The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nadine Dorries on 2014-03-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when someone, held at a Border Force checkpoint, is officially considered a detainee.
James Brokenshire
For immigration purposes, a person is considered detained on service of an IS81 form, pending examination or further examination for a decision on a grant, refusal or cancellation of leave.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support for the payment of mortgage interest will be available for universal credit recipients in low paid work; and if he will make a statement.
Steve Webb
Under the current system, low paid workers are able to supplement their earnings by claiming support from tax credits. However, tax credits do not make any allowance for mortgage interest payments. Similarly, when Universal Credit replaces the tax credit system, there will be no entitlement to help with mortgage interest during any period in which the claimant is in paid work.
However the earnings rules are far more generous in Universal Credit. This means that most people, particularly those on low incomes, have a significantly greater incentive to move into work than under the current system.
The vast majority of people claiming UC will be better off in work: even if they work part-time and even if they receive a low hourly rate of pay. For example, a lone parent receiving the average amount of mortgage interest who takes up a job that pays the national minimum wage will be better off than under the current system if he or she works just 7hours a week.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame M. Morris on 2014-03-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the current level of (a) use and (b) availability is amongst offshore helicopter passengers in the oil and gas industry of emergency breathing systems that meet Category A of the Civil Aviation Authority’s relevant technical specifications.
Robert Goodwill
There are currently no Category ‘A’ emergency breathing systems (EBS) in use by, or available to, passengers on UK offshore helicopter flights. The EBS currently in use in the UK sector of the North Sea does not meet the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) higher Category ‘A’ specification contained in CAA Publication CAP 1034, primarily because it takes too long to deploy. The EBS used in the Norwegian sector also does not meet the Category ‘A’ requirement, primarily as it cannot be deployed underwater.
EBS that would likely meet Category ‘A’ is commercially available. In particular the passenger short term air supply system (P-STASS) developed for the UK military, which the CAA understands is currently being considered by the industry, has previously been used for civilian operations (e.g. the Marine Incident Response Group).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of ticks in deer; and what steps he is taking to tackle ticks in deer.
George Eustice
Defra has not made an assessment of the prevalence of ticks in deer but I am aware that they are widespread. The Deer Initiative, which is part funded by Defra, provides advice on ticks on its website.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hywel Williams on 2014-03-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what agreement his Department has reached with the Welsh Government regarding the funding of electrification of the Great Western Line to Swansea and the Valleys lines.
Stephen Hammond
The Welsh and UK Governments agreed in 2012 to fund the electrification of the Valley Lines and the South Wales Main Line between Cardiff and Swansea. That agreement still stands and Network Rail is developing plans for electrification.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Buckland on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his written statement of 7 April 2014, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on Higher Education: student support, what impact assessment his Department has made of the proposed changes to disabled students’ allowances.
Mr David Willetts
We are currently consulting with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform both the Equality Analysis and Disabled Students’ Allowances Guidance for 2015/16.
I will have due regard to an updated Equality Analysis before a final decision is made and regulations are laid before the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 2014-03-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the re-development of Euston station.
Baroness Kramer
The construction of the HS2 terminus at Euston station is a significant opportunity to maximise the economic potential of the high speed line and regenerate a site that has been neglected. Building on the current proposals in the hybrid Bill, the Government has asked HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to work with the rail industry and the local community to see if a more comprehensive proposal for the redevelopment of the station can be developed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is giving to the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict for the campaign to eradicate the recruitment of children by government armed forces by 2016.
Mark Simmonds
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides funding of £150,000 over three years (January 2013-December 2015) to the Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict. These funds strengthen the UN SRSG’s capacity to monitor violations committed against children in situations of concern, in line with UNSC Resolutions 1612, 1882, 1998 on children and armed conflict and including countries covered by the UN SRSG’s campaign, such as Burma and South Sudan.
Children and Armed Conflict is an important personal priority. I am leading a campaign to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers and to protect children from becoming victims of sexual violence in five priority countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad and Burma. I have raised the issue with a number of leaders, including most recently with the Somali President during a visit in April.
The UN SRSG will take part in the End Sexual Violence in Conflict Summit, from 10-13 June in London, where she will join a Ministerial roundtable that I am hosting on Children and Armed Conflict.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Andy Slaughter on 2014-03-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of state-funded schools that have opened since September 2011 have changed their headteacher since opening.
David Laws
The information requested is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cathy Jamieson on 2014-06-04.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Prudential Regulatory Authority will report on details of new bank authorisations.
Andrea Leadsom
The Prudential Regulation Authority will report on details of new bank authorisations as part of the Annual Report and Accounts.