Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the maintenance and safety of unadopted roads.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The maintenance and safety of unadopted roads or private streets are the responsibility of the land owner. The decision on whether or not local authorities adopt roads, and therefore maintain them at the public expense, rests with each individual local highway authority.
To help improve the process around road adoption for new developments, my department has been working with housebuilders and local authorities on the production of an Advice Note. This was published for consultation in January 2016 and the final version should be published later this year.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on plans in the Road Investment Strategy for a new smart motorway between junctions 23 and 25 of the M1.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Highways England is aiming to commence construction of the M1 J24 to J25 smart motorway scheme in 2016/17 with completion in 2017/18. M1 J23a to J24 is being developed and Highways England is currently committed to commencing construction on this section in 2019/20. Highways England is currently considering combining these works to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery and minimise disruption to the travelling public. Work continues on developing these proposals and in due course Highways England will be able to confirm the final programme for delivery of M1 J23a to J25.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a new Junction 25A on the M1.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Proposals to improve the Strategic Road Network post-2020 will be considered as we prepare the second Road Investment Strategy – which was announced at Budget 2016. As part of the evidence-gathering process, Highways England is revisiting its Route Strategies to examine issues right across the Network. MPs and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the process. Any specific proposals to address issues identified, such as additional junctions, will need to be prioritised and represent good value for money.Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the introduction of small scale DAB licensing for community radio stations.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The ten small scale DAB technical trials funded by DCMS have been positive with more than 80 smaller commercial and community radio stations broadcasting on DAB for the first time, including some new services. We are looking at options for new legislation to license small scale DAB multiplexes.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the outcomes of the Anti-Corruption Summit in May 2016 on developing countries.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The commitments agreed at the London Summit could potentially achieve major benefits for developing countries including preventing their resources from being stolen and hidden abroad; ensuring international systems recover these funds whilst punishing perpetrators; and helping citizens have greater opportunities to seek justice against corruption.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which areas have been chosen as test sites for the pre-exposure drug prophyaxis (PrEP); what selection criteria have been used to identify those test sites; and what measures his Department plans to use to assess the effectiveness of PrEP in the test sites over the next two years.
Answered by Jane Ellison
The planning of the process to select test sites, including timing and criteria for selection, will continue alongside NHS England’s review of its position on the commissioning of pre-exposure prophyaxis (PrEP).
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the evidential basis is for NHS England's decision not to fund the pre-exposure drug prophyaxis for HIV for the at-risk population.
Answered by Jane Ellison
NHS England has placed its position on the commissioning of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) under review. This review of the commissioning process will be undertaken by the Specialised Services Committee of NHS England in late May 2016. Depending on the outcome of that decision, a further decision taking account of the clinical evidence for PrEP, the evidence and demand for other new treatments not currently commissioned and NHS England's available funding and priorities is currently planned for June 2016.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what budget he plans to allocate to each clinical commissioning group in England to support the effective transfer of obesity surgery in April in a manner consistent with NICE's clinical guidelines.
Answered by George Freeman
NHS England is not currently able to provide a figure for individual clinical commissioning groups on 1 April 2016 as the basis for calculating the figures is still being finalised.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2015 to Question 18621, what further assessment he has made of levels of preparedness among clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) for the planned transfer of obesity surgery commissioning responsibilities to CCGs in April 2016.
Answered by George Freeman
NHS England is supporting the transfer of commissioning responsibilities to ensure that clinical commissioning groups are fully prepared to assume the role working through collaborative commissioning forums.
NHS England have provided a commissioning information pack including a stocktake of local services, care pathways, waiting times and a quality overview for each local area. National clinical experts are currently finalising commissioning and clinical guidance on standards for the adult obesity surgery pathway.
The draft service specification reflects best practice and describes the standard providers will need to meet for the surgical service.
Asked by: Maggie Throup (Conservative - Erewash)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support NHS England plans to provide clinical commissioning groups relating to the transfer of obesity surgery commissioning responsibilities from NHS England after that transfer.
Answered by George Freeman
Although the transfer is effective from April 2016, the handover process will be agreed between specialised commissioning and individual clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), in line with their preparedness.
Specialised commissioning teams will continue to provide advice and support CCGs post-handover in line with the CCG’s need. CCGs already have mechanisms in place to monitor provider performance and quality through the existing quality assurance processes.