The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-05-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to publish his review of employment tribunal fees.
Dominic Raab
We will announce the conclusions of our review of fees in the Employment Tribunals in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2016-06-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the relative priorities given to wheelchair users and passengers with pushchairs using dedicated access spaces on buses.
Andrew Jones
It would be inappropriate of me to comment on this particular issue while the Supreme Court considers the FirstGroup vs Paulley case. However, I am keen to hear of the experiences of disabled passengers, as well as passengers with pushchairs, to inform the development of future policy on this issue.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-09-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s compliance with its obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
As a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a member of the Joint Commission established under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), the UK continues to be in a close and continuous dialogue with the IAEA, Iran and our E3+3 partners concerning implementation of the JCPoA. The IAEA reports regularly on Iran’s implementation of its commitments under the JCPoA. The next meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors will take place from 19 September 2016.
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 investment in (a) road, (b) rail, (c) air, (d) ports and ferry services, (e) active and sustainable travel and (f) freight facilities.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government will provide full details of the Spending Review outcome on 25 November.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2015 to Question 12325, whether encouraging UK military exports to that country form part of the Defence Attaché’s duties in each case.
Mr Julian Brazier
Yes, Defence Attachés are to support and promote UK Defence Exports.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-01-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidelines are in place on the amount of time that should be taken to process reimbursement claims from UK citizens for health treatment in other European countries; and what data his Department holds on the average amount of time taken to process such claims.
Justin Tomlinson
The EU regulations do not provide set timescales for the processing of reimbursement claims. The DWP Overseas Healthcare Team work proactively with colleagues in the other EEA states to progress reimbursement claims on behalf of UK citizens. When all the appropriate information is received from the relevant EEA state, such claims are normally cleared for reimbursement within 10 days.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-02-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much funding the Government is providing to local authorities for each refugee for housing under the Syrian resettlement scheme (a) in London and (b) outside London.
Richard Harrington
The first 12 months of local authorities’ resettlement costs are centrally funded using the overseas aid budget. In years 2-5, local authorities receive a per person tariff tapering from £5,000 to £1,000 over the four years. This is unringfenced funding and it is for local authorities to decide how best to use it to support refugees.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Morris on 2016-03-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he has been notified of any funding applications from Lancaster City Council for the West End of Morecambe; and what information his Department holds on progress being made on (a) the Chatsworth Gardens project and (b) any other new housing projects in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency.
Brandon Lewis
The Chatsworth Gardens project, known as West End One, is a flagship private rent project involving refurbishing and remodelling 27 empty properties to create 51 (1, 2, 3, & 4-bed) homes. Work on site commenced in early 2015 and, to date, ten 4-bedroom houses have been completed. The project is supported by £8.3 million of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency and £1.9 million of empty homes funding.
The next release of new homes is expected later this month, with completion of all units by Autumn 2016. West End Two, the adjacent site is to follow on directly creating a further 50 homes for private rent.
The Department does not collect data on all housing developments across the country, but 13 developments, either completed since 2014 or are currently on site, across the Lancaster City Council area have received Social Housing Grant via the Homes and Communities Agency, totalling £8.0 million and are providing a total of 231 new affordable homes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Kennedy on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to tackle organised crime in Northern Ireland.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
The Fresh Start Agreement created a Joint Agency Task Force to identify strategic priorities and co-ordinate joint operations against those involved in cross-border organised crime.
Tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland is primarily a matter for the devolved Department of Justice, under the auspices of the Organised Crime Task Force.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-05-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the application of parity of esteem applies to those in jail in Northern Ireland but who have a residence elsewhere.
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.