Category: Speeches

  • George Kerevan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    George Kerevan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Kerevan on 2015-09-17.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of allegations of unusual volumes of short selling of RBS shares in the period immediately before the August 2015 share offering by UKFI.

    Harriett Baldwin

    The Chancellor and UK Financial Investments (UKFI) take the allegations of unusual volumes of short selling of RBS shares very seriously. UKFI have analysed the volume of shares on loan in the period immediately before the August 2015 share offering.They have concluded that the increase in the volume of shares on loan ahead of the sale was not material, and did not impact on the final price achieved.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Barry Sheerman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a landlord licensing scheme.

    Brandon Lewis

    Local authorities have strong powers to introduce selective licensing schemes where they have acute, localised problems of high levels of crime, inward migration, anti-social behaviour or deprivation, or suffer from low housing demand or poor property conditions. These powers should only be used where there is a real need and it is proportionate to do so.

    We do not support blanket licensing schemes as they put unnecessary burdens and expense on good landlords which reduces choice, and increases costs, for tenants. A targeted approach helps to ensure that local authorities focus their enforcement activity on areas with the most severe problems, and are able to deliver their local plans in a way that is beneficial to both landlords and tenants.

  • Thangam Debbonaire – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Thangam Debbonaire – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Thangam Debbonaire on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if the Government will make it its policy to eliminate all indirect and direct fossil fuel subsidies within the present Parliament.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The UK does not have any fossil fuel subsidies. The Government sees clear benefits from climate, domestic energy security and budgetary stability perspectives, of phasing out such subsidies internationally. Therefore, where helpful, we will continue to aid the global effort to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The UK remains a strong supporter of the G20 commitment to rationalise and phase out, over the medium term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption. You may also be aware that my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced that the UK will support the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Communique – which is to be presented at the Climate Change negotiations in Paris later this year – calling for more action on this matter.

  • Harry Harpham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Harry Harpham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Harry Harpham on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that parties to the conflict in Yemen exercise maximum restraint and adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We are aware of reports of alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Yemen by all sides to the conflict and take these very seriously. We have raised our concerns with the Saudi Arabian authorities and have received repeated assurances of IHL compliance and we continue to engage with them on those assurances. We have also raised our concerns with the Houthis on the importance of compliance with international human rights law.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Barry Sheerman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children under five.

    Jane Ellison

    We are supporting the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of children with diabetes through a national best practice tariff, which sets out the standards of care and services that should be in place for children and young people in diabetes services. A round of peer review of all units providing care for children with diabetes was completed in September 2014. Through the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership we support the dedicated National Paediatric Diabetes Audit.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Barry Sheerman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make it his policy to increase the fines that local authorities can impose on landlords convicted of housing offences.

    Andrew Selous

    Magistrates can impose a fine of any amount for many housing offences. For all fines, the courts will continue to impose amounts based on seriousness and the financial circumstances of the offender.

  • Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if her Department will take steps to ensure that a target to end violence towards women forms part of the proposed UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    Justine Greening

    The UK has worked hard to lead efforts across the globe to ensure that a target to end violence against women and girls formed part of the agreed UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are pleased that a strong gender goal was included as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted at the United Nations General Assembly, which includes targets on violence against women and girls, harmful practices, female genital mutilation and child early and forced marriage. Seeing these Sustainable Development Goals and targets implemented is a continuing top priority for the UK.

  • Vicky Foxcroft – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Vicky Foxcroft – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vicky Foxcroft on 2015-09-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the effect of domestic violence on children.

    Karen Bradley

    The Government recognises the life changing impact domestic abuse can have on the lives of children. That is why we have expanded the Troubled Families Programme to reach up to an additional 400,000 families from 2015/16, including those affected by domestic abuse.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Gregory Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2015-09-16.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of UK residents aged 100 years and over between 2015 and 2025.

    Mr Rob Wilson

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

  • Jonathan Ashworth – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Jonathan Ashworth – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2015-09-16.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Enterprise Investment Scheme will be available to fund the construction of diesel power stations taking part in Capacity Market auctions after 2015.

    Mr David Gauke

    HM Revenue and ‎Customs (HMRC), which administers the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), does not keep a record of the number of diesel power generation companies receiving capacity market payments that have received investments under the EIS.

    HMRC does not disclose details of companies that have raised investments under the EIS.

    No estimate has been made of the number of diesel power stations taking part in the next Capacity Market Auction that may receive investments under the EIS. Whether a company qualifies for EIS depends on its individual circumstances.

    The Government keeps all tax schemes under review, to ensure that any reliefs continue to encourage investment in a well-targeted and effective manner.