Simon Burns

Conservative - Former Member for Chelmsford

First elected: 11th June 1987

Left House: 3rd May 2017 (General Election)


Simon Burns is not a member of any APPGs
Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Rail and Aviation)
6th Sep 2012 - 4th Oct 2013
Minister of State (Department of Health) (Health Services)
13th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Opposition Whip (Commons)
10th Dec 2005 - 6th May 2010
Administration Committee
6th Nov 2006 - 30th Mar 2009
Armed Forces Bill Committee
19th Dec 2005 - 9th May 2006
Shadow Spokesperson (Health)
1st Jan 2001 - 10th Dec 2005
Health and Social Care Committee
5th Jul 1999 - 12th Jul 2005
Public Accounts Committee
7th Nov 2000 - 11th May 2001
Shadow Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government)
1st Jan 1998 - 1st Jan 1999
Shadow Spokesperson (Social Security)
1st May 1997 - 1st Jan 1998
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health)
23rd Jul 1996 - 2nd May 1997
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
8th Jul 1995 - 23rd Jul 1996
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
20th Jul 1994 - 7th Jul 1995


Division Voting information

Simon Burns has voted in 2093 divisions, and 9 times against the majority of their Party.

13 May 2014 - Prohibition of Unpaid Internships - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 18 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 19
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 90 Conservative Aye votes vs 123 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 184
9 Sep 2011 - Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Conservative No votes vs 21 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 24 Noes - 40
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2) - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative Aye votes vs 85 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 157
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 172
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Simon Burns voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 55 Conservative No votes vs 69 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 365 Noes - 62
View All Simon Burns 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
John Bercow (Speaker)
(53 debate interactions)
Andy Burnham (Labour)
(51 debate interactions)
Derek Twigg (Labour)
(43 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(858 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(352 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(27 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Investigatory Powers Act 2016
(1,251 words contributed)
Investigatory Powers Act 2016
(1,251 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Simon Burns's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Simon Burns

Simon Burns has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Simon Burns, 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.


Simon Burns has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Simon Burns has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Simon Burns has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Simon Burns 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
22 Other Department Questions
5th Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2014 to Question 207883, if the Commission will make available to the right hon. Member for Chelmsford all the records of all the discussions of the panel considering the appointment of the new Clerk of the House and Chief Executive with the personal data of the applicants redacted.

Applicants for the role of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive applied in confidence. Records relating to the recruitment process constitute the personal data of the applicants. It would still be possible to identify personal information about individuals following the redaction of names and other personal data from records of the panel discussion. It is not the Commission’s practice to disclose confidential personal information of this nature.

4th Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, who authorised the secondment of a member of the House of Commons Library staff to work in Burma with the Burmese Parliament; how long this secondment has lasted; and how much the staff member has been paid in (a) salary and (b) expenses while on secondment.

In her speech to Members of both Houses in Westminster Hall on 21 June 2012 Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi urged the UK to provide “practical help” to support moves to democracy in Burma.

The initial secondment of a senior researcher from the House of Commons Library to work with the Burmese Parliament for 6 months from January 2014 was authorised by the Clerk of the House. The Burmese side subsequently requested an extension of the secondment for a further 6 months; this was agreed by the Clerk of the House and confirmed in a letter of 14 July 2014. The secondment overall will accordingly run from January 2014 to January 2015. The secondment is referred to in the House of Commons business plan 2014/15 and contributes to the House Service’s objective of supporting other parliaments, especially those in transition towards democracy.

The researcher is paid on the A2 salary scale, currently £46,532 to £61,255.

As at the end of August 2014, total expenses have amounted to £24,100.50 including accommodation, travel and local project costs.

4th Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what (a) expenses and (b) salary is paid to members of the Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy.

No salary is paid to members of the Speaker’s Commission on Digital Democracy for carrying out their responsibilities on the Commission; to date a total of £3,819.03 in travel expenses has been incurred.

4th Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the total cost has been of the Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy; and how many people are employed to work on the Commission.

The total cost assigned to the Commission on Digital Democracy’s budget to the end of July 2014 is £146,512.

There are currently four people employed to work on the Commission, although one of these spends 20% of his time working on other matters.

4th Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, who authorises expenditure for the Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy; and out of which budget-heading such funding has been allocated.

Expenditure for the Speaker’s Commission was authorised by the Director General, Information Services. The Commission on Digital Democracy has a separate budget heading within the Department of Information Services budget.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission with make available to the right hon. Member for Chelmsford all the records of all the discussions of the panel considering the appointment of the new Clerk of the House and Chief Executive.

Records relating to the appointment of the new Clerk of the House and Chief Executive constitute the personal data of the applicants. It is not the Commission’s practice to disclose confidential personal information of this nature.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the letter that Mr Speaker sent to the Prime Minister recommending Ms Mills' appointment as the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive will be recalled.

Ms Mills’ name has not yet been submitted as Under Clerk of the Parliaments (Clerk of the House of Commons and Chief Executive) to Her Majesty the Queen for approval. Mr Speaker has written to the Prime Minister asking that its submission be delayed until a clear way forward on this issue has been agreed.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, whether (a) Mr Speaker and (b) other members of the panel were informed by the headhunters, Saxton Bampfylde, of the potential problem surrounding Ms Mills in the Australian Parliament before the decision was taken to recommend Ms Mills' appointment as the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive.

Saxton Bampfylde provided written notes on each candidate interviewed on 30 July, and a representative of the company was available to talk to the panel if required. The notes on Ms Mills did not refer to an investigation into the use of closed circuit television footage by officers of the Parliament of Australia’s Department of Parliamentary Services.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2014, Official Report, columns 607-8W, on Clerk of the House, what percentage of the first year’s salary of any candidate recommended for appointment Saxton Bampfylde is contracted to receive.

Saxton Bampfylde was contracted for a flat fee of £18,000 to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. There is no salary related element.

16th Jul 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the names are of the candidates who have been short-listed for consideration for the position of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; and what the country of residence of each such candidate is.

Three candidates are currently shortlisted. It is not the Commission’s practice to disclose confidential personal information, including names of applicants for positions.

10th Jul 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what funding the Commission allocated for payment of travel, hotel and subsistence expenses of candidates interviewed for the role of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; what the actual cost was of paying those expenses; and from which budget those expenses will be paid.

No specific budget has been allocated for the payment of travel, hotel or subsistence expenses for candidates interviewed for the role of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. The cost incurred to 14 July is £2,702.31. The costs are met from the House Service's general recruitment budget.

17th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the criteria were for the choice of members of the panel of selection to consider the appointment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; and who selected those members.

The selection panel that will consider the appointment of the next Clerk of the House was chosen by Mr Speaker and its composition was considered by the House of Commons Commission at its meeting on 16 June. The criteria for selection of panel members included party balance, gender balance and the need for external independent input.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, whether a tender was issued for the use of head-hunters to find candidates for the post of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive.

Three organisations specialising in executive search services were invited to tender to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. Saxton Bampfylde was selected through this process.

The selection panel comprises Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP, Angela Eagle MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman). No confirmation hearing is envisaged. The composition of the panel for the recruitment of the present postholder was Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP and Sheila Drew Smith.

Knowledge of procedural and constitutional issues will be tested as part of the formal interview process. The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. As part of normal pre-appointment checks it will be a requirement for the next Clerk of the House to be subject to security vetting. The terms of the recruitment brief were agreed by the Commission by correspondence, and the advertisement, finalised by the Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change, was based on the agreed brief.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment will be made, prior to the appointment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive, of each candidate's knowledge of and expertise on procedural and constitutional issues.

Three organisations specialising in executive search services were invited to tender to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. Saxton Bampfylde was selected through this process.

The selection panel comprises Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP, Angela Eagle MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman). No confirmation hearing is envisaged. The composition of the panel for the recruitment of the present postholder was Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP and Sheila Drew Smith.

Knowledge of procedural and constitutional issues will be tested as part of the formal interview process. The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. As part of normal pre-appointment checks it will be a requirement for the next Clerk of the House to be subject to security vetting. The terms of the recruitment brief were agreed by the Commission by correspondence, and the advertisement, finalised by the Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change, was based on the agreed brief.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive will be subject to security vetting if he or she is appointed from outside the House service or Civil Service; and whether he or she will be subject to a confirmation hearing before a select committee.

Three organisations specialising in executive search services were invited to tender to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. Saxton Bampfylde was selected through this process.

The selection panel comprises Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP, Angela Eagle MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman). No confirmation hearing is envisaged. The composition of the panel for the recruitment of the present postholder was Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP and Sheila Drew Smith.

Knowledge of procedural and constitutional issues will be tested as part of the formal interview process. The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. As part of normal pre-appointment checks it will be a requirement for the next Clerk of the House to be subject to security vetting. The terms of the recruitment brief were agreed by the Commission by correspondence, and the advertisement, finalised by the Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change, was based on the agreed brief.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the composition will be of the selection committee for the appointment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; and what the composition was of the equivalent committee when the present postholder was appointed.

Three organisations specialising in executive search services were invited to tender to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. Saxton Bampfylde was selected through this process.

The selection panel comprises Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP, Angela Eagle MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman). No confirmation hearing is envisaged. The composition of the panel for the recruitment of the present postholder was Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP and Sheila Drew Smith.

Knowledge of procedural and constitutional issues will be tested as part of the formal interview process. The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. As part of normal pre-appointment checks it will be a requirement for the next Clerk of the House to be subject to security vetting. The terms of the recruitment brief were agreed by the Commission by correspondence, and the advertisement, finalised by the Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change, was based on the agreed brief.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, who determined the terms of the advertisement seeking applications for the post of Clerk of the House and Chief Executive.

Three organisations specialising in executive search services were invited to tender to provide support for the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. Saxton Bampfylde was selected through this process.

The selection panel comprises Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP, Angela Eagle MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman). No confirmation hearing is envisaged. The composition of the panel for the recruitment of the present postholder was Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, John Thurso MP, Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP and Sheila Drew Smith.

Knowledge of procedural and constitutional issues will be tested as part of the formal interview process. The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. As part of normal pre-appointment checks it will be a requirement for the next Clerk of the House to be subject to security vetting. The terms of the recruitment brief were agreed by the Commission by correspondence, and the advertisement, finalised by the Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change, was based on the agreed brief.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, who was responsible for the appointment of Saxton Bampfylde for the search for a successor to the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; and who will monitor its progress.

Following a competitive tendering process, Saxton Bampfylde was appointed on 29 May 2014 to support the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive, in particular by providing executive search services. Three bids were received and evaluated by Mr Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change. The fee for these services is fixed at £18,000. The contract will be monitored by the Department of HR and Change. The recruitment brief to which Saxton Bampfylde are working will be placed in the Library.

The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a panel chaired by Mr Speaker, three other members of the House of Commons Commission, a senior backbencher and an external member.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, how much Saxton Bampfylde will be paid for its work on a successor to the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive; and if he will publish their terms of reference.

Following a competitive tendering process, Saxton Bampfylde was appointed on 29 May 2014 to support the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive, in particular by providing executive search services. Three bids were received and evaluated by Mr Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change. The fee for these services is fixed at £18,000. The contract will be monitored by the Department of HR and Change. The recruitment brief to which Saxton Bampfylde are working will be placed in the Library.

The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a panel chaired by Mr Speaker, three other members of the House of Commons Commission, a senior backbencher and an external member.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, when Saxton Bampfylde was appointed for the search for a successor to the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive.

Following a competitive tendering process, Saxton Bampfylde was appointed on 29 May 2014 to support the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive, in particular by providing executive search services. Three bids were received and evaluated by Mr Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change. The fee for these services is fixed at £18,000. The contract will be monitored by the Department of HR and Change. The recruitment brief to which Saxton Bampfylde are working will be placed in the Library.

The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a panel chaired by Mr Speaker, three other members of the House of Commons Commission, a senior backbencher and an external member.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, who will be responsible for the appointment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive.

Following a competitive tendering process, Saxton Bampfylde was appointed on 29 May 2014 to support the recruitment of the next Clerk of the House and Chief Executive, in particular by providing executive search services. Three bids were received and evaluated by Mr Speaker and the Director General of HR and Change. The fee for these services is fixed at £18,000. The contract will be monitored by the Department of HR and Change. The recruitment brief to which Saxton Bampfylde are working will be placed in the Library.

The Clerk of the House is appointed by the Crown by Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Speaker to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister to the Crown. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a panel chaired by Mr Speaker, three other members of the House of Commons Commission, a senior backbencher and an external member.

6th Dec 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons the Cabinet Office List of Ministerial Responsibilities published in October 2016 does not have Ministers' Private Office telephone numbers in all cases but rather switchboard numbers; and if he will make a statement.

The List of Ministerial Responsibilities sets out the individual responsibilities of Government Ministers and departments. It also provides details of Non-Ministerial departments and Executive Agencies. It is for individual departments to determine the level of contact details to be provided, and they try to be as helpful as possible. When errors are identified, they are corrected on the online version. An updated hard copy version will be issued in due course.

6th Dec 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to correct contact detail inaccuracies in the List of Ministerial Responsibilities published in October 2016.

The List of Ministerial Responsibilities sets out the individual responsibilities of Government Ministers and departments. It also provides details of Non-Ministerial departments and Executive Agencies. It is for individual departments to determine the level of contact details to be provided, and they try to be as helpful as possible. When errors are identified, they are corrected on the online version. An updated hard copy version will be issued in due course.

6th Dec 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons the Cabinet Office List of Ministerial Responsibilities published in October 2016 does not have Ministers' Private Office email addresses in all cases but rather generic email addresses; and if he will make a statement.

The List of Ministerial Responsibilities sets out the individual responsibilities of Government Ministers and departments. It also provides details of Non-Ministerial departments and Executive Agencies. It is for individual departments to determine the level of contact details to be provided, and they try to be as helpful as possible. When errors are identified, they are corrected on the online version. An updated hard copy version will be issued in due course.

26th Nov 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to implement efficiency savings across government departments.

In May 2010 the deficit between government revenue and public spending was the largest percentage of GDP of any developed country. As part of our long-term economic plan to ensure the country lives within its means, we took action to drive efficiency from day one.

By 2014/15 the Government had saved £18.6 billion through efficiency and reform, and tackling fraud, error and uncollected debt (against a 2009/10 baseline). At a very conservative estimate this is equivalent to £850 for each working household across Britain.

The £18.6 billion saving includes £6.1 billion by improving how government buys goods and services and £1.5 billion by transforming how government works, including putting services and transactions online and rationalising the government’s property portfolio - releasing government land, by moving to shared property and using less office space, enables land to be released which can be put to better economic use.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) incidence rate and (b) age standardised incidents rate of prostate cancer in (i) England and (ii) each parliamentary constituency was in the latest year for which figures are available.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

30th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to help protect heritage sites worldwide.

The protection of cultural heritage affected by acts of destruction is a priority for this Government. We are committing £30 million towards a new Cultural Protection Fund and will bring forward legislation to enable the UK to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols at the first opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils in (a) Chelmsford constituency and (b) Essex continued into (i) further education, (ii) higher education (iii) apprenticeships in each the last five years for which figures are available.

Destination Measures data, following key stage 4 and key stage 5, are published at local authority level for the years 2009/10 and 2010/11. Parliamentary constituency level data are published for 2010/11 only.

The requested data, for the available years, are shown in the attached tables.

The information is taken from Statistical First Release data, which is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-destinations

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of teachers teaching in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Essex and (d) Chelmsford constituency undertook specialist training on educational provision for children and young people on the autism spectrum in each of the last five years.

These figures are not collected centrally. Schools make their own decisions on what training their staff need to support their pupils, based on the individual circumstances of the school.

The Department for Education funds the Autism Education Trust (AET) to provide tiered training on autism: basic awareness training for teaching and non-teaching staff at level 1; practical knowledge and hands-on tools and techniques for all staff working directly with children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders at level 2; and level 3 training for those seeking more advanced knowledge and those pursuing a training role, such as lead practitioners in autism and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators. Between 2011 and 2013 the AET received grant funding under grant from the Department to provide training to schools and from 2013 to 2015 is contracted to provide training to early years providers, schools and further education colleges.

17th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport of 17 November 2016, what the timetable is for the improved compensation for delayed rail journeys to be implemented on the Chelmsford to London Liverpool Street line operated by Abellio Greater Anglia.

The timetable for the roll out of improved compensation for passengers on the Greater Anglia franchise, including between Chelmsford and London, is subject to discussion with Greater Anglia. These discussions are scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.

15th Nov 2016
A12
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for work to commence on uprating the A12 to a three lane road from (a) the M25 to Margaretting and (b) Boreham Interchange to Colchester; and if he will make a statement.

The A12 from the M25 (Junction 11) to Chelmsford (Junction 15) widening scheme - M25 to Margaretting - is to be developed by Highways England for the next Road Period (2020 - 2025). Construction of the A12 Chelmsford (Junction 19) to the A120 (Junction 25) widening scheme from Boreham Interchange to Colchester is expected to commence before March 2020.

10th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish punctuality figures for the Greater Anglia service between Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street for each of the last three years.

The Department does not hold punctuality figures at the level of detail requested. This is an operational matter for Network Rail.

10th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish punctuality figures for the Greater Anglia service between Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street for each of the last six months.

The Department does not hold punctuality figures at the level of detail requested. This is an operational matter for Network Rail.

9th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much investment has there been in the Chelmsford to London Liverpool Street rail line by (a) project and (b) type of investment in each of the last 10 financial years.

The Department does not hold information about the Chelmsford to London Liverpool Street line in the format requested.

Details of infrastructure enhancements on the line are included in Network Rail’s enhancement plan for Control Period 4 (2009-2014) (available at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=30064785772)

For information about enhancements prior to 2009, information is available in the Network Route Plans for the Great Eastern Main Line on Network Rail’s website.

9th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on proposed investment in the Chelmsford to London Liverpool Street rail line in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Investment plans for the line between Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street for Control Period 5 (for the period 2014-2019) are included in Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan (available at the following web address: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/strategicbusinessplan/cp5/supporting%20documents/our%20activity%20and%20expenditure%20plans/overarching%20cp5%20enhancements%20plan.pdf?cd=2).

For the five-year period beyond 2019, Network Rail published a draft Anglia Route Study on 5 November 2014:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/anglia-route-study/

26th Sep 2014
A12
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve road safety on the A12 from Junction 28 of the M25 to Ipswich.

The Highways Agency takes road safety very seriously and they monitor the safety of the A12 trunk road as well as all other routes on the strategic road network.

The Agency is committed to delivering four safety improvement schemes on the A12 this financial year valued at approximately £2.1million. Two of these are being delivered through the national Pinch Point Programme.

Tackling congestion and improving the performance of the strategic road network is also a key factor to improving safety. The Highways Agency is continuing to develop Stage 2 of the East of England Route Strategy, which includes the A12, and is due to be completed by spring 2015. Following completion of evidence gathering Stage 1 in April, the Agency is now undertaking a series of studies based on that evidence which will form outline business cases for tackling congestion, improving performance and ultimately improving safety on the strategic road network.

26th Sep 2014
A12
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many road traffic accidents there were on the A12 from Junction 28 of the M25 to Ipswich in each of the last three years.

The 2011, 2012 and 2013 statistics for road traffic accidents on the A12 from its junction with the M25 (junction 28) to its junction with the A14 (junction 55, near Ipswich) are set out in the table below:

Year

Collisions

2011

150

2012

141

2013

154

There is no requirement for accidents resulting in damage only to be reported to the police and therefore this data is not included.

26th Sep 2014
A12
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries occurred as a result of road traffic accidents on the A12 from Junction 28 of the M25 to Ipswich in each of the last three years.

The 2011, 2012 and 2013 statistics for fatal, serious and slight injuries occurring as a result of road traffic accidents on the A12 from its junction with the M25 (junction 28) to its junction with the A14 (junction 55, near Ipswich) are set out in the table below:

Fatal

Serious

Slight

2011

5

32

201

2012

2

18

178

2013

3

23

185

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions engineering works carried out by Network Rail on the London Liverpool Street - Chelmsford - Colchester - Ipswich railway line have overrun causing disruption to the service in each of the last five years.

Network Rail is responsible for the day to day operation of the rail network and the delivery of enhancements. The independent regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will continue to monitor closely Network Rail’s performance delivery on the Anglia route, which will cover all the causes of delay, including the impact of overrunning engineering works.

The Track Access Contracts between Network Rail and train operators provide for Network Rail to pay compensation to an operator in the event that train services cannot operate or are delayed due to engineering works or disruption outside that operator’s control. The Department for Transport does not hold details of the timing or number of such payments, which are a commercial matter between the parties directly concerned, overseen by the ORR. The ORR publishes the annual totals of these payments at route level on its data portal:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/345da3b9-b9ac-449a-aace-8298c5b39e2b

The ORR concluded its assessment of Network Rail’s performance between 2009 and 2014 in July. Since Network Rail did not deliver its funded obligations, and to address issues which have disrupted services for passengers, the company has committed at least £25m extra funds to improve the resilience of the network in London and the South East, with plans to be in place by December. In the Long Distance sector, the company fell significantly short of its funded target. Under an order made by the ORR in 2012, taking account of issues beyond Network Rail's control, the company has been asked to return £53.1m to funders for failure to deliver its agreed obligations in 2013-14. The Government is reinvesting this sum to improve on-train mobile services for passengers.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what sanctions have been imposed on Network Rail as a result of engineering works overrunning and causing disruption to the rail service on the London Liverpool Street - Chelmsford - Colchester - Ipswich railway line in the last five years.

Network Rail is responsible for the day to day operation of the rail network and the delivery of enhancements. The independent regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will continue to monitor closely Network Rail’s performance delivery on the Anglia route, which will cover all the causes of delay, including the impact of overrunning engineering works.

The Track Access Contracts between Network Rail and train operators provide for Network Rail to pay compensation to an operator in the event that train services cannot operate or are delayed due to engineering works or disruption outside that operator’s control. The Department for Transport does not hold details of the timing or number of such payments, which are a commercial matter between the parties directly concerned, overseen by the ORR. The ORR publishes the annual totals of these payments at route level on its data portal:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/345da3b9-b9ac-449a-aace-8298c5b39e2b

The ORR concluded its assessment of Network Rail’s performance between 2009 and 2014 in July. Since Network Rail did not deliver its funded obligations, and to address issues which have disrupted services for passengers, the company has committed at least £25m extra funds to improve the resilience of the network in London and the South East, with plans to be in place by December. In the Long Distance sector, the company fell significantly short of its funded target. Under an order made by the ORR in 2012, taking account of issues beyond Network Rail's control, the company has been asked to return £53.1m to funders for failure to deliver its agreed obligations in 2013-14. The Government is reinvesting this sum to improve on-train mobile services for passengers.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to minimise the overrunning of engineering works on the London Liverpool Street - Chelmsford - Colchester - Ipswich railway line.

Network Rail is responsible for the day to day operation of the rail network and the delivery of enhancements. The independent regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will continue to monitor closely Network Rail’s performance delivery on the Anglia route, which will cover all the causes of delay, including the impact of overrunning engineering works.

The Track Access Contracts between Network Rail and train operators provide for Network Rail to pay compensation to an operator in the event that train services cannot operate or are delayed due to engineering works or disruption outside that operator’s control. The Department for Transport does not hold details of the timing or number of such payments, which are a commercial matter between the parties directly concerned, overseen by the ORR. The ORR publishes the annual totals of these payments at route level on its data portal:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/345da3b9-b9ac-449a-aace-8298c5b39e2b

The ORR concluded its assessment of Network Rail’s performance between 2009 and 2014 in July. Since Network Rail did not deliver its funded obligations, and to address issues which have disrupted services for passengers, the company has committed at least £25m extra funds to improve the resilience of the network in London and the South East, with plans to be in place by December. In the Long Distance sector, the company fell significantly short of its funded target. Under an order made by the ORR in 2012, taking account of issues beyond Network Rail's control, the company has been asked to return £53.1m to funders for failure to deliver its agreed obligations in 2013-14. The Government is reinvesting this sum to improve on-train mobile services for passengers.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what sanctions are taken against Network Rail when engineering works overrun causing disruption to the rail network.

Network Rail is responsible for the day to day operation of the rail network and the delivery of enhancements. The independent regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will continue to monitor closely Network Rail’s performance delivery on the Anglia route, which will cover all the causes of delay, including the impact of overrunning engineering works.

The Track Access Contracts between Network Rail and train operators provide for Network Rail to pay compensation to an operator in the event that train services cannot operate or are delayed due to engineering works or disruption outside that operator’s control. The Department for Transport does not hold details of the timing or number of such payments, which are a commercial matter between the parties directly concerned, overseen by the ORR. The ORR publishes the annual totals of these payments at route level on its data portal:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/345da3b9-b9ac-449a-aace-8298c5b39e2b

The ORR concluded its assessment of Network Rail’s performance between 2009 and 2014 in July. Since Network Rail did not deliver its funded obligations, and to address issues which have disrupted services for passengers, the company has committed at least £25m extra funds to improve the resilience of the network in London and the South East, with plans to be in place by December. In the Long Distance sector, the company fell significantly short of its funded target. Under an order made by the ORR in 2012, taking account of issues beyond Network Rail's control, the company has been asked to return £53.1m to funders for failure to deliver its agreed obligations in 2013-14. The Government is reinvesting this sum to improve on-train mobile services for passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average change in rail fares was between Chelmsford and London in each of the last five years.

The Office of Rail Regulation publishes information on average changes in rail fares by sector and ticket category on their website:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/7cff3127-a5cc-4173-ac78-016db2339811.

However, I am able to provide information on the change in costs of an annual season ticket from Chelmsford to London Terminals over the last five years, as below:

 

Annual season ticket from Chelmsford to London Terminals

% change from previous year

2010

£3,120

 

2011

£3,260

4.5%

2012

£3,420

4.9%

2013

£3,540

3.5%

2014

£3,640

2.8%

 

1st Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the current status is of the application he has received from Anglia Ruskin University on establishing a new medical school; and what the timetable is for a decision on that application.

The Department has not received a formal application from Anglia Ruskin University to establish a new medical school. It is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC) to maintain the list of United Kingdom bodies entitled to award a primary medical qualification and therefore the GMC is responsible for the application process to determine whether new medical schools meet the required standards. Anglia Ruskin University has expressed interest in establishing a new medical school.

28th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has received an application from Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford to establish a new medical school.

The Department has not received a formal application from Anglia Ruskin University to establish a new medical school. It is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC) to maintain the list of United Kingdom bodies entitled to award a primary medical qualification and therefore the GMC is responsible for the application process to determine whether new medical schools meet the required standards. Anglia Ruskin University has expressed interest in establishing a new medical school.

20th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what meetings representatives from NICE (a) have had and (b) plan to have with Pfizer during the consultation period for palbociclib (Ibrance) since the publication of the draft guidance on that drug on 3 February 2017.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has advised that a meeting with Pfizer to discuss the appraisal of palbociclib took place on 22 February 2017.

17th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to provide protections to NHS frontline staff against violent and dangerous patients similar to those provided for police and fire officers; and if he will make a statement.

National Health Service staff are committed to providing health services and work hard to do so. They should not expect to suffer violence at work and this must not be tolerated. The priority is to prevent violence through measures to protect staff and by managing potentially risky situations before they escalate.

Employers in the NHS are responsible for assessing the risks of violence to their staff, for taking action to address these through prevention work, and for pursuing legal action when assaults do occur.

When incidents occur, the Department encourages the NHS to work with local police forces in seeking legal sanctions against anyone who is violent to staff. Joint working agreements on pursuing sanctions are in place between the NHS, the National Police Chiefs Council and the Crown Prosecution Service.