Category: Speeches

  • Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department holds on the number of British military personnel embedded with foreign armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

    Michael Fallon

    Given the routine nature of embedding, this information has not been coordinated centrally. The Ministry of Defence is in the process of compiling data on UK personnel embedded with other nations’ armed forces and deployed on operations, as well as those who work on operations in deployed coalition or single nation headquarters roles. I intend to update the House after this process is complete.

  • Richard Arkless – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Richard Arkless – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-12-16.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reduce the rate of VAT on tourism.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Government currently has no plans to alter the rates of VAT relating to the tourist industry.

    I refer the Rt Hon gentleman to my comments during the Westminster Hall debate on 17th March 2015.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to work with charities and campaigners on raising awareness and improving prevention of prostate cancer.

    Jane Ellison

    Public Health England (PHE) ran a local pilot campaign in October – November 2014, specifically targeting prostate cancer within Black African-Caribbean men, because of their significantly increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The campaign was delivered in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK and was designed to support their awareness raising activity.

    The campaign ran in six London boroughs – Hackney, Haringey, Newham, Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham – and was delivered mainly through face to face activity, supported by posters in key outdoor locations and in salons and a programme of targeted public relations.

    PHE will also shortly be re-running the national campaign on “Blood in Pee. Although primarily aimed at bladder and kidney cancer, blood in the urine can also be a sign of prostate cancer.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will direct Highways England to give evidence to the public hearing on 18 March 2016 organised by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner into closures and delays on the M6 on 4 and 5 February 2016.

    Andrew Jones

    Highways England is aware of the public hearing and has agreed to attend and give evidence.

  • Jonathan Edwards – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jonathan Edwards – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2016-03-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from local authorities in England on prohibiting smoking on beaches; and if he will make a statement.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department has received no representations from local authorities on prohibiting smoking on beaches. The Government has no current plans to extend smokefree legislation to open public areas.

  • Jenny Chapman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jenny Chapman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jenny Chapman on 2016-04-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress has been made on the provision of universal infant free school meals.

    Mr Sam Gyimah

    Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) have been a great success, with over 1.3m additional infants enjoying a nutritious, free meal at lunchtime and parents saving hundreds of pounds a year.

  • Andy McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Andy McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-05-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Govia Thameslink Railway on extending Driver Only Operation; and what the outcome of those discussions was.

    Claire Perry

    Officials regularly meet with Govia Thameslink Railway. The proposals relating to train doors being operated by drivers have been part of those discussions. Any subsequent change to employee terms and conditions and the management of any such change(s) are a matter for the relevant employer and their employee(s) and/or employee representatives.

  • Jim Fitzpatrick – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Jim Fitzpatrick – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Fitzpatrick on 2016-07-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hand-held radar speed detectors are in use by police constabularies in England; and whether her Department has made an assessment of the merits of recruiting and training civilian volunteers to use such detectors.

    Brandon Lewis

    The Home Office does not hold this information centrally. The purchase and deployment of speed enforcement devices is a local operational matter for individual police forces. There has been no assessment made on the merits of recruiting and training civilian volunteers in the use of these devices. Decisions on how the public can assist the police in speed enforcement activity are matters for individual Chief Officers.

  • Helen Goodman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Helen Goodman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-10-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax credit claimants whose claim was wrongfully stopped then reinstated have not had the full value of money returned; and what the total amount outstanding still owed is in such cases.

    Jane Ellison

    Where a tax credit award has been re-instated following a gap in payment, the claimant may receive the payment as a lump sum. This depends on the exact circumstances of the case, taking into account the revised entitlement compared to the monies already received. All future payments will also be adjusted to account for the revisions to the award. Provisions are in place to make arrears payments to customers suffering financial hardship.

  • Karin Smyth – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Karin Smyth – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karin Smyth on 2015-10-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people affected by the under-occupancy penalty in the Bristol City Council area.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The available information on the number of people affected by the removal of the spare room subsidy in the Bristol City Council area is published and can be found at:

    https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

    “