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  • Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential role of agroecology in African rural development.

    Grant Shapps

    Agro ecological approaches have an important role to play in specific contexts, including in Africa, but DFID does not prescribe technical approaches centrally. The best approaches for interventions are identified in consideration of the specific context of implementation. DFID is supporting a wide range of programmes with agro-ecological components, from soil and water conservation and land use management to climate resilience and conservation agriculture. On the research front, DFID supports the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security research programme as well as the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification Research and Learning in Africa. The Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme supports farmers to adapt agricultural systems to be climate resilient. The full range of our programmes can be found on our Development Tracker: http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/

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  • Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance and support her Department is providing to refugees based in Turkey; and if she will make a statement.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    Turkey hosts almost 2.1 million refugees from Syria, the highest number of refugees of any country in the region surrounding Syria. We commend the generosity that Turkey has shown towards those fleeing the conflict in Syria. The UK has allocated £34 million to support Syrian refugees in Turkey, including food, shelter and primary healthcare. The UK is also working in partnership with Turkish institutions on targeted projects to build their capacity to tackle irregular migration. The EU is currently working in partnership with the Turkish government to explore options for increased support to Turkey. The UK is engaged in this process.

  • Imran Hussain – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Imran Hussain – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is providing to areas affected by the recent earthquake in Afghanistan.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    We are in close contact with our governmental and non-governmental partners in Afghanistan and Pakistan who are assessing and responding to the situation on the ground. Whilst we have not received any official requests for assistance at this stage, we do have multi-year humanitarian programmes in both countries which could be drawn upon if needed.

    In Afghanistan, DFID is providing up to £80 million of humanitarian support over 2015-2019, including through the UN-led Common Humanitarian Fund and the International Committee of the Red Cross. In Pakistan, our multi-year humanitarian programme could provide up to £100 million over 2014-2018 for immediate relief and early recovery, depending on the extent of emergencies which occur. In both countries we are also supporting work by local organisations to build resilience to natural disasters and increase preparedness for recurring events.

  • Stephen Gethins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Stephen Gethins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in what way her Department is supporting the work of the Church of Scotland in South Sudan.

    Grant Shapps

    Whilst our DFID programme has not directly engaged with the Church of Scotland, the UK does support faith-led reconciliation efforts in South Sudan. We fund two projects that, through our implementing partners the Catholic Relief Services and the UN Development Programme, work closely with the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission (SSPRC). The SSPRC plays an important role in coordinating a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and shape peace related actions within South Sudan.

  • Chris Evans – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Chris Evans – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Evans on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals on guardianship to help the families of missing people.

    Dominic Raab

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for York Outer on 15 June 2015, which can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-08/1400/.

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  • Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his plans are for Just Solutions International; and if he will make a statement.

    Andrew Selous

    I refer the hon member to the Secretary of State’s statement of 13 October 2015 at the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151013/debtext/151013-0001.htm#15101362000003

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  • Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime.

    Mike Penning

    The Government is undertaking a wide range of measures to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime.

    We recently published a revised Victims’ Code which will come into force on 16 November. As a result, victims of all criminal offences, and not just victims of more serious offences, will be entitled to support; and victims will be entitled to support from a wider range of organisations.

    Significant work is being undertaken by the Ministry of Justice to improve the experience of victims and witnesses when they engage with the criminal justice system, which includes strengthening the protection available when going to court. We have already doubled the number of Registered Intermediaries available to offer support to vulnerable witnesses and are giving vulnerable victims and witnesses greater opportunity to give evidence away from court using new live-link facilities. This is on top of a range of existing special measures to help reduce the anxiety of attending court, including giving evidence from behind a screen in the courtroom or the use of live-link from another room in court to the courtroom.

    Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for commissioning the majority of emotional, practical and specialist support services for victims of crime, based on their assessment of local needs, and receive funding from the Ministry of Justice to do so. In addition, the Ministry of Justice funds services to support those bereaved by murder and manslaughter, female and male victims of rape, victims of road traffic crime and victims of terrorism, and support for victims and witnesses attending criminal courts. To help victims find the services they need, the Ministry of Justice has recently launched the Victims’ Information Service, which includes a website directory of services and a free telephone helpline which can provide immediate assistance and support.

  • Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which articles contained in the Human Rights Act are planned to be omitted from the proposed British Bill of Rights.

    Dominic Raab

    Our Bill of Rights will protect fundamental human rights, and prevent abuse of the system. The Government will fully consult on our proposals before introducing legislation and we will set out our proposals in due course.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which of the articles contained in the European Convention on Human Rights his Department plans to omit in a future British Bill of Rights.

    Dominic Raab

    This Government will fully consult on our proposals this session before introducing legislation for a Bill of Rights. Further details will be announced this Autum.

  • Tulip Siddiq – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Tulip Siddiq – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many applications to county courts have been made by tenants against landlords for failure to comply with their Tenancy Deposit Scheme obligations under Part 6, Chapter 4, Sections 212-213 of the Housing Act 2004 in each year since those provisions came into force; how many such cases were found in favour of the (a) landlord and (b) tenant; and of those such cases found in favour of the tenant, how many landlords were fined the full amount of three times the amount of the deposit.

    Mr Shailesh Vara

    The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.