The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2015-11-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what effect the spending reductions agreed between his Department and HM Treasury will have on the (a) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, (b) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (c) Maritime and Coastguard Agency and (d) Vehicle Certification Agency.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government will provide full details of the Spending Review outcome on 25 November.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the in-service dates are for the Technology Development Centre at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston and the Epure facility at the CEA site at Valduc; and when UK experiments are scheduled to commence at Epure.
Michael Fallon
The Technology Development Centre and the Epure facility have been in service since 2014, in line with Teutates Treaty requirements. UK personnel are carrying out preparatory activities for UK trials at the Epure facility, including devising an experimental schedule.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Churchill on 2016-01-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with cancer who were awarded the daily living component of personal independence payment scored all of their points due to aid and appliances.
Justin Tomlinson
For cancer, the number of individuals awarded the Daily Living component of PIP who scored all of their points due to aids and appliances is 2,630.
This data relates to the period April 2013 to 30th September 2015, and includes Normal Rules awards only.
DWP are currently running a consultation to seek views on how support can best be provided to help meet the costs of disability which are faced by people who are currently awarded points due to aids and appliances. The department is keen to hear views from all interested parties, especially disabled people and disability organisations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-02-08.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will have discussions with the Office of Tax Simplification on reviewing and simplifying the tax regime for contractors.
Mr David Gauke
The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) is already considering a wide range of issues relating to the taxation of contractors as part of its small companies review. It will report on its findings ahead of Budget.
The topics of future OTS reviews will be announced in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Morris on 2016-03-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many planning applications for new homes or conversions of existing buildings have been made in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency since June 2015.
Brandon Lewis
The Department does not collect information on the number of planning applications by parliamentary constituency.
However it collects the numbers of decisions made at a local planning authority level. In the six months to 31 December 2015 Lancaster City Council, within which the hon, Member’s constituency falls, has made decisions on applications for:
– 18 major residential developments
– 27 minor residential developments
– Permitted development rights for one ‘office to residential’ scheme and nine ‘agricultural to residential’ schemes
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robin Walker on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Irish government on cross-border efforts to stop organised crime.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
In accordance with the Fresh Start Agreement, in December I attended a trilateral cross-border ministerial meeting with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government.
We agreed new measures to enhance law enforcement cooperation on organised crime and a Joint Agency Taskforce has been established.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-05-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem in the Belfast Agreement 1998 means that people living in Northern Ireland are subject to more parity of esteem than anywhere else in the UK; and if not, why not.
Lord Dunlop
This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as placing a general obligation on the UK Government to treat people of different traditions in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect. In the Agreement it is clearly expressed and defined in relation to people living in Northern Ireland.
As a general obligation there is no definition of particular circumstances in which it does or does not apply.
As I have set out in previous replies to the Noble Lord, this Government is firm in its commitment to the protection of people against any form of discrimination, and the promotion of opportunity for all, across the whole of our United Kingdom.
In respect of the Noble Lord’s question about those who might march wearing army uniforms but who are not members of an army, the concept of parity of esteem clearly does not absolve people from upholding the law. This Government has made clear many times that we will never accept any form of equivalence between members of the security forces and those who engage in terrorism or other forms of paramilitary activity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2016-06-24.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many pensioners pay income tax at the higher rate.
Mr David Gauke
For 2013-14 it is estimated that 558,000 individuals above State Pension Age were liable for Income Tax charged at or above the higher rate. This is based on the most recent Survey of Personal Incomes (2013-14)
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Holly Lynch on 2016-09-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of response officers (a) working as a single crew and (b) responding to 999 calls alone.
Brandon Lewis
Individual chief constables are best placed to assess the risks to their force and decisions about patrol policy must remain with them. Chief Constables, working with directly elected police and crime commissioners, have a duty to manage and support the police workforce effectively, ensuring the welfare of all officers and staff. Chief constables keep their patrol policies under regular review and decide how best to respond to their local circumstances.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2015-11-16.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) investigations and (b) enforcement actions into money laundering offences have been commenced by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Services Authority in each of the last five years.
Harriett Baldwin
This is an operational matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who are operationally independent from Government. The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.