The below Parliamentary question was asked by Viscount Waverley on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what role they are proposing to give Parliament in scrutinising the outcome of the negotiations relating to the UK leaving the EU, prior to the final conclusion of those negotiations.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government will comply with all the constitutional and legal obligations that apply to the deal that we will negotiate with the EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Since the election of President Sirisena in January 2015 the Sri Lankan Government has taken a number of positive steps to improve the human rights situation in the country. Although much remains to be done, it is clear that Sri Lanka is moving in the right direction.
We welcomed the historic co-sponsorship by Sri Lanka of Resolution 30/1 at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 1 October 2015 committing it to reconciliation, accountability and the protection of human rights. Since then, the Sri Lankan Government has made encouraging progress against its commitments including the return of some military-held civilian land, the passing of legislation to establish an Office of Missing Persons and the ratification of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances.
We will continue to work with the UN, Sri Lanka and our other international partners to ensure full implementation of the UNHRC resolution, while recognising the scale of the challenge this represents and allowing time for credible, well thought out transitional justice mechanisms to be developed and implemented.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Fair Tax Mark for businesses.
Lord Young of Cookham
The Government has recently legislated for the publication of tax strategy by the largest businesses; promoting board accountability for tax, and encouraging transparency on approach to tax planning. In this context, the Government welcomes all business moves to improve transparency over their own tax affairs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve street works organisation and reinstatement.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government wants to deliver better journeys for drivers. Roadworks are essential, but that doesn’t mean they should be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary. We are continuing with our work to modernise and update legislation and statutory guidance where this is necessary and where it will lead to improvements in the way that road and street works are managed.
Recent examples include consultations earlier this year on updated statutory guidance relating to inspections and modernised regulations relating to the qualifications regime. In 2015, we updated regulations and guidance on permit schemes that are now in place in almost 60% of local authority areas and which are resulting in more effective management of street works and reductions in the duration of works. We are also working with stakeholders to review the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in the Highway (SROH).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost to high street businesses of street works that (1) overrun, and (2) exceed budget.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government has not made a specific assessment of the cost to high street business of street works that overrun. It is for the works promoter to consider the impact of works that exceed budget.
The Government published an Impact Assessment in 2012 to accompany the most recent change in legislation affecting the charges that local authorities can levy against the promoters of street works that overrun. The Impact Assessment considered the benefits to businesses of the proposals in terms of reduced congestion.
We are also aware of the general disruption that street works can cause and we are committed to improving the way that they are managed. We know that high street businesses benefit from improvements to the network and from the provision of new and upgraded utility services. However, we are working closely with the sector to ensure that street works are in place for no longer than is necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to work with the North East Combined Authority following recent decisions not to proceed with a Metro Mayor.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Government remains fully committed to the North East and to devolution, and we have made clear our willingness to work with North East leaders who want to discuss options for a new deal. We stand ready to work with those councils that share our aim to boost jobs, create opportunities and build a stronger Northern Powerhouse. This guides our ongoing engagement with councils in the area.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking with local government to promote green infrastructure.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The government is committed to developing a 25 year plan to improve the environment and this will include the importance of green infrastructure as a key underpinning of both the economy and well being.
The government is spending more than £600 million by 2020 to support the development, manufacture and uptake of electric ultra low emission vehicles in the UK. Part of this includes assisting local authorities by providing grant funding through the On Street Residential Scheme and Workplace Chargepoint Scheme to help meet the cost of installing electric vehicle chargepoints on streets in residential areas without access to off-street parking. Under the Go Ultra Low City Scheme the government is supporting a variety of infrastructure programmes for both public and domestic chargepoints across eight cities/regions of Bristol/West of England, London, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, York, Dundee, Oxford and the North East.
The government has made £1.5 million available to communities to create ‘Pocket Parks’, turning unused spaces into sensory gardens, wildlife habitats and food growing areas. The government has also submitted written evidence to the Select Committee inquiry on the future of public parks and will respond to any recommendations made as a result of this inquiry in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to encourage house building on sites where planning permissions have been given for house building.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We are keen to drive up delivery of new housing once permission has been granted and we are actively taking steps to tackle some of the factors which can delay a start to development. We are taking forward measures through the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, which was introduced on 7 September, to improve the use of planning conditions to avoid unnecessary delays to development. We have also, through the Housing and Planning Act 2016, introduced a provision for a section 106 dispute resolution process. This will assist in speeding up negotiations on the content of section 106 planning obligations, where developers and local authorities have failed to reach an agreement. Secondary legislation is required to implement the provision. We also expect the members of the Home Builders Federation to adhere to their commitments in May to provide local authorities with transparent annual returns on build-out rates. And we will be setting out further measures in the forthcoming Housing White Paper.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to encourage local government, where possible, to use biodiesel made from waste food products.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation has supported a strong market for sustainable biodiesel made from wastes through double rewards, and benefits all economic players with an interest in encouraging the use of sustainable biodiesel.
In addition buses that run on biodiesel are eligible for the Bus Service Operators Grant. Operators receive 34.57pence per litre of biodiesel used on their bus routes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Marlesford on 2016-10-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who authorised the use of RAF aircraft in the 17 September air attack on Syrian government ground forces at Deir ez-Zor in Syria and why; and how many members of the Syrian government military forces were (1) killed, and (2) wounded, in that attack.
Earl Howe
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A coalition investigation into the 17 September air attack which inadvertently targeted Syrian government ground forces is ongoing. It would be inappropriate to comment before that process is completed. |
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