commission and provide services for autism and their families. The Department intends to issue the statutory guidance in February 2015.

Local authority areas will also report back on progress they are making on autism diagnosis and other issues in Public Health England’s forthcoming national autism self-assessment exercise on implementing the Adult Autism Strategy.