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Peter Bone – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will extend the Help to Buy scheme to shared ownership housing association tenants.

Gavin Barwell

The Government has recently launched the new Help to Buy: Shared Ownership scheme which enables people to purchase an initial 25% to 75% of a new home and pay rent on the remainder with the option to purchase more later. It is open to those with a household income below £80,000 in England or £90,000 in London. The Government has no plans to combine this with Help to Buy: Equity Loan.

01/01/2023
Tom Watson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the games industry on the potential effects on that industry of the UK leaving the EU.

Matt Hancock

We have ongoing, detailed discussions with the Games industry and others on all matters, including the UK leaving the EU. The Games industry is represented on the Creative Industries Council, which met on the 27th October 2016.

01/01/2023
Jeremy Lefroy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeremy Lefroy on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his Department’s policy that all submarines being constructed for the Royal Navy meet shock standard BR3021 as a minimum in respect of hydroplane bolts.

Harriett Baldwin

Hydroplane bolts are externally located equipment, whereas the BR Standard referred to, albeit superseded, sets standards for internal equipment. The Department is satisfied that appropriate standards are met for this equipment in accordance with our existing guidance.

01/01/2023

Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) missions flown and (b) air strikes the armed forces have conducted within Iraqi territory in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Penning

From 1 October 2015 to 25 October 2016 the UK conducted 1,991 combat missions over Iraq. Broken down by month these are:

	Typhoon FGR4	Tornado GR4	Reaper MQ9
2015
October	0	45	61
November	0	52	62
December	47	72	56
2016
January	48	72	74
February	49	73	54
March	55	53	55
April	48	46	56
May	51	52	66
June	50	46	71
July	51	44	66
August	39	46	61
September	33	44	63
October	41	38	51
Total	512	683	796

During 1 October 2015 – 25 October 2016 the UK has conducted a total of 784 airstrikes within Iraqi territory. These are detailed as follows:

2015
October	18
November	57
December	86
2016
January	97
February	60
March	67
April	70
May	69
June	77
July	44
August	42
September	51
October	46
Total	784

These strike numbers are constantly reviewed and updated by the Coalition to ensure records are as complete and as accurate as possible. As such, past and future statements regarding statistics may differ to those given here.

01/01/2023

Steven Paterson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steven Paterson on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency plans his Department has for the decommissioning of nuclear-powered submarines if a suitable geological disposal facility is not identified.

Harriett Baldwin

Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) is the only type of waste from submarines that will require the use of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). A facility for the interim storage of ILW has been arranged at Capenhurst in Cheshire until the proposed GDF is available from 2040. In line with Government guidance, the interim ILW store will have a design life of at least 100 years – considerably longer than it is anticipated will be required.

01/01/2023
Steven Paterson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steven Paterson on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many nuclear-powered submarines are waiting for decommissioning work to be (a) commenced and (b) completed.

Harriett Baldwin

There are 12 submarines in laid-up storage in Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport and seven at Rosyth Dockyard. Under the Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) one submarine will commence ‘Initial Dismantling’ at Rosyth later in 2016, subject to regulatory permissions, to refine the process.

While laid-up, the submarines are subject to regular maintenance and checks by both the Ministry of Defence and regulators, and pose no additional risk to workers or members of the public.

01/01/2023
Nick Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Smith on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what meetings her Department has had with supermarkets to discuss ensuring their packaging for produce and goods is recyclable.

Dr Thérèse Coffey

The Department has regular meetings and conversations with retailer stakeholder groups and representatives from the packaging industry, including representatives of supermarkets. The Department also works through the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) on wide-ranging initiatives aimed at increasing recycling. Many of these initiatives, including the Courtauld Commitment, involve supermarkets.

01/01/2023
Cheryl Gillan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to implement the Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs, revised in 2014, on extending the protection for the rarest and most vulnerable lowland grasslands to all sites that meet the criteria.

Dr Thérèse Coffey

Selection and notification of sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) is a matter for Natural England. Natural England has published its current designations programme on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-designations-programme-for-areas-sites-and-trails) and this includes several areas that host lowland grassland habitats. Natural England will continue to implement the Guidelines for the selection of biological SSSIs, as appropriate.

01/01/2023
Jamie Reed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how his Department plans to distribute money awarded by the European Solidarity Fund to flood-affected communities in the event that funds are awarded.

Andrew Percy

The Government will determine how best to use any additional benefit received from the European Union Solidarity Fund once the amount of any award is known.

01/01/2023
Jamie Reed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will visit Keswick to meet the Keswick Flood Action Group, the Keswick Town Council and the hon. Member for Copeland to discuss flood prevention.

Dr Thérèse Coffey

I visited Keswick on 9 August 2016 and met members of the Keswick Flood Action Group. I saw and heard about both the impact of the winter floods and the programme of work on flooding prevention and resilience enhancement.

I do not have another visit scheduled but I would be glad to meet the hon. Member for Copeland and Keswick representatives next time. Meanwhile, I am keen to support the good work that the Cumbria Flood Partnership and all local parties are doing on flood prevention and preparedness for the coming winter.

01/01/2023