Category: Speeches

  • Sue Hayman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Sue Hayman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sue Hayman on 2016-01-12.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the money received from the European Union Solidarity Fund has been returned to the EU in each of the last 10 years.

    Mr David Gauke

    Financial aid provided by the EUSF is reported on annually through the European Commission’s European Union Solidarity Fund Annual Report.

    Annual reports can be found by searching at the following link:

    http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/publications/]

    “

  • Douglas Chapman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Douglas Chapman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans for work to begin on rectifying electrical and propulsion faults on the Daring Class Type 45 Destroyer; which ships such rectification work will involve; and when his Department plans for such work to end for each such ship involved.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    A number of measures to improve the reliability of the Type 45 Power and Propulsion systems have been identified and the ongoing programme to implement these changes continues to deliver positive results, with the majority of work undertaken so far being at Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth.

    In addition, and as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, we are committed to improving system resilience by adding upgraded diesel generators to provide further electrical generation capacity. Alternative technical options and a variety of delivery models are currently being explored with several competing industrial partners. The total cost and timetable for implementing the diesel generator upgrade will be determined at the main investment decision. I am withholding details of our current time and cost estimates as premature disclosure of this information could prejudice the commercial interests of the Department.

  • Dan Jarvis – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Dan Jarvis – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2016-02-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what political engagement her Department had with the Afghan government on extractives governance in 2015.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    The British Embassy regularly engages with the National Unity Government on improving extractives governance to encourage responsible development of the extractives sector. The UK-funded Extractive Sector Support Programme provides technical advice to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum on legal and regulatory frameworks, contract management and fiscal regimes. The UK is also helping the Afghan Government to implement the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative. I raised this matter when I met President Ghani in June 2015.

  • Kirsten Oswald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Kirsten Oswald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which of the Directors in his Department has responsibility for the Armed Forces Covenant.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The department takes its ongoing responsibilities under the Armed Forces Covenant very seriously. Pete Searle, the Strategy Director for Working Age Benefits, is DWP’s Armed Forces Advocate responsible for ensuring that the needs of service personnel, their families and veterans are properly catered for by the Department. This means ensuring that these groups are not disadvantaged as a result of military service, and providing special treatment where appropriate.

    Every Jobcentre district has an “Armed Forces Champion” to provide a level of expertise for Jobcentres on Armed Forces matters. This is backed up by guidance covering the special rules that are in place, such as ex-service personnel having early access to the Work Programme, and information on any particular challenges they may face, such as the impact on employment prospects of frequent changes in locations.

  • Will Quince – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Will Quince – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Will Quince on 2016-04-25.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April 2016 to Question 34465, if HM Revenue and Customs will take steps to enable web-users to include honours when completing government online forms.

    Mr David Gauke

    HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does allow customers to enter their title but it does not allow customers to enter other honours. Major changes would be required to a wide range of internal HMRC IT services to capture and store this information. The cost of making such changes would be disproportionate.

  • Nigel Dodds – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Nigel Dodds – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-06-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much has been contributed by energy suppliers towards the rebate on electricity bills under the Warm Home Discount Scheme in each year since 2010.

    Andrea Leadsom

    From 2011 to 2015, energy suppliers spent a total of £868m on electricity bill rebates under the Core and Broader Group elements of the Warm Home Discount. The annual breakdown is set out below.

    Scheme year

    Total contribution on rebates

    Scheme year 1 ( 2011/2012)

    £112.3m

    Scheme Year 2 (2012/2013)

    £198.1m

    Scheme Year 3 (2013/2014)

    £248.66m

    Scheme Year 4 (2014/2015)

    £309.3m

    We expect that at least £286m has been spent by suppliers on direct rebates in 2015/16.

    From 2011 to 2015, households have also received other assistance through the Warm Home Discount to the value of £264m.

    Government announced in the Spending Review in November 2015 that the Warm Home Discount scheme would be extended to 2020/21 at current levels of £320m per year, rising with inflation, to help households who are at risk of fuel poverty with their energy bills.

    Further details can be found in Ofgem’s annual reports at:

    https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/warm-home-discount-annual-report-scheme-year-4.

    “

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-09-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what (a) meetings and (b) discussions he has had with Didier Seeuws, Head of the Brexit Taskforce at the European Council.

    Mr Robin Walker

    The Prime Minister has been clear we will not give a running commentary on Brexit negotiations. We will ensure that we engage closely with all relevant interlocutors.

  • Stephen Timms – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Stephen Timms – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-10-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what role Ofqual has in the setting of the requirements for special needs access to examinations specified by the Joint Council for Qualifications.

    Nick Gibb

    This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have therefore asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write directly to the Honourable Member. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  • Lord Roberts of Llandudno – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Roberts of Llandudno – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-11-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are being put in place, in co-operation with the government of France, to support asylum seekers in Calais this winter.

    Lord Bates

    The French Government is responsible for the care of migrants in Calais, including support over the winter. However, both governments are committed to finding a sustainable solution to the situation in Calais. One aspect of the UK-France Joint Declaration of 20 August committed the UK to providing £3.6 million (or €5 million) per year for two years to help support a range of work to manage the migrant population in Calais. Additionally, the UK has provided £530,000 to fund a project to identify those in the camps at risk of trafficking and exploitation, and to provide them with appropriate support within the French system.

    The UK and French Governments are unified in their response to these migratory pressures and both governments recognise the importance of close partnership and collaboration.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-12.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people were diagnosed with primary refractory acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia in each of the last five years.

    Mr Rob Wilson

    The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.