Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when a Defence Minister last visited the Falkland Islands.
Answered by Mark Francois
In June 2007, the then Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram, visited the Falkland Islands.
In November 2011, Philip Dunne MP and I visited the Falkland Islands, during which time we visited the military base at Mount Pleasant. Whilst not in Ministry of Defence Ministerial positions at the time, we both subsequently joined the Department the following year.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of how many residents of the British Overseas Territories in receipt of UK state pensions have had those pensions frozen.
Answered by Steve Webb
There are 14 British Overseas Territories: Anguilla; Bermuda; the British Antarctic Territory; the British Indian Ocean Territory; the British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; the Pitcairn Islands; St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus (Akrotiri and Dhekelia); and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Information on the Overseas Territories in which UK state pensions are paid and the number of cases in payment is available at: http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/sp/cccountry/cnage/a_carate_r_cccountry_c_cnage_may14.html
The tabulation tool distinguishes between those countries where the state pension is up-rated and those countries where the state pension is ‘frozen’. Up-rated state pensions are payable to people living in Bermuda, Gibraltar and the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus. However it is possible that in some cases state pensions paid in countries where the state pension is ‘frozen’ will be up-rated, for example when someone is only visiting the Territory.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether NHS England will remain the sole budget-holder and accountable commissioner for all specialised services in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) future years.
Answered by Jane Ellison
NHS England is the accountable commissioner and budget holder for all specialised services as set out in The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012, with the Manual for prescribed specialised services providing further detail.
NHS England is proposing to move to a more collaborative approach to commissioning some specialised services, aligned to the vision set out in the Five Year Forward View. This should lead to improved outcomes for patients, more integrated pathways and a better patient experience.
NHS England has clarified that where there are collaboratively commissioned services, NHS England will retain the full financial risk for these services for 2015/16.
NHS England has advised us that there will be further work conducted over the next year to determine the range of specialised services for which NHS England should remain the accountable commissioner and budget holder for 2016/17 and future years.
Copies of The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012 and the Manual for prescribed specialised services are attached.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons members of the armed forces stationed in the Falkland Islands do not receive free wifi; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that all UK bases overseas offer access to a free wifi connection.
Answered by Anna Soubry
It is not the case that Armed Forces personnel in the Falkland Islands do not receive free wifi. Cards providing 100 minutes of wifi internet access are issued at no cost to Armed Forces personnel. The number of cards received is dependent on tour length as follows:
up to nine months tour - one card a week
nine to 12 months tour - two cards a week
12 months plus unaccompanied - four cards a week
In addition to the cards, an internet cafe is available where personnel can access up to 45 minutes of Skype and internet browsing time per day.
Location, capability and security can provide challenges in the provision of the internet to Armed Forces Personnel based overseas.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what scope the joint committees of NHS England and clinical commissioning groups will have to deviate from national service specifications for specialised services in (a) 2015-16 and (b) future years.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Whilst NHS England remains the accountable commissioner for a specialised service, national service specifications and policies will still apply in their entirety. This position applies even when there are services which are collaboratively commissioned with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) through joint committee arrangements.
If a service is transferred to CCG commissioning responsibility there will need to be an agreed transition plan about the continued use of national service specifications and policies.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Richard review of apprenticeships.
Answered by Nick Boles
Employers of all sizes are fully engaged in Trailblazers, designing new apprenticeship standards to meet their skill needs. Over 1000 employers, in over 75 sectors, are already involved in Trailblazers. 73 new apprenticeship standards have been approved and a further 100 are in development. The first 300 apprentices training to the new standards started in September 2014.
The funding model currently being trialled with Trailblazer apprenticeships provides £2 of Government support for every £1 spent by employers on training. Extra payments are also available for smaller businesses; taking on a 16 – 18 year old; and on completion of an apprenticeship.
Giving employers’ control of apprenticeship funding is a core and non-negotiable part of our reforms. Following feedback to the Technical Consultation, further work is being done before a final decision is made on which funding mechanism will be taken forward.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will allocate additional funding to assist towards delivering the new cystic fibrosis ward at King's College Hospital; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jane Ellison
This is a matter for King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and local NHS commissioners. The Trust is free to apply to the Department for loan funding for the development of a new cystic fibrosis ward. However, we are advised that the Department has not to date received any such application from the Trust.
We are advised by the Trust that it remains committed to developing an expanded and refurbished ward for cystic fibrosis patients at King’s College Hospital and that it is looking to secure a long term solution which is in the best interests of patients. Cystic fibrosis patients at King’s were recently moved to a new interim facility, which provides a better environment for both patients and staff.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy that a credit union be established for members of HM Armed Forces and their families.
Answered by Anna Soubry
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December 2014 to Question 216988 to the hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas).
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2014-12-03/216988/
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what aspects of nineteenth century and twentieth century (a) British and (b) world history are mandatory in the history curriculum in each key stage.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The requirements for the mandatory history curriculum in maintained schools in England are available online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-history-programmes-of-study.
A copy of this document is also available in the House Library.
Maintained schools must teach 11-14 year-olds the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day. In addition to studying the Holocaust, this can include the First World War and the Peace Settlement, and the Second World War and the wartime leadership of Winston Churchill.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy that study of the (a) First World War and (b) Second World War is made mandatory in the history curriculum.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The requirements for the mandatory history curriculum in maintained schools in England are available online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-history-programmes-of-study.
A copy of this document is also available in the House Library.
Maintained schools must teach 11-14 year-olds the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day. In addition to studying the Holocaust, this can include the First World War and the Peace Settlement, and the Second World War and the wartime leadership of Winston Churchill.