The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff in his Department receive (a) home to work travel allowance, (b) a car allowance and (c) subsidised health insurance.
Alun Cairns
No staff in the Wales Office receive these allowances.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-03-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect the UK to face a power deficit in winter 2016–17, and if so, what action they are taking to prevent electricity shortages.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The UK will not face a power deficit in winter 2016/17. National Grid has the right tools they need to manage the system and will ensure that they continue to do so.
National Grid has already procured 3.6GW of reserve capacity for next winter and, in January, the Capacity Market Transitional Arrangements auction bought 800MW of demand side response capacity for winter 16/17 which will also help secure the system. In addition, National Grid has the option to procure further demand side balancing reserve for 2016/17.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-04-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of (a) members of the Senior Civil Service and (b) all officials of his Department will be based at head office on conclusion of BIS2020.
Joseph Johnson
The plans for BIS2020 are still being developed. We do not currently have information on which posts will be at head office in 2020.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Dowd on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department’s consultation on fee proposals for grants of probate, what safeguards his Department plans to provide to enable applications to be filed for grants of probate in respect of estates which do not have sufficient liquid funds to enable payment of the fee before a grant has been issued.
Dominic Raab
The information requested can be found in the consultation document, published at: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/fee-proposals-for-grants-of-probate/consult_view
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2016-07-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the next Triennial Review of gaming machine stakes and prizes will address all such stakes and prizes.
Tracey Crouch
As previously stated in the House of Commons, Government is reviewing the situation and I hope to announce details of a review in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steven Paterson on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to require that EU staff employed at Northwood relocate to another country after the UK leaves the EU.
Mike Penning
The European Union (EU) Staff employed at Northwood within the EU Operational Headquarters (OHQ) and the NATO Maritime Commander (MARCOM)’s Headquarters provide vital support to Operation ATALANTA (a Counter-Piracy mission off the Horn of Africa) and broader NATO Maritime Operations.
The requirement for the OHQ, its location, and its EU Staff depend on a continuing mandate (expected to be extended until December 2018) and decisions of the EU; and the UK supports continued NATO – EU cooperation including that through MARCOM.
There are are no current plans to relocate the OHQ or EU staff from Northwood.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2015-11-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria were attached to the granting of a grant to the Wave Trust to fund the Pioneer Communities Project.
Greg Hands
The Government announced at Autumn Statement 2014 funding for the Department for Education for an “Early intervention pilot for 0-2 year olds – to pilot a new approach to ensure that the most effective early intervention actions are taken during a child’s earliest years, to prevent avoidable problems later.”
This measure was to be delivered by the Department for Education, who worked with a number of stakeholders including Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Wave Trust and the Early Intervention Foundation to identify options to deliver the project.
As no contract has been signed for this measure, in June 2015 the Department for Education undertook not to proceed with the measure in this financial year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the Government’s response to the consultation on tackling exploitation in the labour market before the Immigration Bill completes its passage through Parliament.
James Brokenshire
The consultation on tackling exploitation in the labour market closed on Monday 7 December. The Government will publish its response shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Greaves on 2016-01-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will amend guidance to planning authorities in order to strengthen their advice on (1) measures for the prevention and alleviation of flooding when determining planning applications, including off-site improvement works funded by section 106 obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy; (2) effective sustainable drainage systems; and (3) restrictions on building on flood plains and other sites with a high liability to flooding.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
We already have clear, robust planning policy and guidance on flood risk in place. There are strict tests in the National Planning Policy Framework to protect people and property from flooding which all local planning authorities are expected to follow, underpinned by our on-line planning practice guidance.
The Framework is clear that through their Local Plans and planning decisions, local planning authorities should avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding by directing development away from areas at highest risk, including floodplains. They should develop policies to manage flood risk from all sources and look to safeguard land from development that is required for flood management. They should also use opportunities offered by new development to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding. The Framework makes clear that new development should not increase flood risk elsewhere. In areas at risk of flooding, the Framework states the development should only be considered appropriate where it gives priority to the use of sustainable drainage systems.
Planning law requires that planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The Framework is a material consideration in planning decisions.
Updated planning guidance is designed to support local planning authorities in the effective implementation of these policies. This includes guidance on sustainable drainage systems which was strengthened last year and the use of mitigation measures to make development safe. Where appropriate, local planning authorities can secure off-site works through planning obligations or the Community Infrastructure Levy. We have made very clear in the guidance that where the Framework’s tests to protect people and property from flooding are not met new development should not be allowed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-02-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what infrastructure preparations have been made for the integration of female soldiers into close combat units in the Army; and what is their estimate of the cost of any such preparations to date.
Earl Howe
Women are currently excluded from serving in ground close combat roles in the Infantry and Royal Armoured Corps, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force Regiment. The Prime Minister stated on 20 December 2015 that he would like to see all roles in the Armed Forces opened up to women in 2016. Further physiological research currently under way will inform a final decision in mid-2016.
The review "Women in Ground Close Combat" has identified the principle of full integration as a vital element in generating cohesion in combat troops. The subsequent infrastructure work required is being considered as part of ongoing implementation planning, in the event that the exclusion is lifted. Early estimates from the 2014 research paper suggest that a fully integrated solution at the Army’s Infantry Training Centre at Catterick could cost up to £1.6 million. Once a final decision is taken, the Department will be able to identify and cost a fully integrated long-term solution as required.