Category: Speeches

  • Lord Pendry – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Pendry – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Pendry on 2014-04-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of British Cycling’s Time to Choose Cycling campaign, what progress has been made in promoting cycling as a safe and viable transport method around the United Kingdom.

    Baroness Kramer

    Cycling is normal and fun and we are committed to making it a safer travel choice so more people can appreciate the benefits of physical activity. Cycling can help tackle congestion, reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality.

    In August last year the Prime Minister set out his ambition for increasing cycling. This included £94 million for Cycling Ambition Grants which covered eight cities and four National Parks across England. These eight cities all have ambitious targets to increase cycling over the coming years.

    In addition, we have invested £15 million for cycling and walking links in communities and almost £15 million for cycling infrastructure at rail stations – our rail funding has been the major enabler in doubling the amount of cycle-rail facilities at stations since 2009. We also continue to support Bikeability training for children – we provide funding of up to £40 per training place – over a million children have been trained.

    Finally, to help realise the Prime Minister’s ambition for cycling, we are working with stakeholders and Government to produce a Cycling Delivery Plan for publication later this year.

  • Catherine McKinnell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Catherine McKinnell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine McKinnell on 2014-06-16.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost was of the report entitled, Evaluating alternative market models for Tax-Free Childcare vouchers, prepared by Economic Insight for his Department; what assessment he made of this report’s findings and recommendations; and whether these recommendations informed the operation and design of his Department’s policy on tax-free childcare.

    Nicky Morgan

    Economic Insight were asked to consider whether there are any reasons why a private sector competitive market for childcare accounts might not function well. It compared it to a closed model in which there is competition to select a limited number of private sector childcare account providers. It concluded that there were no reasons why a competitive market could not function effectively as parents would be able to assess the differences between the offers and choose accordingly.

    On the 23 May the Government published a further consultation on the delivery of childcare accounts within Tax-Free Childcare. The consultation will be open until 27 June and the Government will consider the responses alongside those to the first consultation before it makes its decision on the provision of childcare accounts.

  • The Duke of Montrose – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The Duke of Montrose – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Duke of Montrose on 2014-04-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any countries have outstanding applications for membership of the European Union and which they are; how many countries having applied are pending recognition that they have reached the level of compliance required under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union; and whether any precedence will be given to applicants based on the date when they are recognised as having reached the compliance criteria.

    Baroness Warsi

    Five countries currently have the status of a ‘candidate’ for membership of the EU. Of these, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey are currently in accession negotiations. Iceland has suspended its accession negotiations. Macedonia is a candidate country but has not yet opened accession negotiations. Negotiations are opened on the basis that countries have achieved a high degree of compliance with the membership criteria, including respect for the values referred to in Article 2 Treaty on EU (TEU).

    Albania has also submitted an application for EU membership. It did this in 2009. The Council is considering Albania’s application in light of assessments prepared by the Commission.

    Each aspiring country’s progress towards the European Union depends on its individual efforts to comply fully with the Copenhagen criteria for accession and broader enlargement conditionality. No precedence is given to applicants based on the date they have been recognised as having reached the criteria for opening accession negotiations.

    The UK continues to be a strong supporter of enlargement based on firm-but-fair conditionality. Countries should proceed strictly on merit, with full adherence to the necessary conditionality before accession.

  • Helen Goodman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Helen Goodman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether National Public Library user surveys are still being taken.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The detail requested is not held centrally by this Department. However the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) collect, annually, from the individual library authorities comprehensive information relating to library service provision in the United Kingdom, which includes data relating to the questions raised. Copies of CIPFA statistics are available in the House Library.

  • John Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    John Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Robertson on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of conclusions of the recent UN IPCC report on the effects of climate change on developing countries.

    Lynne Featherstone

    The Government welcomes the IPCC report. Climate change poses very serious consequences to human health, global food security, and can slow economic growth. Its impacts will be an extra burden for those living in poverty, and make it harder to reduce poverty in developing countries.

  • 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 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) actual and (b) simulated flight hours pilots need to adjust from a fast jet with a heads-up-display to one with only a helmet mounted display.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The adjustment from a fast jet aircraft with a heads-up display to one with a helmet mounted display cannot be quantified in hours as pilots are trained to operate the aircraft as a whole.

  • Toby Perkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Toby Perkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he intends to respond to the consultation on the introduction of a Land Registry service delivery company.

    Michael Fallon

    We are aiming to publish the Government response within 12 weeks of the consultation closing, in line with the consultation principles.

  • David Ruffley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    David Ruffley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Ruffley on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers took early retirement in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) England in each of the last five years.

    Mr David Laws

    The following table provides the number of teachers in publicly-funded schools who took early retirement in Suffolk local authority and England in March 2008-09 to March 2012-13. This is the latest information available. Information for Bury St Edmunds constituency is not available.

    Suffolk LA[1],[2]

    England[1],[2]

    March

    2008-09

    130

    8,570

    2009-10

    100

    7,810

    2010-11

    130

    9,380

    2011-12[3]

    180

    9,780

    2012-13[3]

    150

    8,630

    Source: Pensioner Statistical System (PENSTATS).

    [1] Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 teachers.

    [2] Includes Premature Retirements, Actuarially Reduced Benefits and Ill Health.

    [3]Provisional estimates. 2011-12 data will remain provisional until summer 2015 and 2012-13 data is likely to remain provisional until summer 2016.

  • Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-04-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how self-reported data from local authorities on the Troubled Families programme is audited.

    Kris Hopkins

    All results are approved within each local authority’s internal audit arrangements and under the statutory authority of the Chief Executive. My Department then undertakes a verification process on a sample of claims made.

  • David Winnick – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    David Winnick – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Winnick on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent correspondence his Department has received from UK citizens living in Italy on delays in passport renewal; whether all such letters were acknowledged; and for what reasons any such letter has not yet been acknowledged.

    Mr David Lidington

    Passport renewal is the responsibility of Her Majesty’s Passport Office under the responsibility of Home Office Ministers. Any related correspondence received in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is therefore transferred to that Office for response.