Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had on the appointment of a chair for the compensation arms length body for infected blood victims.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government will respond in full to Sir Brian’s recommendations on compensation following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report, however, we are making progress. In particular, the Government will bring forward amendments at Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the Other Place with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure interim payments to infected blood bereaved families are made without delay.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
In October 2022, we made interim payments of £100,000 to chronic infected beneficiaries and bereaved partners registered with existing support schemes. I recognise the importance the infected blood community places on interim payments relating to those deaths not yet recognised, and the Government is working through the technical implications of recommendation 12.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will reassess the criteria for ministerial severance payments.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The entitlement to severance payments for those who cease to hold ministerial office is set out in the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991. The Government has no current plans to amend the Act.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the infected blood compensation framework report by Sir Robert Francis QC by 14 March 2022 or as soon as the Government receives it, whichever is earlier.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The study will report to the Paymaster General no later than 14 March 2022. The Government will give full consideration to Sir Robert's study - which is separate from the independent public inquiry - and the Government's response and Sir Robert's study will be published.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will include investigation of alleged breaches of covid-19 regulations by (a) Ministers and (b) senior civil servants in the terms of reference to the public inquiry into the Government's handling of the covid-19 outbreak due commence in spring 2022.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Prime Minister has appointed the Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett DBE to chair the public inquiry into Covid-19. The inquiry will be established on a statutory basis, with formal powers, and will begin its work in spring 2022.
Draft terms of reference will be published in due course, following consultation with Baroness Hallett and ministers from the devolved administrations. As set out in the Prime Minister’s statement on 15 December, Baroness Hallett will then lead a process of public consultation, including with bereaved families and other affected groups, before the terms of reference are finalised.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will make it its policy to publish in full the report of investigation led by Sue Gray into allegations of breaches of covid-19 regulations by the Prime Minister's Office.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Terms of Reference for the Cabinet Office’s investigation have been published on GOV.UK and deposited in the libraries of both Houses. The work will be concluded by the Second Permanent Secretary.
The Terms of Reference set out that the findings of the investigations will be made public.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the end of the grace period for medical consumables on 30 September 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Lord Frost and his team are in regular contact with Vice President Šefčovič and the Commission about the various issues for which the Northern Ireland Protocol presents difficulties, including medicines and medical consumables. The Government remains in close contact with the Northern Ireland Executive as these discussions continue.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he will publish her Department's equalities impact assessments on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on women.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. An equality analysis was completed for the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, which is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629244/European_Union__Withdrawal__Bill_equality_analysis.pdf
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress his Department has made in discussions with the EU Commission on obtaining part one listed status with respect to pet travel.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Guidance on pet travel is set out on gov.uk.
Any changes to this guideline is dependent on the category that is given to Great Britain at the end of the Transition Period, with this being conditional on the ongoing discussions being had with the EU Commission.
DEFRA has submitted an application to the European Commission to become a ‘Part I’ listed third country in relation to the non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU, which the Commission is considering.
Discussions with the European Commission are ongoing. Updates will be announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure the equity of immigration and modern slavery compliance controls placed on Northern Ireland businesses and their British competitors.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Government response to the Transparency in Supply Chains consultation, published on 22 September 2020, committed to an ambitious package of changes to the Modern Slavery Act’s transparency legislation.
Northern Ireland will engage and consult with affected Northern Irish businesses and public sector organisations on all the proposals.