The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military assets his Department has decommissioned in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence manages a wide range of assets to support the UK Armed Forces. A list of equipment decommissioned in the last 12 months is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Shuker on 2016-02-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on whether the National Police Chiefs’ Council consulted academics in producing its revised prostitution strategy.
Karen Bradley
Within the structure of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), chief officers are elected by their peers and take the lead on specific issues from a national operational perspective. It is for the national leads to establish working groups to support them in their role. The Home Office is in regular dialogue with on the NPCC Lead for Prostitution’s office, and as such discussed and commented on the current revision of the strategy.
Prostitution is a complex issue, which can impact on individuals and communities in many different ways, and we are therefore clear that local areas and police forces are in the best position to identify and respond to issues around prostitution in their area. Police forces are assisted in doing so by the National Policing Lead’s refreshed Policing Sex Work Strategy, which stresses the priority of the public protection duty that the police services have in relation to the safety of those involved in prostitution.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Blackman on 2016-02-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress he has made on replacing the current horserace betting levy.
David Evennett
Our aim is to introduce new funding arrangements for British racing by April 2017.
We will create a level playing field for British based and offshore gambling operators, and ensure a fair return from all bookmakers to racing, which has been lost simply because of the shift to remote offshore betting.
Racing will be responsible for making decisions on spending the new fund. We will make a further announcement shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stuart C. McDonald on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will commission an independent inquiry into the role of (a) her Department and (b) ETS related to allegations of English Language Test fraud.
James Brokenshire
The investigation into the abuse of English language testing in 2014 revealed extremely serious, large scale, organised fraud and it is right that the Home Office took decisive action in respect of those against whom there was evidence of cheating. We are disappointed by the decision of the Upper Tribunal and, once we have the full determination, we will consider our next steps carefully, including an appeal of this decision.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-05-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) other NATO member states and (b) Russia on bilateral reductions in stockpiles of non-strategic nuclear weapons; and whether such reductions were discussed at the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in April 2016.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Reductions in US and Russian nuclear forces have been negotiated directly between those two countries. Officials regularly discuss the implementation of those agreements, including the Intermediate Nuclear Forces agreement, with the US and other NATO partners. Nuclear weapons were not discussed at the meeting of the NATO/Russia Council held on 20 April 2016, which mainly focussed on the situation in Ukraine.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-06-08.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government’s anti-poverty objectives in (a) Malawi, (b) Ghana and (c) Nepal are being taken into account when negotiating tax treaties with those countries.
Mr David Gauke
The Government recognises that developing countries may have different preferences from those of the UK and is willing to accommodate these preferences as part of a balanced agreement that is acceptable to both sides.
By governing the taxation of cross-border income flows in a predictable manner and eliminating double taxation and excessive taxation, tax treaties promote international trade and investment, leading to sustainable tax revenues, which are vital in financing for development.
Treasury Ministers decide the UK’s treaty negotiation programme following consultation with a number of interested parties, including the Department for International Development.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-09-06.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Israel in the light of the concern expressed by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine about the death of a refugee and the high number of civilian injuries from live ammunition on 16 August during an Israeli military incursion into Fawwar refugee camp.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
While we have not made specific representations to the Israeli authorities over this issue, we have regularly raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities about the Israel Defence Forces’ (IDF) use of live fire, urging robust and transparent investigations where appropriate. We understand the IDF is currently investigating the circumstances of the death.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2016-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department holds on the number of people who have paid more than 25 per cent of their financial claims compensation to the claims management company handling their claim in each of the last three years; and what steps her Department is taking to prevent those companies from taking commission of more than 24 per cent.
Sir Oliver Heald
Information on the number of people who have lost more than 25 per cent of their financial claims compensation to the claims management company (CMC) handling their claim is not held centrally.
Our priority is to protect consumers who choose to use CMCs. We have consulted on proposals to cap the level of fees that CMCs providing financial claims services can charge consumers. These proposals aim to help consumers get more of the compensation due to them. We are carefully considering the consultation responses and the Government will publish its response in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department has taken to embed the family test into its policy making.
Brandon Lewis
Officials in my Department have liaised with the Department for Work and Pensions as the lead Department for the Family Test to embed it into the policy process. This has included training officials on applying the Test and disseminating relevant evidence, learning materials and best practice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rebecca Long Bailey on 2015-12-02.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what Government property is located in Salford and Eccles constituency.
Matthew Hancock
A list of properties located in the Salford and Eccles constituency drawn from the central database of Government properties and land across the UK, e-PIMS™ is attached. A copy of this will be placed in the Library of the House. Government owned property can be found at:www.gov.uk/find-government-property.
Information is only held centrally on the Central Civil Estate. Any information outside of this is held locally by departments.
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