The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support the armed forces is providing to Iraqi forces related to the conflict with Daesh in Falujah.
Penny Mordaunt
As part of Coalition forces, the RAF is conducting airstrikes against Daesh targets in support of ISF operations in Fallujah.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Deidre Brock on 2016-09-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to monitor the effect of the change from disability living allowance to personal independence payments on the standard of living of the recipients of those payments.
Penny Mordaunt
Both Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are designed to contribute towards the extra cost of having a disability. PIP is a modern benefit that maintains the key principles of DLA; it is a non-means-tested, non-taxable cash benefit available to people in and out of work. In addition, it takes proper account of mental health conditions and targets resources on those who need support. Most people will continue to receive support under PIP and, in fact, a greater proportion of claimants are receiving the highest rates of the benefit than in DLA – 23 per cent compared to 15 per cent on DLA.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department had with UK steelmakers before the decision was made to use French steel in the construction of Trident successor submarines.
Harriett Baldwin
The management of the steel procurement process for the Successor Programme is the responsibility of the Prime Contractor, BAE Systems. The Ministry of Defence’s involvement with suppliers was limited to conducting a technical assessment during the tendering process to ensure bids met specifications.
The tendering process was progressed and concluded by the Prime Contractor, no viable UK bid was received for this part of the Successor submarine manufacture. Other stages of construction will include grades of steel manufactured by British suppliers and I encourage them to take the opportunity to bid.
Overall, 85% of BAE System’s supply chain for the new submarines is based in the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Helic on 2015-11-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of institutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina to cope with a potential influx of refugees and migrants, in the light of the political and security situation in that country.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) earlier this month gave a positive assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)’s contingency planning, particularly in Bijeljina and Trebenje, which are two areas that could be at risk of overspill. The British Government remains concerned about BiH’s limited capacity to register an influx of arrivals, and to conduct security screening, including through the use of biometrics. We welcome the fact that BiH and the UNHCR have identified the establishment of reception centres close to likely border crossing points as a priority, and look forward to the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s provision of a comprehensive needs assessment to inform planning for external support.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will discuss with representatives of the insurance industry the effect on premiums of changing weather conditions.
Harriett Baldwin
The Government does not intend to intervene in these commercial decisions by insurers as this could damage competition in the market. The respective capabilities of insurers to assess risk is a key element on which they compete. This competition is important and should lead to better products and lower prices for consumers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Kurdistan counterpart on the current status of the parliament of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament has been in recess since 12 October 2015 following an escalation in tensions between Kurdish parties over the extension of the term of Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani. This situation has now de-escalated slightly and negotiations over the extension are ongoing. During my visit to Erbil in December, I made clear to all those I met the importance of the parties working together to resolve this issue peacefully, in the spirit of compromise and respecting democratic principles.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Pugh on 2016-02-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what safeguards are in place to ensure no shortfalls occur in future in the pensions of firefighters and police officers.
Mike Penning
On 1 April 2015, in line with wider public service pension reform, new career average pension arrangements were introduced for police officers and firefighters. These changes have put pension arrangements on a sustainable footing for the future, setting a fair balance of costs between public servants and other taxpayers, while continuing to provide good pensions for police officers and firefighters which reflect their roles.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-02-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department spent from the public purse on industrial tribunals in the last 12 months.
George Eustice
The Govt Legal Dept have represented Defra at Employment Tribunals since Oct 2011. The costs of any such litigation are covered by an annual block fee arrangement which covers all aspects of legal services provided to Defra.
The cost of Employment Tribunals can be found within the HMCTS annual accounts published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433948/hmcts-annual-report-accounts-2014-15.pdf.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects the Supported Accommodation review to be completed.
Justin Tomlinson
The Department for Work and Pensions jointly with the Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned an evidence review into the shape, scale and cost of the supported housing sector.
Off the back of this evidence, we will conduct a policy review to ensure support is focused on the most vulnerable and the appropriate groups are safeguarded.
This review report will be published later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-25.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the economic security implications of the proposed merger between the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Borse.
Harriett Baldwin
I refer the honourable Member to my previous written answer 34500 of 25 April 2016.