Category: Speeches

  • Lord Pearson of Rannoch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Pearson of Rannoch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch on 2014-04-09.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed with the government of Botswana its decision to restrict water bore holes for the Bushmen, in view of that country’s court decisions in 2006 and 2011 and the terms of independence agreed by the United Kingdom in 1966.

    Lord Wallace of Saltaire

    The British Government have had regular discussions with the Government of Botswana regarding the situation of the San (Bushmen). In those discussions we have consistently encouraged the Government of Botswana to seek an inclusive, sustainable and negotiated solution. We welcomed the government’s announcement that it would abide by the 2011 ruling concerning boreholes.

  • Lord Mawhinney – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Lord Mawhinney – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mawhinney on 2014-04-09.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many so-called peace walls currently exist in Belfast; what is their total size (meaning their height multiplied by their breadth); and what were the equivalent figures in 2000 and 2010, or their best estimates of those figures.

    Lord Bates

    This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice. The Noble Lord may, however, wish to note the Community Relations Council publication at: http://www.community-relations.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Peace-Monitoring-Report-2014.pdf. This refers to the number of peace walls as part of its report.

    The Northern Ireland Office does not keep statistics on peace walls which became the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive following the devolution of policing and justice matters in 2010. The Noble Lord may wish to contact the Department of Justice to obtain the information he seeks.

    “

  • Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to Growth is Our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services published in July 2013, what progress his Department has made in the development of the growth voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement.

    Matthew Hancock

    Since its launch in January 2014, the Growth Vouchers programme has attracted over 2,500 applications from small businesses and more than £2.5m worth of vouchers have been distributed. Vouchers can only be spent on strategic advice in 5 key areas; raising finance and managing cash flow; recruiting and developing staff; improving leadership and management skills; marketing, attracting and keeping customers; and making the most of digital technology.

    We have been working closely with the Professional and Business Services sector and so far over 2,700 private sector business support providers offer their services through a new online marketplace (run by Enterprise Nation), of which over 1,000 are approved to deliver advice under the Growth Vouchers programme.

    Providers interested in offering their services should register at: marketplace.enterprisenation.com/marketplaces/users/new

    Businesses wishing to apply should visit: www.gov.uk/apply-growth-vouchers

    “

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of young people in (a) Brighton, Kemptown constituency and (b) East Sussex who have been unemployed for longer than 12 months in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Nick Hurd

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

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received from the charity sector about the effect of gambling addiction; and if he will make a statement.

    Mrs Helen Grant

    I meet with a number of stakeholders to discuss their concerns. These stakeholders include problem gambling charities, faith groups and the Gambling Commission. The Government also received a number of representations from the charity sector to its 2013 consultation on the Triennial Review of Gaming Machine Stake and Prize Limits.

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote the health of (a) domestic and (b) wild rabbits; and if he will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    No specific initiatives are currently underway to promote the health of domestic or wild rabbits.

  • Andy Slaughter – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Andy Slaughter – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the country of origin was of each special mission to the UK since 4 March 2013; and whether any person travelling on a special mission to the UK has been the subject of (a) an arrest warrant or (b) a criminal investigation conducted by SO15 since 4 March 2013.

    Mark Simmonds

    I refer to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-56WS. The Foreign Secretary announced a new process by which we would be informed of visits that may qualify for special mission status. The pilot process has improved the process for communicating and decision-making in respect of visits that may qualify for special mission status. Since the pilot’s inception, we have received six such requests. There are no requests outstanding.

    The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), confirmed to the House on 12 July 2013, Official Report, columns 427W and 429W, that two of the requests which were granted, related to visits by Lieutenant General Benny Gantz of the Israeli Defence Forces and Doron Almog, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff for Bedouin Status improvement. In view of the confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no plans to publish further details about requests that have been granted or refused. But if those applying for special mission status wish to announce the details of their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do so.
    All applications for special mission status are considered carefully in view of both obligations incumbent upon the UK under customary international law and our policy of ending impunity for the most serious of international crimes and a commitment to the protection of human rights. Above this, it is for the courts to decide on the legal consequences of any decision to grant special mission status.

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many UK construction companies are involved in development projects in the Falkland Islands.

    Mr Alan Duncan

    The Falkland Islands are not eligible for official development assistance and the UK Government does not fund any development projects on the Falklands.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sadiq Khan on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason each foreign national in prison awaiting deportation who is beyond the end of their sentence is yet to be deported.

    James Brokenshire

    The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  • Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Powell on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2014, Official Report, columns 307-8W, on children: day care, what the breakdown is for the £500 grants available to set up new nurseries, childminders for disabled children and after schools clubs; how many of the 4,417 applicants continue to have a childcare business; and what plans he has for the funding of the scheme.

    Mrs Helen Grant

    The Childcare Business Grants scheme was launched in April 2013 to help those wishing to start a new childcare business with start-up costs. To date, 4,501 applications have been received, of which 425 have been for £500 grants. Information is not available on the number of applicants that continue to have a childcare business.

    A breakdown of the £500 grants approved is in the table.

    Type of Grant application

    Number of applications

    Disabled childcare

    146

    Nursery

    191

    Out of School Club

    69

    *Other

    19

    Total applications:

    425

    Source: Liberata, management information

    *Other (Childcare on domestic premises) – this category represents childminders working from domestic premises with three or more employees.

    We recently announced that the scheme will be available for new applicants up to the end of 2014 or until the £2m fund is exhausted.