The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to grant right of abode in this country to former British-Hong Kong servicemen.
James Brokenshire
I have agreed to undertake a thorough assessment of the request that this group are offered right of abode in the United Kingdom, based on their employment in Hong Kong. This is under consideration.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Prime Minister will issue a response to (a) Early Day Motion 722, Right of abode for former British-Hong Kong servicemen and (b) petitions on this subject presented at 10 Downing Street on 5 November 2014.
James Brokenshire
I have agreed to undertake a thorough assessment of the request that this group are offered right of abode in the United Kingdom, based on their employment in Hong Kong. This is under consideration.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the screening of asylum seekers in Scotland.
David Mundell
UK and Scottish Government officials have regular discussions regarding immigration matters, including screening of asylum seekers in Scotland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will take steps to provide compensation for people in Scotland who have lost out financially as a result of the increase in the women’s pension age.
David Mundell
In-work and out of work working age benefits are available for those who have not yet reached State Pension age.
The women affected by the Pensions Act 2011 will reach State Pension age after the introduction of the new State Pension, which will be more generous for those historically worse off under the current system.
Further, a £1 billion concession was made, limiting the delay that anyone would experience to their State Pension age to 18 months, relative to the Pensions Act 1995 timetable. This mitigated the effect of the changes for those most affected by the Pensions Act 2011.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when Ministers in his Department last met Citizens Advice Scotland; what was discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement.
David Mundell
I last met Citizens Advice Scotland on 3 August 2015 in Edinburgh. We discussed a range of matters, including the implementation of the Smith Commission Agreement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which local authorities in Scotland on what dates he (a) has visited and (b) plans to visit.
David Mundell
a) I have visited the following local authorities in Scotland:
b) I plan to visit the following local authorities in Scotland in early 2016 (dates to be confirmed):
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department has spent on (a) taxis, (b) first class train tickets and (c) business class air travel in each year since 2010-11.
David Mundell
The Scotland Office spend on air, rail and taxi travel since 2010-11 is shown below:
|
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
|
|
Air |
£73,376 |
£141,601 |
£171,483 |
£131,538 |
£158,897 |
|
Rail |
£32,314 |
£30,492 |
£47,694 |
£57,487 |
£55,718 |
|
Taxi |
£14,946 |
£19,967 |
£20,967 |
£23,845 |
£27,165 |
The Scotland Office does not separately record information and expenditure on first or business class travel. It is Scotland Office policy not to use first or business class travel for officials. All ministerial travel is undertaken by the most efficient and cost effective way, in accordance with the Ministerial Code, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many recruitment and employment agencies his Department has used to source staff in each year since 2010-11.
David Mundell
The Scotland Office used two recruitment agencies to source staff since 2010-11.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect of the increase in state pension age on women resident in Scotland who were born in the 1950s; and when the last such discussion was.
David Mundell
I and my officials have regular engagement with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions on a range of important matters, including the State Pension. The hon Member will be aware of the parliamentary debate that took place on 1 February where my hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara) set out the Government’s position on this issue.
State Pension age changes are part of a wider package of reforms being implemented by this Government. All women affected by faster equalisation under the Pensions Act 2011 will reach State Pension age after the introduction of the new State Pension. The new State Pension will benefit many women who have been historically worse off under the current system, with 650,000 women receiving £8 more per week (on average) in the first 10 years, due to the new State Pension valuation of their National Insurance record.
Encouraging and enabling those who can work to work for longer is a Government priority. In work, out of work and disability benefits are available for those individuals who are unable to work. Those who have caring responsibilities may be eligible for National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on advertising, marketing and external communications in each year since 2010.
David Mundell
The Scotland Office spend on advertising, marketing and external communications since 2010-11 is shown below:
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| Spend | £7,357 | – | – | – | £41,155 |