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  • Crispin Blunt – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Crispin Blunt – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Crispin Blunt on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what risk assessments his Department has made of the Successor submarine and Trident missile renewal programmes; and whether a further such risk assessment is planned to inform a final main gate decision.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    Ministry of Defence and Treasury officials are involved in scrutinising and assuring the costs and the levels of risk within the Successor submarine and Trident D5 missile life extension programmes, including before major investment decisions.

  • Matthew Offord – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Matthew Offord – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the measures contained within the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation’s European Model Law for the promotion of tolerance and the suppression of intolerance.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    In the UK we have a strong legal framework against all forms of hate crime and discrimination. Many of the aims suggested in the European Model Law for the promotion of tolerance and the addressing of intolerance are reflected in our current approach and we welcome input and views on how we can improve our work.

  • Neil Coyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Neil Coyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research licences are under consideration by her Department relating to medicinal benefits of cannabinoids.

    Mike Penning

    The Home Office issues controlled drug licences to those who wish to possess, supply, produce or manufacture controlled drugs. Licences are not issued for individual pieces of research. Licences are not ordinarily granted for individual substances but schedules of substances.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the efficacy of her Department’s procedures and adequacy of the end-to-end timescale in relation to applications for no time limit and biometric immigration documentation by someone who already has indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

    James Brokenshire

    There are no plans for a specific review of the administrative handling of immigration applications. UK Visas and Immigration is, however, committed to the principles of continuous improvement and to applying these to ensure processes are efficient and effective.

    The administrative requirements, and service standards, to which applicants for indefinite leave to remain are subject, are set out at www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/settle-in-the-uk. This information is reviewed regularly, with a view to ensuring it is as clear as possible.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator has amended his advice on when high security vehicles for transporting special nuclear materials should be withdrawn from service; and for what reasons those vehicles continue to be used after their retirement date.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The High Security Vehicle was withdrawn from service on 31 July 2015 and has therefore not been used for operations since that date. The decision to withdraw the vehicle was taken by Defence Equipment and Support. I am withholding further information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason high security vehicles were being used to transport components of nuclear weapons through Glasgow on 29 July 2015 after being withdrawn from service.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The High Security Vehicle was withdrawn from service on 31 July 2015 and has therefore not been used for operations since that date. The decision to withdraw the vehicle was taken by Defence Equipment and Support. I am withholding further information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of the level of inequalities experienced by LGBTI people in Northern Ireland.

    Mr Ben Wallace

    The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, a non-departmental public body established by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, is responsible for equality issues in Northern Ireland.

    The Commission is sponsored by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMdFM). The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland or OFMdFM would be best placed to provide an assessment of the level of inequality experienced by LGBTI people in Northern Ireland.

  • Graham Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Graham Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2015-10-15.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many mandatory reconsiderations for tax credits which were undertaken by Concentrix took (a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four, (e) five, (f) six, (g) seven, (h) eight, (i) nine, (j) 10 and (k) more than 10 weeks in each year since that company has been contracted by the Department.

    Mr David Gauke

    The information requested is not available in the form requested.

  • Louise Ellman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Louise Ellman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the authorities in Iraq on the Yazidi community in that country.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers continue to raise the situation of minority communities in Iraq with the Iraqi authorities. The Government condemns in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by ISIL against all communities throughout the areas under its control. We are working closely with the Iraqi Government, the Kurdistan Regional Government and our international coalition partners to assist and protect civilians. The human rights situation in areas under ISIL control is gravely concerning, including for Yezidis, and Yezidi women in particular. We have received reports, including from Amnesty International, of the ordeal faced by these women and others abducted by ISIL, including rape, forced marriage, sexual abuse, forced conversion, and being sold as slaves. Working with the Department for International Development, we are already funding activities to protect vulnerable civilians, such as legal assistance and support groups for women. We are continuing to explore what further support we might be able to provide to vulnerable groups and internally displaced persons. We welcome the commitments that Prime Minister al-Abadi has made to inclusivity, protecting Iraqi citizens, addressing human rights abuses and holding those responsible to account.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received on planned reductions to the policing budget in Cumbria.

    Mike Penning

    Ministers are in regular contact with Police and Crime Commissioners and other interested parties and discuss a variety of matters, including resources. Ministers recently received representations from the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable in response to the consultation on reform of the police funding arrangements in England and Wales.On the basis of our review of consultation responses and other feedback received we are proposing a number of refinements be made to the model. The Policing Minister wrote to all PCCs and Chiefs on 8 October to provide detail on the proposed refinements, set out the indicative force-level impact and invite further comments.