The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Teather on 2014-06-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are currently being held in prisons solely under immigration powers.
James Brokenshire
As at 3 June 2014 there were 790 detainees held in prison establishments solely under immigration powers, of whom 174 were held in HMP The Verne.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2014-03-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, during the shortlisting of the bid from Keolis and Eurostar to operate the East Coast Main Line franchise, they made representations to the government of France in respect of allowing United Kingdom companies to bid for passenger franchises on the French rail network.
Baroness Kramer
The UK Government continues to support the opening of rail markets across the European Union.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-05.
To ask the Prime Minister, when he expects the report of the Chilcot Inquiry into the war in Iraq to be published; what discussions Sir John Chilcot has had with those expected to be criticised in his report; if he will ensure that hon. Members are provided with a full paper copy of the report and all (a) oral and (b) written evidence that was presented to the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Cameron
The Iraq Inquiry is independent of government, and should be allowed to complete its work without interference.
Neither I nor Ministers have had any discussions with or made any representations to the Inquiry. Nor have I discussed the Inquiry with President Obama.
The Inquiry has sought the declassification of material for inclusion in its report from many thousands of documents, some of which have been or will be published. Government does not, as a rule, comment on any discussions between officials and the Inquiry.
The Maxwellisation process is a matter for the Inquiry.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that the Inquiry’s final report will be able to disclose all but the most sensitive information which will be determined in accordance with the protocol governing the disclosure of documentary evidence which is available through the Inquiry website.
Timing of the delivery of the report to me is a matter for the Inquiry, but it is my hope that the Inquiry can complete its work before the end of the year. Upon publication, copies of the report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Seccombe on 2014-03-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the breakdown of departmental spending in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on catering, hospitality and refreshments in (1) 2008–09, and (2) 2009–10.
Lord De Mauley
This table sets out the information requested, in respect of Core Defra.
|
£ |
2008-09 |
2009-10 |
|
Catering and Hospitality |
426,317 |
545,253 |
|
Refreshments |
18,574 |
7,114 |
The figures for Catering and Hospitality include a subsidy paid to the Department’s providers of in-house catering, hospitality and refreshments. The Department no longer pays such a subsidy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much has been spent from the public purse on accommodating asylum seekers in (a) hotels and (b) bed and breakfasts, hostels and other establishments that provide lodging paid on a short-term basis in each year since May 2010; and how much was spent in each region.
James Brokenshire
Accommodation is provided to asylum applicants through contracts with third party suppliers. Providers are required to provide accommodation that is safe, fit for purpose and correctly equipped in line with the contractual Statement of Requirements agreed between themselves and the Home Office.
There is no added expense to the Home Office when providers use B&B or hotel accommodation as short term contingency accommodation. Any and all additional costs are borne by the provider.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jake Berry on 2014-03-25.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases of child benefit fraud his Department is investigating.
Nicky Morgan
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) approach to Child Benefit error and fraud is to verify all new claims and, on a risk basis, to check existing claims for incorrect information against data from other systems. Where HMRC consider that a claim may not be correct, they open an enquiry. Where the enquiry determines that the claim is incorrect, the claim or part of the claim is terminated.
Child Benefit compliance enquires are carried out continually throughout the year and as at 31 March 2014, HMRC had 3565 ongoing cases.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 10 February 2014, Official Report, column 474, on unmanned air vehicles: guided weapons, if his Department will publish the method and results from the UK-US firing trials of Brimstone missiles from MQ-9 Reaper.
Mr Philip Dunne
The firing trials successfully demonstrated rapid integration of Brimstone missiles onto the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted air system – safe carriage, safe release and system targeting – with a high success rate against static and high-speed manoeuvring targets.
However, the final trials report has not yet been completed and it remains too early to say what information from the report, or the trial method, will be published.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps the Government plans to take to deliver the commitments on nuclear security contained in paragraph 27 of the Hague Nuclear Security Summit Communiqué held in the Hague on 24 and 25 March 2014.
Michael Fallon
Safety and security are top priorities for the Government and there is a robust security framework in place for the civil nuclear industry. We seek continuous improvement in line with internationally established principles. The UK has a strong and effective independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), which ensures compliance with the requirements placed on duty holders by the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (as amended) and the performance-based National Objectives, Requirements and Model Standards (NORMS). There is extensive engagement between the Government, ONR and duty holders. The full set of UK commitments made at the Nuclear Security Summit which go towards meeting paragraph 27 of the Summit’s Communiquécan be found at the following link:
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sheila Gilmore on 2014-06-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Help and Support for Separated Families Co-ordinated Telephone Network started full operation; and which organisations are taking part.
Steve Webb
The Help and Support for Separated Families telephone network began full operation in March 2014 and the participating organisations are:
Family Lives;
Relate;
Wikivorce; and
The National Youth Advocacy Service.
£344k of awards have been made for the co-ordinated telephony network. £344k is the maximum amount payable under the terms of the grant for the period to 31st May 2014. This covers both actual invoices paid to date and amounts not yet billed by suppliers. The evaluation of the telephony network will be carried out in-house.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dr Julian Huppert on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what draft guidance on the instances where water cannon may be deployed has been (a) written and (b) consulted on.
Damian Green
The Home Secretary has now received the request to authorise water cannon for use by the police in England and Wales. She is considering this request and will announce her decision in due course and lay the relevant information in the House Library.