Category: Speeches

  • Andrew Smith – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Andrew Smith – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on the introduction of further low emission zones outside London to reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution in ambient air.

    Dan Rogerson

    The Government has funded a number of local authorities outside London to investigate the feasibility of low emission zones (LEZs) within their areas, through the annual Air Quality Grant Scheme targeted at reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and accelerating compliance with EU limit values.

    This ongoing support is focused on addressing barriers and looking for practical options for putting in place NO2-related LEZs and similar measures.

  • John Denham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    John Denham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Denham on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many drivers who have provided the necessary medical evidence are waiting to have their driving licence restored following temporary suspension for medical reasons.

    Stephen Hammond

    The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not temporarily suspend driving licences. Drivers may have their licence revoked or choose to surrender their licence voluntarily if their medical condition affects their fitness to drive.

    Customers applying in these circumstances are not easily identifiable. An estimate based on information available suggests around 9,000 applicants who have produced the necessary medical evidence are awaiting assessment. Once a decision has been made to re-issue the licence this is done immediately.

  • Hywel Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Hywel Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hywel Williams on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will retract his request to government departments to end check-off payroll deductions for trades union subscriptions.

    Mr Francis Maude

    Departments are required to recover the cost of check off.

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East during Cabinet Office Orals on 25 June 2014 (Official Report) Column Ref: 302W.

  • Lyn Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Lyn Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lyn Brown on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish his assessment of the workability of the protocol agreed between his Department and the Fire Brigades Union on recall to duty in the event of a major incident or national disaster.

    Brandon Lewis

    The levels of crewing available for each authority, whether or not during periods of strike action, are dependent upon a number of factors. These include the duty system being worked locally, availability of on-call firefighters and, during strike periods, local contingency arrangements, which are the responsibility of each fire and rescue authority. The Department collects details of appliance availability from local fire and rescue authorities on a confidential basis. The arrangements for business continuity planning during strike action are kept under review by the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser.

    The principles of the recall to duty protocol, published as National Joint Council for Fire and Rescue Services Circular NJC/09/13, were agreed between the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, the Fire Brigades Union and the National Employers. Appendix 1 applies to fire and rescue authorities in England and makes clear that the Chief Fire Officers are responsible for arrangements locally, in accordance with their service’s major incident policies. I am confident that should there be a major disaster, striking firefighters would return to work.

  • David Amess – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    David Amess – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department gave to the Memorials Grant Scheme in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

    Mrs Helen Grant

    DCMS has given the amounts set out from the Memorial Grant Scheme in each of the last 10 years:

    Year

    Funding MGS (£)

    2013/14

    529,000

    2012/13

    269,000

    2011/12

    334,000

    2010/11

    229,000

    2009/10

    230,000

    2008/09

    391,000

    2007/08

    854,000

    2006/07

    714,000

    2005/06

    130,000

    2004/05

    N/A
  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on training and capacity building in the Egyptian army.

    Dr Andrew Murrison

    The Secretary of State for Defence has not had any discussions with his Egyptian counterpart on training and capacity building in the Egyptian army.

    As part of wider UK defence engagement Ministry of Defence officials regularly discuss the potential for further engagement with a number of countries and may from time to time provide training as required and in accordance with wider Government policy.

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he will discuss (a) solar energy and (b) other alternative energies with his Egyptian counterpart.

    Gregory Barker

    The UK Government engages with Egypt on a series of renewable technologies, including solar, through multilateral forms such at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). We also provide some technical assistance, through the World Bank, to help Egypt diversify their energy sources.

  • Tim Farron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tim Farron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will assess the viability of limiting the extraction of water from Windermere and Ullswater only when flow levels are high to reduce the risk of over-extraction and flood control.

    Dan Rogerson

    The Environment Agency limits United Utilities to abstracting water from Windermere and Ullswater to periods when there is adequate flow in the downstream rivers. Recent studies of Windermere and Ullswater have concluded that both abstraction licences are sustainable. Current abstraction levels would not have a material impact on flood risk as the total daily abstraction would only equate to approximately 1 percent of the flow during a flood.

  • Robert Flello – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Robert Flello – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart that Colombia should guarantee the safety of Nubia Acosta, Nevis Niño Rodríguez and the families of El Tamarindo.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    I met representatives from six human rights organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid as well as Colombian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during my visit to Bogotá last week. I also met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, heads of the Colombian Government’s major human rights agencies and representatives of the Attorney-General’s office. I set out HM Government concern about the reported rise in attacks against human rights defenders and a lack of sentences for those responsible.

  • Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-06-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans Jobcentre Plus has to work with the organisation Movement to Work.

    Esther McVey

    Jobcentre Plus has been giving practical support to the employer-led Movement to Work initiative and continues to do so. It offers advice to employers who have Movement to Work opportunities to fill. Coaches in Jobcentres are able to refer young people to these opportunities where appropriate.

    In addition the Department of Work and Pensions has been supporting the initiative centrally. Most recently Movement to Work organised an event in June to encourage more employers to join. As an employer the Civil Service is contributing 6000 work experience opportunities to the Movement and my Department is offering 3000 of them.