The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much of the Local Growth Fund has been earmarked for (a) housing loan finance and (b) flexible grant funding.
James Wharton
The £12 billion Local Growth Fund includes £2 billion for housing loan finance and up to £7.1 billion of flexible grant funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2016 to Question 30395, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) consumers are aware of the broadband speeds available to them and (b) internet service providers are transparent with consumers about the best speeds available.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Ofcom’s Broadband speeds Code of Practice requires that Internet Service Providers provide consumers with clear, accurate information on broadband speeds, including the maximum speeds they can achieve, the estimated speed on their line, and factors that may slow down the speed, such as any fair use or traffic management policies.
In addition, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) provides rules on how headline broadband speed claims are presented to consumers, including requiring the use of the qualification ‘up to’ when presenting the headline broadband speed, and that the maximum stated speed must be achieved by at least 10% of the relevant customer base.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Scott Mann on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to increase tourism in Cornwall from (a) domestic and (b) foreign visitors.
David Evennett
Our tourism industry supports millions of jobs and is one of the nation’s leading employers and export earners. In 2014, the sector contributed nearly £60bn to the UK economy, and at the latest spending round the Chancellor announced a new £40m Discover England to encourage international visitors to explore beyond London. In the South West, the number of domestic visitors has increased by 14% in the 12 months to December 2015, compared with the previous year; and we have been working to promote international tourism through the £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund. Full-year data for international visitors in 2015 will be released in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachael Maskell on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that regional museums and galleries are adequately funded.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Councils have almost £200 billion to spend on local services, over the lifetime of this parliament. It is for each local authority who know their area best to decide how to allocate its budget to provide museum services to its communities.
In addition, through the Arts Council England, DCMS has increased funding for 21 Major Partner Museums Networks (130 Museums in total) from £20.3m to £22.6 million over 2015-2018. Regional museums can bid for funds from ACE’s £10 million per year Resilience Fund, and for lottery funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are also investing millions of pounds to boost local and regional museums, for example, £5 million towards a new South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum and £2.5 million to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
As announced in our Culture White Paper, we will conduct a wide-ranging review into the museums sector that will examine local and regional museums, as well as Government-sponsored museums and the museums infrastructure nationally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the progress made by bookmakers in reducing gambling-related harm.
David Evennett
This Government has been clear with the whole gambling industry that they are expected to demonstrate they are continuously improving player protection initiatives and evaluating the effects of previous initiatives. The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) revised its social responsibility Code of Conduct in 2015. On 6 April the industry also launched the multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, which allows customers to self-exclude from all bookmakers at once.
In January, we published the Evaluation of Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, which can can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-gaming-machine-circumstances-of-useamendment-regulations-2015. We are considering the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has held with football associations and police forces on ensuring security and protection for fans travelling abroad for the European Championships.
David Evennett
My Department has regular discussions with both the Home Office and the FCO on a range of matters in relation to the 2016 UEFA European Football Championships taking place in France this summer. Departments are in contact with the relevant football associations, and fans attending the tournament will be encouraged to follow the Government’s official travel advice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what links his Department has with the Responsible Gambling Trust.
David Evennett
The Responsible Gambling Trust is an independent charity that raises funds from industry to spend on research, education and treatment for problem gambling. In developing its programme of activities, it takes into account priorities set by the Gambling Commission’s advisory body, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board. The Department considers the findings of the Responsible Gambling Trust’s research alongside other evidence on gambling related harm. Officials from the Department and from the Gambling Commission have attended meetings of the Responsible Gambling Trust’s research committee, and Trustees board meetings, as observers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what aircraft it is anticipated will conduct the majority carrier on-board delivery role for the Queen Elizabeth Class ships.
Mr Philip Dunne
The composition and size of the embarked air group in a deploying Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier will be tailored to meet the required task, including aviation sustainment and logistic support. The Department will continue to explore all potential solutions as the QEC builds in operational capability, with initial planning based around Merlin and Chinook helicopters.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when a Wire Strike Protection system will be fitted to the Puma helicopter; and when (a) Initial Gate and (b) Final Gate approval was granted for that project.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Helicopter Safety Enhancements Programme has been coordinating provision of Wire Strike Protection Systems (WSPS) across the UK military helicopter fleet. Initial Gate approval was granted in August 2012 and Final Gate approval was granted in March 2013. The Puma Mk2 WSPS entered service in June 2015; fleet embodiment of WSPS continues and is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to test the suitability of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey for operation aboard the Queen Elizabeth Class ships.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Royal Navy has previous experience operating the V-22 Osprey from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS OCEAN. It is therefore possible that the Department will engage in due course with our close Ally the United States to explore mutual opportunities to clear US Navy and US Marine Corps V-22 aircraft on Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.