The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz Kendall on 2015-11-25.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many people of each gender have worked in the Government Equalities Office in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Edward Timpson
The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-12-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Eurostar on stopping services at Stratford International station.
Claire Perry
I recognise the international importance of the HS1 network in allowing high-speed rail services from London to reach Europe, whilst noting that no international services currently serve Stratford International station. Eurostar, in which the government recently sold its 40% stake, accesses the HS1 network on an open access basis and is not subject to the terms of a franchise agreement or a contract let by government. Government has no power to direct or specify that Eurostar stops at Stratford International station. A decision made by Eurostar not to serve Stratford International would be as a result of commercial imperatives and priorities, for example, the potential revenue derived from customers using the station or the increased journey time which a further stop would involve. It would not be appropriate for government to interfere with that decision-making process. I have not received any recent representations on this matter from potential or actual train operators; who in any event, should address their questions to HS1 Ltd, as the infrastructure manager, in the first instance; nor have I held any discussions with Eurostar on the matter of services to Stratford.
Regarding any aspirations of Deutsche Bahn to commence operation of international services from St Pancras International, this is rightly a matter for HS1 Ltd as the infrastructure manager, who I understand have held discussions with a number of potential new entrants, including Deutsche Bahn. It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing commercial discussions between those parties.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions his Department has had with local businesses and LEPs on the economic effect of the area reviews for further education.
Nick Boles
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) have a central role to play in supporting area reviews and are contributing to the analysis of the current and future economic and educational needs of their area. They are also supporting the review process through their wider economic development role and use of their potential resource leverage including capital funding and other related funding streams like European Social Funding. Being impartial and economically driven, LEP involvement is allowing the business voice to feature largely in discussions and to ensure there is a full understanding of employer demand.
There is regular contact with the LEP network and with individual LEPs through the local steering group arrangements. In addition local employers are being actively engaged in each area review through the wide range of stakeholder engagement taking place.
LEPs and the British Chamber of Commerce are also represented on the National Area Review Advisory group which is influencing how the area reviews are taken forward.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-19.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for how long HM Revenue and Customs is required to keep records on individual tax credit cases.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) retains records of tax credit claims for the tax year of the claim plus five years.
The length of time HMRC is required to retain other tax credit records is depends on the type of record retained. Retention periods for individual documents can be found at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/tcmanual/tcm0322580.htm
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-03-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the risk of civilian drones being used to carry out terrorist attacks and of accidental collisions, whether they are considering (1) introducing a mandatory registration system for civilian drones, and (2) introducing mandatory geo-fencing technology to prevent drones from flying over high-risk areas.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
I refer my Noble Baroness to my answer of the 16 March, UIN HL6659.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martin Docherty-Hughes on 2016-04-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the Government’s policy is on the UK remaining a party to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Dominic Raab
The Charter is part of the EU Treaties and has the same status. It only applies when the UK is acting within the scope of EU law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Redwood on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the EU budget is for assistance to Turkey for strengthening its external border with Syria, Iran and Iraq in (a) 2016-17 and (b) 2017-18.
Mr David Lidington
The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance is used in Turkey to promote cooperation on a range of issues that matter to the UK, such as migration management and organised crime. The Department does not hold figures for the funds used for strengthening Turkey’s external border.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gloria De Piero on 2016-07-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the reduction in General Annual Grant for (a) secondary and (b) primary schools in Nottinghamshire is from academic year 2015-16 to academic year 2016-17.
Nick Gibb
Maintained schools and academies are paid by reference to different financial years, which are not contiguous with academic years for maintained schools. Consequently funding figures for the academic year 2016/17 are not published. The table below shows that funding increased for Nottinghamshire primary schools and academies by £7.03m, and for secondary schools and academies by £0.62m between financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17.
|
2015-16 FY (£) |
2016-17 FY (£) |
YoY Change (£) |
|
|
a) Secondary |
185,506,841 |
186,130,700 |
623,859 |
|
b) Primary |
240,790,943 |
247,822,567 |
7,031,624 |
Note: There is also a single ‘All Through’ provider that is not included in these figures.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2016 to Question 46376, how many projects managed by each Government Department the Infrastructure Projects Authority currently oversees; what the current status is of each project; and whether each such project is (a) ahead, on, or behind schedule and (b) under, on or over budget.
Ben Gummer
Under transparency policy, we release the data annually (6 months in arrears) through the IPA Annual Report. The most recent report can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/535243/ipa_annual_report_on_major_projects_2015_2016.pdf
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-10-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to UK Defence in Numbers, published by his Department in August 2015, in what capacity the seven Jet Provost training aircrafts referred to in that document may be used; and when those aircraft were last used for that purpose.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Defence in Numbers booklet is a snap shot of the UK’s Defence capability and how we are spending the fifth largest Defence budget in the world. As well as giving details on civilian and personnel numbers and current operations, it also includes a list of the Ministry of Defence’s equipment holdings, the vast majority of which are in service and deployable. We will continue to review the Defence in Numbers booklet to ensure that it best reflects the breadth of defence equipment.
The pieces of equipment listed in the Defence in Numbers booklet that are not capable for use on the front-line are: Jet provost aircraft, BAE-125 aircraft, Wessex helicopters, Challenger 1 battle tanks, FH70 Towed Howitzers and Chieftain Armoured Vehicles. These platforms are used in either a training or ceremonial capacity.
Currently 90 Tornado aircraft remain in the operational fleet and are, or could be, returned to combat ready status; this number includes aircraft undergoing periodic deep maintenance and modification which are not immediately available for operational use.