Category: Speeches

  • Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Venezuela.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela where protests have been ongoing since early February. I am saddened by the deaths that have occurred and condemn all acts of violence.

    I welcome the meetings that have now been held between the government and opposition which are an important step towards genuine dialogue. I support the work of the commission of Foreign Ministers from the Union of South American Nations, whose role is to support and advise on dialogue, as well as the involvement of the Vatican.

    In my statement of 26 March I called for all sides to take steps to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and create the right conditions for genuine dialogue. I have written to the Venezuelan Government emphasising the importance of respecting peaceful protest and offered the UK’s assistance in the reconciliation process.

  • Caroline Flint – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Caroline Flint – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Flint on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 3 April 2014, Official Report, column 991, on energy supply, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the amount of electricity traded on the day ahead market has increased from five per cent to more than 50 per cent.

    Michael Fallon

    I refer the rt. hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 13 March 2014, Official Report, Column 304W.

  • Andy Sawford – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andy Sawford – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Sawford on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to promote best practice in NHS podiatry services in (a) NHS England, (b) health and wellbeing boards and (c) clinical commissioning groups.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    The Mandate from the Government to NHS England holds NHS England to account for improving patient care. Within NHS England, the National Clinical Director for Rehabilitation and Recovery in the Community and the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer are leading on work to improve adult rehabilitation services including collection and dissemination of best practice, which will serve to enhance the care of those with foot diseases.

    NHS England is taking a number of actions to improve footcare services for people with diabetic foot disease. Some of these actions are in line with Diabetes UK’s foot campaign “Putting Feet First” while others go beyond the suggestions included in the campaign.

    The actions include the Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set which contains an indicator on “Complications associated with diabetes including emergency admissions for diabetic ketoacidosis and lower limb amputation”; the launch of a National Diabetes Footcare Audit scheduled for July of this year; and an NHS Improving Quality pilot project to reduce the premature mortality associated with diabetic foot disease.

  • Mike Crockart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Mike Crockart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Crockart on 2014-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, to ask the Secretary of State what assessment he has made of recent trends in employment figures in Scotland.

    David Mundell

    Latest official figures show that employment levels are at a record high with 2.6 million people over 16 now employed in Scotland. Over the last year 68,000 more people entered work, including an increase of 46,000 in the female employment level.

    These figures show that the Government’s long term economic plan is working, and how Scotland benefits as part of the UK.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the aggregate household debt in the UK was in the most recent quarter for which figures are available.

    Mr Nick Hurd

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

  • Jeremy Browne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Jeremy Browne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeremy Browne on 2014-04-28.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with the Crown Estate on selling houses.

    Nicky Morgan

    The Crown Estate operates commercially at arm’s length from the Treasury. The Crown Estate makes commercial decisions in line with the Crown Estate Act 1961 and does not normally discuss them in detail with the Treasury.

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-28.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if he will make a statement.

    Andrea Leadsom

    HM Treasury staff are currently based in London and Norwich. HM Treasury policy is to ensure that its current space is used to maximum efficiency in line with the Civil Service Reform agenda before we would consider a move of staff or offices to Brighton, but we are grateful for his suggestion.

  • Angus Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Angus Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the stealth characteristics of the joint strike fighter against all digital very high frequency active electronically steered radar arrays.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    It is part of normal MOD business to continuously assess the stealth performance of the F-35 against very high frequency digital radar.

  • Philip Hollobone – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Philip Hollobone – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Hollobone on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the oral Answer of 20 January 2014 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Planning, Official Report, column 7, on major developments (new schools), what scope there is for organisations other than local education authorities to be involved in the design, planning and sponsorship of new build primary and secondary schools in major new residential developments.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    Any group or organisation can apply to the Department for Education to set up a free school. If approved, the proposers and any group members are involved in all aspects of project planning and design of the school. 175 free schools, 17 UTCs and 28 studio schools have been opened by groups including existing schools, academy sponsors, parents, teachers and community groups. A number of these have been in major new residential developments.

  • John Stanley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    John Stanley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Stanley on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will name the lead local flood authority or authorities for the area of the Tonbridge and Malling constituency.

    Dan Rogerson

    The Lead Local Flood Authority is Kent County Council. This is defined under section 6(7) of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010.