Category: Speeches

  • Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-10-10.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the outcome of the recent meeting between the Children’s Commissioners for England and France concerning unaccompanied refugee children in Calais and elsewhere, in particular on identifying and processing such children.

    Baroness Williams of Trafford

    Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner, has met her French counterpart, Mme Avenard, Défenseure des enfants, adjointe du Défenseur des droits on a number of occasions to collaborate on work to encourage the French authorities to afford better protection to lone child asylum-seekers in France and particularly those who might have rights to transfer to the UK either under the Dublin III agreement or Lord Dubs’ Amendment 115 to the Immigration Bill.

    The Children’s Commissioners have discussed expediting the registering, processing, safeguarding and provision of support to lone child asylum seekers in France and particularly those in the camp in Calais. Discussions have resulted in Mme Avenard raising concerns with the French Government and also with Anne Longfield raising issues with the Governments in France and the UK.

    The Commissioners previously met in England on 28 September. Mme Avenard was interested in seeing the way in which unaccompanied asylum seeking children are registered and assessed in the UK and she accompanied Anne Longfield to the Kent Intake Unit, the dedicated children’s unit in Dover in which many children are assessed and processed. They also discussed the process under which children are transferred from Kent Intake Unit into local authority care.

  • Lord Laird – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Laird – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-10-29.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they owe the government of the United States for activities in the First World War; what are the repayment arrangements; and when the repayments will be completed.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    The United Kingdom owed around £850 million to the United States for activities in the First World War. However, in 1931 the United States proposed a temporary moratorium on all War debts, to allow for negotiations on debt repayment. Following negotiations, no satisfactory agreement was reached and as such, repayments were cancelled between the United Kingdom and United States. The last repayment from the United Kingdom to the United States for debt from the First World War was made in the financial year 1932-33.

  • Dawn Butler – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Dawn Butler – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dawn Butler on 2015-11-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the safety of British tourists in Tunisia.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We continue to advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia. We advise any British nationals who choose to travel to or remain in Tunisia to check that their insurance policy provides adequate cover, to be especially vigilant and to follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities.

    We have almost doubled our support for Tunisia this year. We are working closely with the Tunisian government to improve their protective security and build their capacity to deter and respond to terrorist threats. We are also working with professionals in the tourist industry in popular tourist areas such as Sousse and Hammamet to build their awareness of the threat and to put in place appropriate security measures.

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-01-11.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will remove the fuel duty escalator on liquefied petroleum gas.

    Damian Hinds

    The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) differential reduces by 1 penny per litre per year, which is a continuation of the approach set out by the two previous Administrations. This reflects the greater natural environmental damage caused by LPG compared with other road fuel gases as outlined in the 2003 Alternative Fuels Framework. However, like all taxes, fuel duties are kept under review with the Government announcing any changes at fiscal events.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Gregory Campbell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-01-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will discuss with the European Commission the need for co-operation throughout the EU on tackling the spread of bluetongue disease.

    George Eustice

    Discussions are continuing with EU Member States and the European Commission on tackling the spread of Bluetongue disease, including seeking expert opinion from the European Food Safety Agency on the most appropriate control strategy. Further information on the current control strategy for this disease can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bluetongue-gb-disease-control-strategy and https://www.dardni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dard/bluetongue-control-strategy.pdf

    “

  • Matthew Pennycook – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Matthew Pennycook – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-02-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether energy suppliers are obligated to report to the National Measurement and Regulation Office when a heat network is established or a lease is acquired.

    Joseph Johnson

    Under Regulation 3(2)(b) of The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 heat suppliers have a duty to notify the National Measurement and Regulation Office in relation to a district heat network or communal heating that commences operation after 31st December 2015, on or before the first date of operation.

    If a change of ownership occurs (or a lease is acquired) on a district heat network or communal heating that has already been notified there is no requirement to re-notify within four years of the date of the first notification submitted. If the network has not been previously notified, then the duty to notify applies.

  • Royston Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    Royston Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Royston Smith on 2016-03-23.

    To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, how much it costs to post a franked envelope from the House of Commons.

    Tom Brake

    The cost of postage for a bespoke DL sized pre-paid envelope, supplied to Members through the House provided stationery budget, is as follows:

    1st class – £0.64
    2nd class – £0.55

    The cost of postage on a pre-paid envelope is the same as a stamp. Franked mail, used by departments of the House, is cheaper than pre-paid envelopes as franking is paid for in bulk and in advance which generates a slight discount to the price; costs are:

    1st Class small envelope under 100g – £0.52
    2nd Class small envelope under 100g – £0.39

    1st Class large envelope under 100g – £0.81
    2nd Class large envelope under 100g – £0.65

    However, there are restrictions on where this can be sent from. 30 items or less can be sent from a standard post box but must be bundled and separated from standard mail; in excess of 30 items must be sent via a Post Office, Royal Mail Centre or Delivery Office or Business Post Box.

    The list below details the different postage costs for envelopes which are available to Members through the bespoke stationery catalogue.

    HC23-244S

    £0.55

    HC23-245

    £0.55

    HC23-146S

    £0.64

    HC23-246S

    £0.55

    HC23-147S

    £0.64

    HC23-247S

    £0.55

    HC23-149WS

    £0.64

    HC23-249WS

    £0.55

    HC23-150

    £5.50

    HC23-151

    £2.85

    HC228

    £0.55

    HC129

    £1.27

    HC229

    £1.20

    HC130

    £1.27

    HC230

    £1.20

    HC3-16

    £0.64

    HC85

    £0.55

    HC86A

    £0.55

    HC23-146EU

    £1.05

  • Viscount Waverley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Viscount Waverley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Viscount Waverley on 2016-04-21.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for International Development overspent their budget in the last financial year, and if so, for what reason.

    Baroness Verma

    In 2014-15, the most recent year for which audited accounts are available, the Department for International Development did not overspend its budget.

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-06-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many civil servants in her Department are paid through limited companies.

    Nick Gibb

    No civil servants at the Department for Education are employed through limited companies.

    We award contracts to individuals or organisations through their limited companies but the number of those could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

  • Karl McCartney – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    Karl McCartney – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl McCartney on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Leader of the House, what steps his Office has taken to prepare for the UK to leave the EU since 23 June 2016; and what further such steps his Office plans to take in the remainder of 2016.

    Mr David Lidington

    The Department for Exiting the European Union has responsibility for overseeing preparations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and conducting these withdrawal negotiations in support of the Prime Minister. In doing this it is working very closely with other government departments, including the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons, and a wide range of other interested parties.