Category: Speeches

  • Cheryl Gillan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Cheryl Gillan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2014-06-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the costs to date has been of the preparation work for the connection of High Speed 2 to High Speed 1.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    In response to the HS2 Plus report by Sir David Higgins, the Secretary of State has decided to remove the HS1-HS2 link from the Phase One Hybrid Bill. The proposed link required too many compromises in terms of impacts on freight, passengers and the community in Camden.

    We believe there is a good strategic case for links to the continent but we need to select the right long term answer. The Secretary of State has therefore asked HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to consider how to improve connections from HS2 and the existing rail network to the Continent. We are currently developing the scope of the proposed study, which will explore options that will stand the test of time. As a result, at this stage no significant costs have been incurred in relation to the study.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.

    Dan Rogerson

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt. Hon. friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Mr Francis Maude, on 26 March 2014, Official Report, Column 300W.

  • Susan Elan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Susan Elan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2014-06-05.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that Natwest and other subsidiaries of RBS remain as competitive as possible in the banking sector.

    Andrea Leadsom

    On 1 November 2013, RBS committed to a new direction, focussing on its core British business, supporting British families and companies. RBS’s new direction is supported wholeheartedly by the Bank of England, UKFI and the Government.

    RBS and its subsidiaries retain their own independent boards and management teams for strategic and operational decision-making.

    The Government’s shareholding in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is managed on a commercial and arm’s length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI).

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been arrested for breach of a forced marriage protection order in each year since such orders came into force.

    Norman Baker

    The information requested is not collected centrally by the Home Office.

    Powers of arrest for breach of a forced marriage protection order are currently
    issued by the civil courts. Arrests for civil offences are not covered by the
    Home Office arrest collection.

    Breach of a forced marriage protection order will become an offence when
    section 120 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 comes
    into force in summer 2014.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Bridget Phillipson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2014-06-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of 2014DIN04-056 Sea King Helicopter drawdown and disposal.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    A copy of Defence Instruction Notice 2014DIN04-056 regarding Sea King Helicopter drawdown and disposal will be placed in the Library of the House.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to review the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.

    Stephen Hammond

    The Secretary of State has an approval role under the Ticketing & Settlement Agreement for changes to the National Rail Conditions of Carriage. The Association of Train Operating Companies is responsible for the management of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage and it is for them to propose changes to the Secretary of State for approval.

  • Lord Jones of Cheltenham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Jones of Cheltenham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham on 2014-06-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current policy on granting visas for musical ensembles from Russia; why there was a delay in issuing visas recently for the Lyra Ensemble from St Petersburg which led to the cancellation of concerts on their proposed United Kingdom tour; and what steps they will take to avoid such situations in the future.

    Lord Taylor of Holbeach

    Due to its obligations under the Data Protection Act, UK Visas and Immigration is unable to comment openly on individual cases. There is insufficient detail in the question to enable us to identify these visa applications but if Lord Jones of Cheltenham wishes to provide specific details of the visa applicants, UK Visas and Immigration will provide him with an in confidence letter regarding this incident.

    There has been no change in visa policy for those coming from Russia to give musical performances in the UK. Applicants must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. We advise Russian visa applicants to apply for their visas as early as possible in advance of their
    date of travel. In Russia, applicants can apply up to six months in advance of travel and a ‘submission without passport’ service is available for those who want to hold on to their passport whilst their application is processed.

  • 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 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the work of his Department’s youth hubs.

    Esther McVey

    Youth hubs have been set up in some locations under our Freedoms and Flexibilities policy where local managers judge they would be an effective way of supporting young people. There has been positive feedback on them but evaluation is a matter for local Managers.

  • Lord Alderdice – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Alderdice – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alderdice on 2014-06-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether personality disorder services remain a priority commitment for the National Health Service; and if so, what guidance is provided to NHS England to ensure that quality services continue to be commissioned.

    Earl Howe

    Personality disorder services remain a priority commitment for the National Health Service. In 2011 the Government published No health, without mental health, a cross Government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages which remains the Government’s vision for improving services for people with mental health problems; this specifically includes people with personality disorders. The Mandate to NHS England makes clear that by March 2015, we expect NHS England to make measurable progress towards achieving true parity of esteem between mental and physical health and that everyone who needs it should have timely access to evidence-based services.

  • Damian Hinds – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Damian Hinds – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Damian Hinds on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on economic development in Northern Ireland.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    I regularly hold discussions with Executive ministers on a range of economic issues.

    Last week, I chaired a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Task Force on Banking and Access to Finance which was established to help Northern Ireland businesses access finance.