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  • George Howarth – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    George Howarth – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations his Department has received from Ofcom on that body’s powers to mandate a gaining provider-led switching regime in the mobile sector.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Government is committed to working with Ofcom to support quick and easy switching in communications markets and we will do all we can to move towards a system of gaining provider-led (GPL) switching across the board. Ofcom is currently consulting on process reforms for switching mobile services, including proposals for a GPL model. Under its existing powers, it has already introduced GPL processes for customers switching broadband and fixed-line services. It is apparent from my officials’ ongoing discussions with Ofcom – and from its recent work and current proposals to improve switching processes – that Ofcom has powers to introduce a GPL switching regime for mobile services, should it determine following its consultation that such a reform would be proportionate.

  • Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to ensure that the amount of original radio and television content on the BBC does not decrease following the review of the BBC Charter.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Charter Review consultation document, published on 16 July, invited views on the BBC’s approach to content production and the quota systems in place. This issue will be considered as part of the Charter Review process.

  • Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ranil Jayawardena on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to ensure that effective regulation is in place to hold fibreoptic cable network companies to account for not providing mobile telephone operators with a resilient base station network and for not remedying network failure swiftly; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    In this case, under ‘security requirements’: sections 105A to D of the Communications Act 2003, the legislation that applies to telecoms providers requires them to take measures to protect the security and resilience of their networks and services. Ofcom has the power to intervene if it believes a provider is not taking the appropriate measures. This legislation applies to fibre optic network operators providing back haul to mobile operators.

    Generally, commercial agreements between providers will specify service levels to be adhered to, including times for remedying network disruptions. However, in its Business Connectivity Market Review (consultation 15 May 2015 – 31 July 2015), Ofcom stated that it considers BT’s quality of service in providing wholesale Ethernet leased line connections (including mobile backhaul) to be unacceptable, despite improvements that it acknowledges the company has made. Therefore the Regulator has proposed to impose obligations on BT to improve its provision of wholesale leased line services, with minimum standards of certainty of delivery date; provision lead-times; and repair times.

  • Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ranil Jayawardena on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of broadband providers in order to ensure that customers receive the service that they pay for and are properly compensated if they do not; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    There are a number of coverage and quality measures that apply to communications providers; for example, spectrum licence conditions on mobile coverage and targets for Openreach on repair and installation times for fixed line and broadband services. Ofcom is working with the main broadband providers and mobile operators to ensure that appropriate redress is available to consumers when necessary, including when coverage and quality is unsatisfactory. Consumers can also seek redress on an individual basis, under the term implied into service contracts by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, that the service will be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Effective from 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes clear the rights of redress for consumers who do not receive a service that conforms to their contract; depending on circumstances, suitable remedies can include a price reduction, compensation or a right of exit.

  • Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ranil Jayawardena on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of mobile telephone operators in order to ensure that customers receive the service that they pay for and are properly compensated if they do not; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    There are a number of coverage and quality measures that apply to communications providers; for example, spectrum licence conditions on mobile coverage and targets for Openreach on repair and installation times for fixed line and broadband services. Ofcom is working with the main broadband providers and mobile operators to ensure that appropriate redress is available to consumers when necessary, including when coverage and quality is unsatisfactory. Consumers can also seek redress on an individual basis, under the term implied into service contracts by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, that the service will be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Effective from 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes clear the rights of redress for consumers who do not receive a service that conforms to their contract; depending on circumstances, suitable remedies can include a price reduction, compensation or a right of exit.

  • Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that national galleries and museums remain free at the point of use.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    Free access to all national museums and galleries was a commitment made in the 2015 Conservative Party Manifesto and remains government policy.

    Management agreements between DCMS and all national museums and galleries highlight as a priority that “free entry to the permanent collections of the national museums will continue to be available and public access will be protected.”

  • George Kerevan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    George Kerevan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Kerevan on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many requests from local or coalition forces for RAF strike missions against targets in Iraq he has rejected because they were deemed to have been in breach of British rules of engagement or posed an unacceptable risk of civilian casualties.

    Michael Fallon

    None because all targets which are put to me for approval are rigorously assessed in advance for compliance with UK rules of engagement, UK law and international law.

  • George Kerevan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    George Kerevan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Kerevan on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the legal basis is for RAF aircraft entering and transiting Syrian airspace when flying from Akrotiri to bombing missions in Iraq.

    Michael Fallon

    RAF aircraft do not enter Syrian airspace when flying from Akrotiri to conduct strike missions in Iraq.

  • John Spellar – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    John Spellar – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Spellar on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department is making of the location to be chosen for the manufacture of the Army’s multi-terrain pattern uniforms.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a number of contracts to supply Multi-Terrain Pattern clothing for the UK Armed Forces. The MOD is required to comply with all legislation and relevant Government policy. Subject to these conditions the MOD does not restrict the geographical location of manufacture, however, it does expect contractors to carry out regular and appropriate inspections to provide assurance that sub-contractors’ facilities and ways of working meet the MOD’s contracted terms.

  • Harry Harpham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Harry Harpham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Harry Harpham on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to the hon. Member for East Ham to Question 9951, if she will make it her policy to include attainment at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 in the education indicator in her Department’s proposed Life Chances report.

    Mr Sam Gyimah

    Education is important which is why we are legislating to introduce new life chances measures of worklessness and educational attainment at the end of Key Stage 4, which is the culmination of formal education, for children in England. The department will continue to publish other educational data in relation to attainment at Key Stages 1 and 2.