Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) Ministers and (b) officials were responsible for drafting (i) Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education in England Government consultation and (ii) the draft statutory guidance for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams, teachers; and which (i) organisations and (ii) individuals were consulted on the draft guidelines; known to his Department to take a (A) pro-life and (B) pro-choice view on abortion.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Sex education has been compulsory in all maintained secondary schools since 1993. When teaching sex education, schools are required to have regard to the statutory sex and relationships education guidance, which was last updated in 2000. This states that maintained schools must have an up-to-date policy, that sets out the school’s approach to sex education, that they should consult their pupils’ parents and make the policy available to parents. Governors and head teachers should discuss with parents and take on board concerns, on sensitive material to be used in the classroom.
We have recently consulted on updated guidance for sex education alongside the introduction of relationships education at primary and secondary schools. On its introduction, all schools will be required to have in place a written policy for relationships education and relationships and sex education (RSE). Schools must consult parents in developing and reviewing their policy. Schools should ensure that the policy meets the needs of pupils and parents and reflects the community they serve. Schools should also ensure that the policy sets out the content of the subjects, how the content is taught and who is responsible for teaching it. The draft guidance is also clear that schools should ensure that, when they consult parents, they provide examples of the resources they plan to use, as this can be reassuring for parents, and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. Schools should assess each resource that they propose to use to ensure that it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils, and sensitive to their needs. The Department does not provide guidance to schools on what they place in school libraries as the Department believes schools are best placed to determine this.
The Department conducted a consultation on the draft regulations, statutory guidance and regulatory impact assessment for relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education between July and November 2018. The drafting of the consultation and draft statutory guidance was led by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and I, with support from a small team of policy officials and an experienced Headteacher, Ian Bauckham CBE.
The Department was contacted by over 40,000 individuals and organisations during the consultation process. Prior to the consultation, the key decisions were informed by a thorough engagement process. The public call for evidence received over 23,000 responses and the Department engaged directly with 90 organisations, including parents, young people, headteachers, teachers, governors, subject specialists, teaching unions, charities and faith groups. The Department has not made an assessment of their views on abortion specifically. These stakeholders can be found in the Government response to the Call for Evidence at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/pshe/relationships-education-rse-health-education/supporting_documents/180718%20Consultation_call%20for%20evidence%20response_policy%20statement.pdf.
From time-to-time the Department does also receive correspondence on materials used in the current delivery of sex education and this can be due to a variety of reasons. The Department encourages correspondents to contact their school to discuss this and ensure that they are aware of the current sex and relationships education guidance. The Department would take seriously any concern regarding inappropriate materials. The Department has also received a recent petition which raised concerns about RSE resources being produced by lobby groups and external organisations. The draft guidance is clear that schools should ask to see the materials visitors will use as well as a lesson plan in advance, so that they can ensure it meets the full range of pupils’ needs (e.g. special educational needs). The Department also recognises that schools use resources from representative bodies (e.g. many Catholic and other schools draw on the model curricula provided by the Catholic Education Service.) The guidance encourages schools to draw on the expertise of the main subject associations which often quality assure third party resources.
The Department is committed to supporting schools through training, further advice to improve practice and sharing of best practice, including examples of successful parental engagement. This will include advice on using quality assured, age-appropriate resources.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve data transparency amongst large tech companies in order to support competition in the digital services sector.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The 2018 Data Protection Act, which applies the EU’s GDPR standards, ensures data transparency amongst all those who process personal data, including large tech companies. Under the GDPR, companies “must be able to demonstrate that personal data are processed in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.” These transparency obligations begin at the data collection stage and apply “throughout the life cycle of processing.
This Government is committed to promoting competition in digital markets, to boost competition and innovation for the benefit of consumers and businesses. As such, we commissioned an independent panel, led by Jason Furman to report on the state of competition in digital markets. In its report, published on 13 March, the Panel makes recommendations for changes to the UK’s competition framework in order to face the economic challenges posed by digital markets, in the UK and internationally. Their report includes a bold set of pro-competition measures to open up digital markets, including measures to improve data openness and data mobility. Government is reviewing these recommendations and will issue a response shortly.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether, as a result of the 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access, he has plans to review the role and scope of the Accelerated Access Collaborative.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
Improving the innovation ecosystem in the United Kingdom is key to delivering maximum benefits to patients, the National Health Service and wider economy. The 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access and the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) are key elements in making the NHS one of the most pro-innovation health systems.
The NHS Long Term Plan and the Second Life Sciences Sector Deal both committed to expanding the AAC to become the umbrella organisation for health innovation. It will set the strategy and priorities for a more effective innovation ecosystem, including streamlining and simplifying the funding and support landscape for the NHS and innovators.
The 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access and expanded remit of the AAC are complementary, and share commitments to supporting innovation, improving horizon scanning and improving patient access to the best value innovations.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department provides for junior soldiers at AFC Harrogate with mental health problems.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Army Foundation College (AFC) Harrogate training staff provide the first line level of support to Junior Soldiers experiencing mental health problems. They are specifically trained for their appointment to pro-actively identify recruits who may be struggling and/or experiencing problems with adapting to military life. Mental resilience training is also provided to all Junior Soldiers in the early stages of the course covering areas such as coping mechanisms, decision making and effective communication. This is reinforced through training activities including in Leadership and Initiative training, Adventurous Training and field exercises.
AFC Harrogate has a well-resourced medical and welfare department. This includes a civilian Behavioural Development Officer, who is an expert in cognitive behavioural studies and counselling, specialising in the military environment. This officer provides advice and guidance to staff on how best to manage referred Junior Soldiers. There are also military and civilian medical and welfare staff, two Padres and access to representatives from the Army Welfare Service (who also draw on support from wider public sector and charity support services).
In addition, in February 2018, the Secretary of State announced a new MOD-funded 24/7 Military Mental Health Helpline to provide support and advice to all serving personnel and their families.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether AFC Harrogate has internal mental health support workers for junior soldiers.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Army Foundation College (AFC) Harrogate training staff provide the first line level of support to Junior Soldiers experiencing mental health problems. They are specifically trained for their appointment to pro-actively identify recruits who may be struggling and/or experiencing problems with adapting to military life. Mental resilience training is also provided to all Junior Soldiers in the early stages of the course covering areas such as coping mechanisms, decision making and effective communication. This is reinforced through training activities including in Leadership and Initiative training, Adventurous Training and field exercises.
AFC Harrogate has a well-resourced medical and welfare department. This includes a civilian Behavioural Development Officer, who is an expert in cognitive behavioural studies and counselling, specialising in the military environment. This officer provides advice and guidance to staff on how best to manage referred Junior Soldiers. There are also military and civilian medical and welfare staff, two Padres and access to representatives from the Army Welfare Service (who also draw on support from wider public sector and charity support services).
In addition, in February 2018, the Secretary of State announced a new MOD-funded 24/7 Military Mental Health Helpline to provide support and advice to all serving personnel and their families.
Asked by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Public Legal Evaluation Panel to date.
Answered by Robert Buckland
As the Government’s pro bono champion, I am able to work closely with those involved in Public Legal Education, supporting initiatives to increase its profile and reach more members of the public.
The Public Legal Education panel is formed of leading organisations who promote the importance of teaching people about the law and their basic civil and criminal rights. It features members from across the legal community, for example the Law for Life, Citizens Advice and the Bar Council.
The Panel are currently combining their resources to map the provision and need of Public Legal Education around the county and to support and drive forward public legal education initiatives so more people can reap the benefits.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convictions there have been for public order offences involving pro-life vigil participants outside abortion clinics in England and Wales in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The information requested is not held centrally and could only be collated at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the imprisonment of pro-democracy leader, Wang Bingzhang, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by Chinese authorities in 2003; and what representations he has made in respect of that leader.
Answered by Mark Field
We are aware of Wang Bingzhang's case and my officials met his brother, Wang Bingwu, in April to discuss his situation. We have not made any recent representations to the Chinese authorities regarding his case.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether officials of his Department have met with representatives from (a) the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and (b) Marie Stopes International to discuss pro-life vigils outside abortion centres.
Answered by Nick Hurd
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Sheffield Heeley on the 19th March 2018, UIN 132535.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department plans to speak to women considering abortion who received assistance from people involved in pro-life vigils and who went on to have their child during its consultation on the presence of pro-life vigils near abortion clinics.
Answered by Nick Hurd
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Sheffield Heeley on the 19th March 2018, UIN 132535.