Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken to (a) identify and (b) contact people in South Antrim constituency who were (i) infected and (ii) affected by the contaminated blood scandal as part of Government preparations for responding to Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991 and subsequent survival rates. Since October 2022, the Government has paid over £400 million in interim compensation payments to those infected or bereaved partners registered with the UK Infected Blood Support Schemes, totalling over 4000 individuals. However, the requested information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. There is also considerable uncertainty over the number of people, especially those affected, who might be eligible under Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations. Therefore I am not able to provide a substantive response to the Honourable member’s questions on his constituency.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of people that would be eligible for compensation under the terms of the recommendations of the second interim report of Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, in South Antrim constituency.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991 and subsequent survival rates. Since October 2022, the Government has paid over £400 million in interim compensation payments to those infected or bereaved partners registered with the UK Infected Blood Support Schemes, totalling over 4000 individuals. However, the requested information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. There is also considerable uncertainty over the number of people, especially those affected, who might be eligible under Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations. Therefore I am not able to provide a substantive response to the Honourable member’s questions on his constituency.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in South Antrim constituency have received interim compensation payments as a result of (a) their infection and (b) their family member’s infection resulting from contaminated blood or blood products.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991 and subsequent survival rates. Since October 2022, the Government has paid over £400 million in interim compensation payments to those infected or bereaved partners registered with the UK Infected Blood Support Schemes, totalling over 4000 individuals. However, the requested information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. There is also considerable uncertainty over the number of people, especially those affected, who might be eligible under Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations. Therefore I am not able to provide a substantive response to the Honourable member’s questions on his constituency.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of holding a census every five years.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentlemen Parliamentary Question of 24th March 2023 is attached.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Hong Kong British Nationals Overseas who move to the UK will be eligible to vote in (a) local, (b) regional and (c) national elections.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) with leave to enter or remain in the UK are entitled to register to vote as an elector in UK parliamentary elections, or local elections in England and Northern Ireland, providing they fulfil the age and residence requirements for such registration and are not subject to any other legal incapacity.
The Scottish and Welsh Governments are responsible for the franchise for local elections in Scotland and Wales, as well as elections to the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will meet the hon. Member for South Antrim and investors to discuss (a) strengthening the Union and (b) working together to ensure that the economy recovers in all four nations of the UK.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As set out in our Manifesto, this Government is fully committed to strengthening the bonds between our four great nations. This includes providing unprecedented economic support, £160 billion to protect people’s jobs, incomes and businesses across every part of the UK, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ministers are always willing to meet with fellow Members to discuss how we can work in the most effective way possible, to realise fully all the associated benefits of being a United Kingdom. Our officials will be in touch with your office to arrange details.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons money is supplied to (a) the USA, (b) Japan and (c) other highly developed nations through the Prosperity Fund.
Answered by David Lidington
The Prosperity Fund has a non-aid component to help communicate and generate opportunities for UK businesses in both developed and emerging markets. Activities supported include business roadshows and inward investment visits. Examples of this are a showcase event in Brazil that helped UK energy companies secure contracts worth over £50million, and promotional activities in the USA that contributed to a £56million export win.