The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Pritchard on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what joint work she and her French counterpart are undertaking on providing governance and capacity-building support for francophone Africa.
Nick Gibb
The Department for Education is not undertaking any work on providing governance and capacity-building support for Francophone Africa.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Worthington on 2015-12-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much stamp duty reserve tax has been repaid following the 2012 decision of the First-Tier Tribunal (Tax) in the case of HSBC Holdings PLC and the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation v HMRC (TC/2009/165484).
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
The First Tier Tribunal in the case of HSBC Holdings PLC and the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation v HMRC decided in March 2012 that the taxing of Stamp Duty Reserve Tax at 1.5% on a transfer of shares which is integral to a share capital raising exercise to a depositary receipt issuer or clearance service, infringed the Capital Duty Directive. Following that decision, HMRC has repaid a total of £168 million Stamp Duty Reserve Tax to various claimants.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Freyberg on 2016-01-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the costs per test in rare disease treatment using (1) whole genome, (2) whole exome, and (3) medical exome, sequencing; and if those figures are not available, why not.
Lord Prior of Brampton
This information is not held centrally by NHS England or the UK Genetic Testing Network. Where the cost of these tests falls outside of tariff, costs will vary according to commissioning arrangements, the systems in place and the technology used.
The cost of whole genome sequencing will continue to change in line with advances in technology. Costs will also need to be defined and include full bioinformatics analysis and clinical interpretation which is likely to be more costly than the sequencing itself.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to ban the use of whips for encouragement in horse racing.
George Eustice
The Government considers that the British Horseracing Authority’s rules on use of the whip during horseracing, which were drawn up in consultation with the RSPCA, together with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 provide protection for the welfare of racehorses.
There are, therefore, no proposals to ban the use of the whip during horseracing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-03-07.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the government of Burma plans to (1) protect resources in ethnic areas in Burma, and (2) press for a moratorium on large-scale extraction projects.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government of Burma’s term of office expires on 30 March. It will be for the incoming government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), to formally announce its policies when it takes office. Resource issues will be a major issue for any new government. The NLD made a manifesto pledge to distribute the proceeds of resource extraction fairly, to address the issue of environmental degradation associated with this industry and to raise labour safety standards. The UK already supports work on public financial management in Burma. We have also actively supported Burma’s candidacy for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. We stand ready to work with the incoming government on resource issues at its request.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-04-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with which suppliers his Department has contracted to provide steel for construction of the Successor submarine.
Mr Philip Dunne
BAE Systems (BAES) is the prime contractor for the majority of the Successor programme. As prime contractor, BAES will sub-contract suppliers of steel and related services.
Separately, Missile Tubes for the Common Missile Compartment are being produced jointly with the US and steel procurement will be carried out by US contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve the safety of and access for horse riders on roads and bridlepaths.
Andrew Jones
The Department takes every opportunity to remind motorists of their responsibilities towards vulnerable road users – including horse riders – through publications such as the Highway Code and THINK! Road Safety campaigns. THINK! officials are currently working with the British Horse Society following their recently launched ‘Dead Slow’ campaign. Plans for the summer include publicity on TV, radio, online and social media advising motorists on how to pass horses safely.
We do not provide advice on access to bridleways, as this falls within the remit of Natural England (a non-departmental public body).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2016-07-06.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of a reduction in corporation tax to (a) 15 (b) 14 and (c) 10 per cent on (i) GDP, (ii) unemployment and (iii) investment in (A) 2016, (B) 2017, (C) 2017, (D) 2018, (E) 2019 and (F) 2010.
Mr David Gauke
The corporation tax reductions since 2010 have been designed to increase the competitiveness of the UK business tax system and to support investment and jobs in the UK. Their positive effect has been evidenced by strong growth in GDP, employment, and business investment since 2010.
The Chancellor has now set out his ambition to reduce the corporation tax rate further, to 15 percent or below, to reinforce this strategy and send a clear message that the UK is open for business.
Updated government economic modelling set out in the Business Tax Road Map suggests that corporation tax cuts delivered since 2010 could increase long-run GDP by over 1 percent. Details of this model can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/analysis-of-the-dynamic-effects-of-corporation-tax-reductions
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-10-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about unpaid wages for migrant workers, and about the return of passports being made conditional on foregoing arrears of wages.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We are aware of reports of some third country migrant workers having employment issues, including not receiving payments. This is a matter for the parties involved in each situation to find a solution.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-18.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential benefit of a transaction levy on internet retailers; and if he will make a statement.
Jane Ellison
Online retailers pay a wide range of taxes, including corporation tax and accounting for VAT on their relevant sales. The Government is also taking action to tackle tax avoidance to ensure overseas sellers pay the right amount of VAT.