Fiona Mactaggart

Labour - Former Member for Slough

First elected: 1st May 1997

Left House: 3rd May 2017 (General Election)


Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
9th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
13th May 2014 - 30th Mar 2015
Public Accounts Committee
24th Oct 2011 - 7th Apr 2014
Draft Modern Slavery Bill
9th Jan 2014 - 3rd Apr 2014
Shadow Minister (Equalities)
26th Apr 2011 - 7th Oct 2011
Shadow Minister (Equalities Office)
8th Oct 2010 - 26th Apr 2011
Health and Social Care Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 2nd Nov 2010
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
7th Dec 2009 - 6th May 2010
Children, Schools and Families
9th Nov 2007 - 6th May 2010
Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Joint Committee)
1st May 2008 - 22nd Jul 2008
Education & Skills
17th Jul 2006 - 8th Nov 2007
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th Jun 2003 - 5th May 2006
Public Administration Committee
16th Jul 1997 - 3rd Feb 1998


Division Voting information

Fiona Mactaggart has voted in 1986 divisions, and 24 times against the majority of their Party.

19 Apr 2017 - Early Parliamentary General Election - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 174 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 522 Noes - 13
8 Feb 2017 - Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 68 Labour No votes vs 85 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 409 Noes - 126
15 Nov 2016 - Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Labour Aye votes vs 182 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 295 Noes - 245
16 Dec 2015 - Representation of the People (Proportional Representation) (House of Commons) - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Labour Aye votes vs 26 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 27 Noes - 164
24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Labour Aye votes vs 105 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 119 Noes - 193
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 41 Labour Aye votes vs 162 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
18 Mar 2013 - Crime and Courts Bill [Lords] (Programme) ((No. 3) - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Labour Aye votes vs 214 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 40 Noes - 508
30 Nov 2011 - Hairdressers Registration (Amendment) - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 5 Labour No votes vs 30 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 67
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 29 Labour No votes vs 83 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 100 Noes - 331
26 Jan 2010 - Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Labour Aye votes vs 238 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 170 Noes - 249
9 Nov 2009 - Coroners and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Labour Aye votes vs 265 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 266 Noes - 274
1 Jul 2009 - Parliamentary Standards Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 239 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 247 Noes - 250
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour Aye votes vs 216 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 285
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour No votes vs 210 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 100
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2) - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Labour No votes vs 263 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 157
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 82 Labour Aye votes vs 136 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 196
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Expenses - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 50 Labour No votes vs 144 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 172 Noes - 144
9 Jan 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill (Programme) (No. 3) - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 270 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 279 Noes - 224
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 86 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 113 Noes - 27
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Labour Aye votes vs 77 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 33 Noes - 100
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Labour Aye votes vs 74 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 32 Noes - 96
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 126 Labour Aye votes vs 184 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 418
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 132 Labour Aye votes vs 177 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 392
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Fiona Mactaggart voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 156 Labour Aye votes vs 157 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
View All Fiona Mactaggart 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
Theresa May (Conservative)
(65 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(43 debate interactions)
Michael Gove (Conservative)
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
(34 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(227 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(106 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(75 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(59 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Digital Economy Act 2017
(468 words contributed)
Investigatory Powers Act 2016
(180 words contributed)
Investigatory Powers Act 2016
(180 words contributed)
Immigration Act 2016
(22 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Fiona Mactaggart's debates

Slough Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Fiona Mactaggart has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Fiona Mactaggart

19th October 2016
Fiona Mactaggart signed this EDM on Tuesday 18th April 2017

GINGERBREAD REPORT ON CHILD MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Tabled by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
That this House welcomes the report from the charity Gingerbread, entitled Missing maintenance; notes that when child maintenance goes unpaid by a parent, children lose out; deplores the disastrous record of the Child Support Agency in collecting unpaid child maintenance, which has resulted in almost £4 billion of outstanding arrears; …
97 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Apr 2017)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 41
Labour: 35
Liberal Democrat: 7
Independent: 5
Conservative: 4
Plaid Cymru: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Non-affiliated: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
1st March 2017
Fiona Mactaggart signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 1st March 2017

OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Tabled by: Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
That this House supports Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month which takes place in March 2017; notes that over 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer across the UK each year; is concerned that just one in five women are able to name the lead symptom of bloating; recognises that early diagnosis …
53 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Apr 2017)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 19
Labour: 17
Democratic Unionist Party: 5
Independent: 4
Conservative: 4
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 2
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
View All Fiona Mactaggart's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Fiona Mactaggart, 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.


Fiona Mactaggart has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Fiona Mactaggart has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Fiona Mactaggart


A Bill to require retailers and manufacturers in the UK to make annual statements of measures taken by them to eradicate slavery and human trafficking and exploitation from their direct supply chains; to require large retailers and manufacturers to provide customers with information about measures taken by them to eliminate slavery and human trafficking and exploitation; to provide victims of slavery with necessary protections and rights; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 28th February 2012

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
4 Other Department Questions
2nd Nov 2015
To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what discussions the Speaker's Committee has had on the extent of electoral fraud; and if he will make a statement.

The Speaker's Committee is in regular dialogue with the Electoral Commission on matters concerning electoral fraud, most notably in advance of the Commission publishing its corporate plan on an annual basis.


The Commission provides advice to those who are involved on the frontline in identifying, investigating and prosecuting cases of electoral fraud. Before each set of elections the Commission provides advice to the police, electoral administrators and others on ways to prevent and detect electoral fraud, based on the best practice it has identified through working with partners across electoral administration and the justice system. Each year the Commission publishes data on allegations of electoral fraud that are reported to the police.


The Commission targets additional support for those on the front line in 18 areas in England where there is a higher risk of allegations of electoral fraud. This includes Slough and the Commission will be working again with these areas before the elections in May 2016 to build on what was done prior to the General Election. The Commission issued briefings to all honourable members in the last parliament on the work it was undertaking prior to the General Election to help tackle electoral fraud and will do so again before the elections in May 2016.


In its 2014 review of electoral fraud, the Commission recommended that voters in Great Britain should be required to produce ID at polling stations, although it is yet to receive a response to this recommendation from the Government. The Commission has submitted evidence to the review being undertaken by Sir Eric Pickles and hopes that he agrees with it and that the Government accepts the Commission’s recommendation.


24th Jun 2015
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when the UK last nominated a member of the expert committee of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and for what reason she has not made a nomination in relation to forthcoming vacancies.

The UK government has not put forward a candidate for election to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women since signing the Convention in 1981. Whilst nominating a candidate has been considered, a variety of reasons such as the timing of the election and the resources required from across Government have meant that we have not yet done so.


The UK strongly supports the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) against Women and it is committed to advancing women’s rights. We are fully committed to the CEDAW process, including submitting reports and participating in the oral examination, and are fully engaged with the UN and the Committee. UK nationals are well represented on other UN treaty monitoring bodies, such as the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

11th Sep 2014
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether he has received a report from electoral registration officers in Scotland on removal of people from the electoral register on the grounds that they are additionally registered elsewhere; what guidance he issues to electoral registration officers on how to use their discretion when registering residents; and if he will make a statement.

I have had no reports on the removal of people from the electoral register in Scotland on the grounds that they were additionally registered elsewhere.

People are free to register in more than one place if it appears to the relevant Registration Officers that they are resident in that area.

The Electoral Commission has produced guidance on this issue to assist Registration Officers in effectively carrying out their duties.

However, it is ultimately a matter for the local Registration Officer to determine whether an individual is resident at a particular address, taking into account relevant circumstances of the particular case.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many households with a below-average income have received support for comprehensive insulation of their homes in the last year.

The Coalition Government is committed to fighting fuel poverty through the installation of robust energy efficiency measures.

Statistics published this morning show that from the start of 2013 to the end of April 2014, 394,000 low-income and vulnerable consumers, or households in specified areas of low income, had benefitted from energy efficiency measures being installed under the new Energy Company Obligation.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will request that the Office for National Statistics publishes the evidential basis for the comment by the Minister for Housing of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 606, on changes in rents in London.

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

29th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to answer the letter of 10 August 2016 from the right hon. Member for Slough on assistance in dealing with anti-competitive practices in booking flights in Thailand.

The Department does not have a record of receiving this letter from the Hon Member. I would be pleased to provide a response upon receipt of a copy of the correspondence.

31st Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps she has taken to improve access to cultural experiences for young people from low-income households; and if she will make a statement.

Improving access to culture for young people from low-income backgrounds remains a core part of this Government's strategy and our Culture White Paper.

The Government is improving cultural access through a number of schemes including:

  • the Cultural Citizens Programme;

  • sustained investment in music and cultural education; and

through the Arts Council's Creative People and Places Programme.

6th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on increasing the contribution of creative subjects to children's learning; and if he will make a statement.

My Department works closely with the Department for Education. Government believes all pupils should have access to a broad and balanced education, and the arts are an essential part of the National Curriculum.

13th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how long, on average, students wait for a decision on funding if they require the Home Office to confirm to Student Finance England that their immigration status makes them eligible to apply for that funding.

The Home Office works to an agreement to confirm decisions on eligibility for student funding within 10 working days. Regulatory changes that created a new long residency category of customers made earlier in 2016 have resulted in an increase in numbers of customers being referred for checks with the Home Office. This has led to an increase in processing times for such checks. Extra resource has now been provided to increase the volume completed by 25% per day.

It is the responsibility of individual students to provide the necessary evidence in support of their application. My officials are working with the Home Office to explore what additional support or alternative solutions can be provided to increase the speed of immigration status checks.

13th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the quota of 20 immigration status checks per day allocated to Student Finance England.

The Home Office works to an agreement to confirm decisions on eligibility for student funding within 10 working days. Regulatory changes that created a new long residency category of customers made earlier in 2016 have resulted in an increase in numbers of customers being referred for checks with the Home Office. This has led to an increase in processing times for such checks. Extra resource has now been provided to increase the volume completed by 25% per day.

It is the responsibility of individual students to provide the necessary evidence in support of their application. My officials are working with the Home Office to explore what additional support or alternative solutions can be provided to increase the speed of immigration status checks.

13th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many applicants for student finance for the 2016-17 academic year are still awaiting a decision; and how many of those applicants are awaiting an immigration status check before their eligibility can be decided.

As of 13 December 2016, 1,342 customers are awaiting an immigration status check with the Home Office before their eligibility can be decided.

The Home Office works to an agreement to confirm decisions on eligibility for student funding within 10 working days. Regulatory changes that created a new long residency category of customers made earlier in 2016 have resulted in an increase in numbers of customers being referred for checks with the Home Office. This has led to an increase in processing times for such checks. Extra resource has now been provided to increase the volume completed by 25% per day.

It is the responsibility of individual students to provide the necessary evidence in support of their application. My officials are working with the Home Office to explore what additional support or alternative solutions can be provided to increase the speed of immigration status checks.

24th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which schools in Slough are partner schools for Teach First.

Teach First currently has two cohorts of trainees participating in its two year Leadership Development Programme in Slough. They are placed in the following schools:

  • Foxborough Primary School

  • Marish Primary School

  • Montem Academy

  • St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

  • St Ethelbert's Catholic Primary School

  • Slough and Eton Church of England Business and Enterprise College

  • Wexham Court Primary School

  • Willow Primary School

14th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she last met the Home Secretary to discuss support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children and trafficked children; and if she will make a statement.

The Government attaches high priority to ensuring that unaccompanied asylum seeking children and trafficked children who arrive in the UK are safe and well cared for. Responsibility for this rests with local authorities.

On 15 December 2015, the Minister for Immigration and Ico-hosted a round table with key local authority representatives to discuss how this responsibility can be shared more evenly between local authorities, in order to relieve pressure on children’s services in those areas with a disproportionately high number. We believe that sharing out this responsibility will benefit both the children involved and other children already in the care of those authorities. Ensuring that unaccompanied asylum seeking children are safe and well supported will remain of paramount importance for any new arrangements arising out of these discussions.

21st Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that funding calculations for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools track demand and pupil numbers closely.

Funding to local authorities for both primary and secondary schools is calculated on the basis of pupil numbers recorded in the Schools Census in October of the previous year. This lagged funding system allows local authorities to set firm school budgets before the financial year starts, which helps schools’ financial planning. The lagged funding system means that institutions experiencing growth in-year will not ordinarily see increases in their funding until the following financial year.

Local authorities do have the freedom to top slice the dedicated schools grant to form a growth fund, which can be used to support schools and academies suffering financial difficulty due to growing pupil numbers in their area. It is for local authorities to decide whether to set up a growth fund, and which schools in their areas should benefit from this fund.

17th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which primary schools in each local authority area have more than 600 pupils.

Data on the number of pupils enrolled at all maintained schools, academies (including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges) and non‑maintained special schools, is collected through the school census.

Pupil numbers for individual schools are included within the underlying data of the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2014’[1] statistical first release.

A table listing all primary schools with more than 600 pupils is attached to this answer.

[1] www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2014

17th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which schools have received a net reduction in funding between 2013-14 and 2014-15.

A school’s total Schools Block funding will change between the two years depending on the number of pupils registered at the school and their characteristics as well as the schools funding formula determined by the local authority.The minimum funding guarantee ensures that no school should see a reduction in their Schools Block per-pupil funding in 2014-15 of more than 1.5% compared to the previous year.

17th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what figures her Department holds on pupil intake changes of schools founded before 2010 ranked by those which have experienced the most rapid growth in pupil numbers.

Data on the pupils enrolled at all maintained schools, academies (including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges) and non‑maintained special schools, is collected via the school census. Data is collected for all schools regardless of growth in pupil numbers or date of opening of the school. The school census captures a wide range of information including pupil headcount, special educational needs, eligibility for free school meals, first language and ethnicity (though not pupil nationality).

Data for individual schools is included within the underlying data of the series listed below: ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’[1] and ‘Special educational needs in England’.[2]

[1] www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers

[2] www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-special-educational-needs-sen

9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support rebuilding work in the Caribbean after Hurricane Joaquin.

Following a request from the Government of the Bahamas the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Lyme Bay was deployed to provide humanitarian assistance to the worst affected of the Family Islands. During its deployment, working in close coordination with the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency and the Royal Bahamian Defence Force, the RFA Lyme Bay was able to distribute approximately 60 tonnes of emergency stores on behalf of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and to provide evacuation, clean-up, repair and other immediate emergency assistance on Acklins Island, Long Island, Long Cay and Crooked Islands. The RFA Lyme Bay was also able to offer valuable support for the international rapid assessment mission by accommodating on board the 19 person strong CDEMA assessment teams from 6-8 October and facilitating their access to the most affected islands.

17th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many development projects funded by the UK Government in East Jerusalem or the West Bank have been demolished or damaged by the Israeli authorities in each of the last five years; and what the replacement value was of each such project.

No UK-funded development projects have been demolished or damaged by the Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem or the West Bank in the last five years.

17th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with its Belgian equivalents on developing a common European response to Israeli demolition of EU-funded development projects in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

No such discussions have taken place. The UK remains deeply concerned about demolitions of Palestinian property, which cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, are harmful to the peace process and, in all but the most limited circumstances, are contrary to international humanitarian law. The UK and the EU are currently engaging with the Israeli authorities in order to accelerate the approval of UK-funded masterplans for Palestinian communities in Area C of the West Bank. These plans provide the basis for sustainable development in Area C and reduce the risk of demolition.

26th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what help she plans to give to children in Gaza who require support to deal with trauma related to bombing.

More than half of DFID’s £3million Rapid Response Facility is supporting the provision of health and psycho-social care for women and children. DFID also supports the UN Relief and Works Agency, who are deploying counsellors to all Gaza shelters to mitigate the impact of psychological trauma sustained by civilians.

18th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to advise businesses with respect to trading with illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon Member for Slough to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Knowsley on 23 November, UIN: 53322.

16th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2016 to Question 906162, what steps he plans to take in a future trade agreement with Israel to make that deal contingent on preventing illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

The UK is clear that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. We firmly believe that the occupation is unacceptable and unsustainable. We are determined to see a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. The UK remains focused on achieving a two-state solution and we continue to believe that the best way to achieve this is through negotiations between the parties.

The UK and Israel have a strong and important trading relationship. We are supportive of the current EU-Israel Association Agreement. Whilst it would be wrong to set out unilateral positions on trade deals at this stage, we are committed to working towards a smooth transition for businesses to minimise disruption to exports and investment as we leave the EU.

2nd Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on business of airport expansion in the South East.

Expansion at Heathrow will enable businesses to take advantage of new destinations, extra seats and more frequent services.

It is expected that in 2040 alone, businesses from all over the UK will make an extra 6 million trips through an expanded Heathrow. Making use of this greater international connectivity would help boost trade and productivity, and the UK economy.

Not only will greater connectivity enable business travel, the significant increase in flights, especially to long haul destinations, represents a big increase in the capacity available to the air freight industry, helping to lower costs and increase trade.

An additional runway at Heathrow will also deliver a significant boost in local employment and opportunities for businesses. Analysis suggests that an additional runway at Heathrow would deliver up to 77,000 local jobs by 2030. Expansion is also expected to benefit businesses located around the expanded airport, further boosting productivity.

9th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with businesses on the effects on vehicle leasing companies of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012; and if he will make a statement.

I have had no discussions about vehicle leasing but I do meet with both Accredited Trade Associations in the private parking sector - the British Parking Association and the Independent Parking Committee – as do officials in my Department.

17th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will conduct a peer review into the death of Alan McCardle in Slough.

The department is unable to comment on individual cases.

16th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have died within a week of being notified of a benefit sanction in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not collected.

11th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the imposition of a three-year benefit sanction on the health of people subject to such sanctions.

The sanctions system is designed to encourage claimants to comply with the reasonable requirements placed upon the receipt of their benefit. A very small minority of JSA claimants have ever received a three year sanction and the vast majority engage positively with the support designed to help them get back into work.

Three year sanctions only apply where claimants have consistently and deliberately breached their most important requirements at least three times within a year. This includes failing to take up a job when it is on offer or being dismissed for misconduct from a previous job.

If a sanction is applied, claimants are able to apply for hardship payments.

Esther McVey
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
6th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants who have received a sanction have been on jobseeker's allowance for 26 weeks or more.

The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Esther McVey
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
6th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants have received a three-year sanction in each of the last 12 months.

The information requested, in respect of all three questions above, is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Esther McVey
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
6th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants who have received a three-year sanction have had that sanction removed following mandatory reconsideration since the introduction of that policy.

The information requested, in respect of all three questions above, is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Esther McVey
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
18th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of members of health trust boards are women.

All National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty and must annually publish evidence of compliance. NHS Improvement is currently undertaking a data collection exercise which will enable it to begin publishing information about the diversity of trust boards later this year.

14th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make an assessment of the significance of the average age at death in assessing the health needs of a community; and if he will make a statement.

We want everyone to have the same opportunity to have a long and healthy life, whoever they are, wherever they live and whatever their social circumstances.

Local areas are rightly placed to determine the health needs of their local populations and that is why the Government will give £16 billion to local government over the course of this Parliament for public health.

22nd Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has held with medical practitioners on preventing patients from travelling to China for organ transplants.

There have been no such discussions.

Patients cannot be prevented from travelling to China but should be aware of the risks, including possible prosecution, poor donor care, poorer graft survival, infection and in extreme cases, death.

The Government supports the establishment of lawful and ethical organ donation and transplantation programmes to address the world-wide shortage of organs for transplant and a range of action to discourage organ trafficking, transplant tourism and commercialism. The United Kingdom formally signed the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Organs on 25 March 2015 and has laws and protocols in place to ensure well-regulated practice to prevent organ trafficking in the UK.

22nd Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has held with his counterparts in China on that country's organ transplant programme; and if he will make a statement.

We continue to engage the Chinese authorities on our concerns surrounding their organ transplant programme. I opened the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 27 October, where my officials raised these concerns, and also allegations of forced organ removals, with the Chinese delegation. My officials have raised the issue separately with the Chinese Embassy and our Embassy in Beijing has received information from the National Health and Family Planning Commission in China about their handling of organ transplants.

As my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Sir Alan Duncan MP), the Minister for Europe and the Americas, stated in a Westminster Hall debate on 11 October 2016: "Although I do not doubt the need to maintain close scrutiny of organ transplant practices in China, we believe that the evidence base is not sufficiently strong to substantiate claims about the systematic harvesting of organs from minority groups. Indeed, based on all the evidence available to us, we cannot conclude that this practice of "organ harvesting" is definitely happening in China."

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to raise the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities in India during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to the UK in November 2015; and if he will make a statement.

India and the UK have a rich, wide-ranging and mature bilateral relationship. We will discuss a broad spectrum of issues during Prime Minister Modi's visit.

The UK raises a range of human rights matters with India, including religious freedom and the treatment of ethnic minorities, both bilaterally and through the EU. This includes meeting Union and State level government institutions, such as the Indian National Commission for Minorities, which the British High Commission in New Delhi met earlier this month. The High Commission also stays in regular contact with civil society organisations and senior faith leaders working on religious freedom across India.

14th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many women have been repatriated after seeking help from the risk of forced marriage from the Forced Marriage Unit or a British Post overseas in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

The Forced Marriage Unit provides a range of support and assistance to both women and men who are at risk of forced marriage. In 2014 the Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support, related to a possible forced marriage, in 1267 cases. To provide more information on the nature of the assistance provided, including repatriation, would involve a disproportionate cost.
Grant Shapps
Secretary of State for Defence
22nd Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Indian government on the use of torture on terror suspects; and if he will make a statement.

The Government stands firmly against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. We recommended that the Indian government expedite ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) during India’s Universal Periodic Review in May 2012. The issue was also raised at the EU-Indian Human Rights Dialogue in December 2013. We will continue to encourage India and all countries to sign and ratify UNCAT and its Optional Protocol.

17th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions Ministers and officials of his Department have had with their Belgian counterparts on developing a common European response to Israeli demolition of EU-funded development projects in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We have serious concerns about demolitions of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities. We are currently engaged in discussions with EU partners, including Belgium, on what the EU response should be if EU-funded structures in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are demolished.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what response the Israeli government has made to (a) him and (b) his EU counterparts to their condemnations of the recent expropriation of land near Etzion and Bethlehem in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

During my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 5-8 October, on 6 October I discussed with the Israeli Justice Minister my strong concerns about the recent land expopriation, she noted my concerns.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made to date on lifting the blockade of Gaza.

During my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 5-8 October, I was informed by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Israel is letting around 400 trucks of humanitarian aid from Israel into Gaza every day. The number of businessmen being allowed from Gaza to the West Bank is up to 200 per day. 1,500 Gazans had travelled to the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israel for Eid this week. Fishing goods and agricultural goods were now being transferred for sale in the West Bank. While this is a start to the progress of lifting the restrictions, the current ceasefire provides a critical window of opportunity for reaching a comprehensive agreement that tackles the underlying causes of the conflict, which should ensure that Israel lifts its restrictions fully as we have been calling Israel to do.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli authorities on plans to transfer 12,500 Jahalin, Kaabneh and Rashaida Palestinian Bedouin from Area C East of Jerusalem to a new urban extension of Jericho.

I raised strong concerns over the plans to move the Bedouin population from Area C with the Israeli Justice Minister on 6 October during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 5-8 October.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take either unilaterally or with other EU states in response to the refusal of the Israeli government to reverse its most recent expropriation of land near Etzion and Bethlehem.

The UK deplores Israel’s decision to expropriate 988 acres of land near Etzion and Bethlehem. The UK, along with a number of EU counterparts, and the European External Action Service, continues to urge the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision. Discussions are continuing with EU partners about what more can be done to discourage Israeli settlement activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what consular assistance has been given to Mr Hasnain Ali during his trial in United Arab Emirates.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and our Embassy in Dubai have provided full consular assistance to Mr Hasnain Ali since we were informed of his detention, and throughout his trial. This has included regular prison visits by Consular Officials, assisting family members to visit and attending court hearings. On 15 April 2014, Mr Hasnain Ali was found innocent and his court case concluded. Consular officials are providing ongoing assistance as Mr Hasnain Ali prepares to leave Dubai.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his United Arab Emirates counterpart on the treatment of Mr Hasnain Ali.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not comment on individual cases. However, we take all allegations of the mistreatment of British nationals extremely seriously. With an individual's permission, we take up any complaint about ill-treatment with the relevant authorities.

15th Jun 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax credit cases which have been processed by Concentrix have involved single parents; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the right honourable gentleman to the answer I gave on 4 February 2016 [24418].

15th Jul 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what average length of time was taken to provide individual taxpayers with refunds of overpaid tax in (a) the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) the preceding four years.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) refunds tax to individual customers for different types of taxes throughout the year. HMRC endeavours to refund tax as soon as practicable after they identify tax is to be refunded.