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  • Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on anti-democratic violence in Venezuela.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    I am deeply concerned about the reports of violence associated with protests in various cities in Venezuela since early February and call on all sides to refrain from violence. I receive regular reports on the situation from our Embassy in Caracas.

    The majority of the demonstrations, including large-scale gatherings organised by the government or by the opposition, have been peaceful, but some disturbances have been marred by violence. The number and frequency of the incidents have decreased over the last few weeks, but there are still violent incidents. To date, at least 41 people have died and more than 650 have been injured since the start of protests. About half the victims are anti-government protestors and the rest pro-government supporters, security forces or bystanders. Around 2,500 people have been detained and around 200 people remain in custody, including police officers and students. The authorities are investigating around 100 cases of reported human rights abuses.

    It is important that the Venezuelan government respects the right to protest peacefully, ensures public security and due process is afforded in investigations. I welcome the meetings held between the government and opposition which are an important step towards genuine dialogue. We continue to monitor the situation closely and keep travel advice for British nationals under constant review.

  • Cathy Jamieson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Cathy Jamieson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cathy Jamieson on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress the Government has made on implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Alistair Carmichael

    The UK and Scottish Governments continue to work closely together on the implementation of the Scotland Act 2012 which significantly increases the Scottish Parliament’s financial powers.

    The Government’s second annual report on the Act was laid in Parliament yesterday and provides a full update on implementation of the fiscal powers.

  • Charles Kennedy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Charles Kennedy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charles Kennedy on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the economic potential of the Scottish Highlands and Islands; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Alistair Carmichael

    The Scottish Highlands and Islands play an important role in the Scottish economy.

    The UK Government recognises this and has demonstrated strong support for rural areas through measures such the fuel duty rebate scheme, the abolition of the fuel duty escalator, and in the Budget 2014 supporting Scotch Whisky by freezing duty on spirits.

  • Jim McGovern – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Jim McGovern – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McGovern on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on consular support for Scottish citizens overseas in the event of Scottish independence.

    Mr Alistair Carmichael

    There have been no discussions with Scottish Ministers on consular support for Scottish citizens in the event of independence.

    As part of the UK, Scots travelling abroad have guaranteed access to consular support by one of the world’s largest, most experienced global networks.

  • Nicholas Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Nicholas Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Brown on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of Scottish independence for the regions on either side of the English-Scottish border.

    Mr Alistair Carmichael

    I refer the Rt Hon Gentleman to the answer I gave to the Member for Penrith and The Border earlier today.

  • Mike Crockart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Mike Crockart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Crockart on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, to ask the Secretary of State what assessment he has made of recent trends in employment figures in Scotland.

    David Mundell

    Latest official figures show that employment levels are at a record high with 2.6 million people over 16 now employed in Scotland. Over the last year 68,000 more people entered work, including an increase of 46,000 in the female employment level.

    These figures show that the Government’s long term economic plan is working, and how Scotland benefits as part of the UK.

  • Edward Leigh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    Edward Leigh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Edward Leigh on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Attorney General, whether he has given advice to the Government on whether the removal of President Yanukovich was in accord with the provisions of Article III of the Constitution of Ukraine.

    Oliver Heald

    By long-standing convention, observed by successive administrations and embodied in the Ministerial Code, the fact that the Law Officers may or may not have advised or have been requested to advise on a particular issue, and the content of any advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

  • Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what criteria were used for targeting the Skills Funding Agency’s reduction in funding for adult qualifications; and what account the decisions to reduce that funding took of each such course’s effect on (a) skills development and (b) employability of participants.

    Matthew Hancock

    The Skills Funding Agency’s review of vocational qualifications is not about a reduction in funding. Within agreed budgets, the review has sought to ensure funding is redirected in support of qualifications which are high quality, demanded by learners and valued by employers. The Agency has removed these low quality qualifications from the scope of public funding to ensure we only fund those vocational qualifications which are recognised by employers and enable someone to be employable in a particular occupation or sector. The goal is to promote both the skills development and employability of participants.

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure there is a Liverpool City Region representative on the HS2 Growth Taskforce chaired by Lord Deighton.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The HS2 Growth Taskforce launched its final report in March 2014, delivering 19 recommendations to government to help get our cities, transport network, people and businesses ready to maximise the growth potential from HS2.

    While the taskforce membership was drawn from across the country and represented many different fields of expertise, it was not possible to include representatives from every area that will benefit from HS2.

    Recognising the importance of engaging closely with Liverpool in producing their recommendations, the taskforce went to the city in January 2014 to hear the views of local partners and businesses from across the city region.

  • Ian Murray – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Ian Murray – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when the stabilisation period in respect of the privatisation of Royal Mail, as detailed in the engagement letter between his Department and the underwriting banks, ends; and how that period has been defined.

    Michael Fallon

    The stabilisation period, also known as a "greenshoe" or "over-allotment" option, is a market-standard provision that allows the Initial Public Offering’s (IPO) stabilisation manager to provide share price stabilisation (if required) for up to 30 days post-commencement of conditional dealings. In the case of the Royal Mail, the stabilisation manager was UBS and the stabilisation period ended on 8 November.

    In the engagement letter, the payment of the discretionary fee was linked to the ending of the stabilisation period. However, we informed the banks involved that a decision would not be taken in the timeframe set out in the engagement letter given the volatility of the Royal Mail share price after the IPO.

    We have not set a rigid timetable for the decision on the payment of the discretionary fee which remains unpaid.