The below Parliamentary question was asked by Harriet Harman on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many housing associations have demolished residential buildings that are less than 10 years old in each of the last five years; and what the reasons were for those demolitions.
Brandon Lewis
The information requested is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Harriet Harman on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Homes and Communities Agency and (b) Wandle Housing Association Limited on the demolition of residential buildings in Solomon’s Passage, Peckham.
Brandon Lewis
None. The Regulator is aware of the issues relating to Solomon’s Passage in Peckham. They are currently considering the information provided by Wandle Housing Association in line with our processes for dealing with referrals related to the consumer standards.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that staff in his Department receive religious literacy training.
Mr Marcus Jones
Civil Service Learning, the main training portal for civil servants, has a broad range of diversity and inclusion learning, which is available to all civil servants. There is also a two day course covering both Abrahamic and Dharmic religions for officials who need a more in depth understanding to carry out their role.
DCLG officials have had discussions with the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life (CORAB) about their call for greater religious literacy in every section of society. The Government is aware of the recent evidence sessions on religious literacy held by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education and will carefully consider the findings of the Group’s report when it is published.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lyn Brown on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to review the guidance provided in Approved Document B to the Building Regulations 2010.
James Wharton
My Department is considering a number of issues related to the Building Regulations and building control system matters. We will make an announcement about our plans in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Wendy Morton on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) eviction notices and (b) legal action related to the clearance of sites of unauthorised encampments in England in 2015.
Brandon Lewis
Enforcement action against unauthorised encampments is primarily a matter for local authorities, landowners and the police. The Department does not collect information centrally on the total costs of such clearances.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many of his Department’s civil servants were based in Coventry in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Mark Francois
My Department has not had any civil servants based in Coventry in the last five years, or in fact since the department was created under the last Labour government.
My Department has 16 offices across England, with staff working to drive up housing supply, increase the number of home owners, boost local growth and support strong communities with excellent public services. We have 69 employees in the West Midlands in our Birmingham office.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support the Government is providing to remote rural communities on obtaining reliable access to broadband.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Public investment in improving broadband is nearly £1.7 billion, including £790 million of UK government funding, to bring superfast broadband to areas of the UK where it would not otherwise be available. Superfast broadband is now available to 90 per cent of UK premises and this will reach 95 per cent by December 2017.
The Government has also implemented a basic broadband scheme to enable all premises to gain access to speeds of at least 2Mbps. This allows residents to gain access to every government service available online.
Furthermore, in November 2015 the Prime Minister announced the Government’s intention to introduce a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) with the aim to provide a safety net for those homes and business in the hardest to reach parts of the UK without access to superfast broadband.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assistance the Government plans to provide to broadband suppliers to meet the terms of the Universal Services Obligation.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Universal Service Providers responsible for delivering the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) will be designated by Ofcom following changes to primary and secondary legislation. No decision has been taken yet on funding the USO’s delivery .
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Law on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many times he has visited Scotland in an official capacity since the 2015 General Election; and what meetings were held on each such visit.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Secretary of State regularly visit all parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland. Details of meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the gov.uk website.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, what checks were made on the provenance of the funds used to purchase Brompton Road underground station.
Mark Lancaster
In accordance with normal practice the independent marketing agents analysed the leading bids and bidders. Mr Firtash was regarded as a high net worth individual capable of meeting the contractual obligations.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) took a 10% deposit (over £5 million) on exchange of contracts and later a legal charge at completion to secure payment obligations. In addition, all funds were paid to the MOD through UK regulated solicitors, in accordance with normal practice, to ensure that appropriate financial checks were made on their client.