Category: Speeches

  • Anne Main – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Anne Main – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anne Main on 2016-04-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many infraction proceedings the EU has initiated against his Department in each of the last 10 years; what the reasons were for each such proceeding being undertaken; and what the outcome was of each such proceeding.

    James Wharton

    The information requested is publically available on the website of the European Commission where the infringement cases for each member state can be found. This includes the infringement and the decision. These records go back to 2002 and can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/infringement_decisions/?lang_code=en

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  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-06-06.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the credibility of investigations conducted in Nigeria into allegations of human rights violations committed by the Nigerian security forces.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    There are credible reports that human rights violations have been committed by Nigerian security forces during its operations against Boko Haram. We welcome President Buhari’s commitment to overhaul the Nigerian armed force’s rules of engagement, to investigate credible allegations of human rights violations and to take appropriate action. We understand that there are a number of investigations currently underway. It is important that these investigations are comprehensive and credible, and we are monitoring these closely.

    We regularly stress to the Nigerian authorities the importance of protecting civilians in conflict and detention, and that, whilst we support their fight against terrorism, this fight should be in full compliance with human rights standards and international law. Any member of the Nigerian security forces found to have been involved in human rights violations must be held accountable.

  • Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2016-07-20.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure consistency between the recommendations of the Cost Effectiveness Methodology for Immunisation Programmes and Procurements working group and those of the Department of Health’s Appraisal Alignment Working Group on similar issues.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    The report of the Cost Effectiveness Methodology for Immunisation Programmes and Procurement (CEMIPP) review was received in the Department on 20 July. The Department is considering this report and its potential implications.

  • Cheryl Gillan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Cheryl Gillan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-10-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to ensure that his Department’s officials being recruited to help write the story of High Speed 2 from inception to the present day meet with all hon. Members representing parliamentary constituencies along the route.

    Andrew Jones

    It is important that we do ensure good documentation of major projects across government to learn from the past and ensure knowledge is shared easily. I will consider in due course what is the right way to do this but the advertised recruitment is not going ahead.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Nicholas Soames – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library the most recent quarterly assessment of the Force Elements at Readiness.

    Penny Mordaunt

    I am withholding the most recent quarterly assessment of the UK’s Force Elements at readiness as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

  • Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-11-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which bases he plans to close as a result of the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.

    Mark Lancaster

    The Footprint Strategy examines the Defence Estate across the UK, with the aim of providing a smaller more sustainable estate in support of Military capabilities. Current work to define the Defence Footprint Strategy, will contribute to the Governments commitment to release public sector land for house building in this Parliament.

  • David Rutley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Rutley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Rutley on 2016-01-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to prevent abuse of the immigration system.

    James Brokenshire

    The Immigration Act 2014 and related changes have expedited the removal of over 2,000 foreign national offenders from this country and stopped illegal migrants having access to services such as bank accounts, driving licences and rented accommodation.

    The Immigration Bill will go further, enabling the seizure of earnings from illegal workers, further penalising rogue employers, and extending the deport first, appeal later principle to more cases.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Margaret Ferrier – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has programmes to facilitate access to the internet in Malawi.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    DFID’s Digital Strategy aims to ensure that digital processes pervade all of DFID’s work, from communications to policy making and programmes. We want to ensure the poorest and most marginalised people in developing countries benefit from the added value digital can bring, including by giving citizens access to information and services quickly and affordably.

    DFID does not currently directly support programmes to facilitate access to the internet in Malawi. DFID is currently developing programme plans for 2016-21 and is exploring how to support an increased uptake of Information and Communications Technology in Malawi. This will include consideration of whether and how DFID can support an increased uptake of internet-based services as well as an increase in awareness of the potential of internet and digital marketing tools for businesses.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the relationship between the bus service operators grant and the cost of bus fares.

    Andrew Jones

    We have been reviewing the Bus Service Operators Grant scheme in recent years with a view to improving its effectiveness in supporting bus services. In their assessment of the impact of any changes in policy associated with the Bus Service Operators’ Grant, departmental economists normally assume operators pass subsidy received on to passengers 50% through lower fares and 50% through increased service levels. Under these assumptions, they estimate that BSOG has the impact of keeping fares 3% lower than they would be in its absence in England outside of London.

  • Chris Heaton-Harris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Chris Heaton-Harris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Heaton-Harris on 2016-03-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that Community Work Placement providers are held to the standards required in their contract.

    Priti Patel

    Community Work Placement performance is being actively managed, underpinned by improvement plans and local performance improvement activity, with contracts terminated early where providers have failed to meet their targets.

    This action sends a clear message to providers that the Department expects them to deliver the performance they have promised in their bids.