The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many organisations considered in-scope under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 have provided Certificates of Performance in each Department in 2015.
Matthew Hancock
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not require the submission of Certificates of Performance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2015-11-26.
To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to pages 18 and 19 of his response to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee’s Second Report of Session 2015-16: The Extension of Offensive British Military Operation to Syria, published on 26 November 2015, what his assessment is of the capacity of the 70,000 Syrian opposition fighters referred to (a) taking territory from ISIL, (b) holding that territory and (c) administering it; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Cameron
We estimate that there are around 70,000 Syrian opposition fighters on the ground who do not belong to extremist groups, many of whom are linked to the Free Syrian Army. In addition to these 70,000, there are around 20,000 Kurdish fighters in Syria, who are also playing an important role in combating ISIL. The information we have on individual groups which forms the basis of this estimate is drawn in large part from intelligence. It would not be to the benefit of these non-extremist opposition fighters if we were to make it public to ISIL and the Syrian regime. We have very close intelligence relationships with a range of allies and partners, and share assessments with them as a matter of course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2016-01-07.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is taking steps to enable his Department’s child tax credit department to answer the enquiries of hon. Members electronically.
Mr David Gauke
The use of standard email is insecure and therefore in order to protect customers’ information, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not use it when dealing with sensitive personal and financial information. However, HMRC does answer MPs enquiries electronically in cases where the response does not include any sensitive customer data.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stuart C. McDonald on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been accommodated in hostel-type accommodation provided by Compass in each Compass region in each month since 1 April 2015; and how many such people have been held under (a) section 98, (b) section 95 and (c) section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
James Brokenshire
In general, there are two types of accommodation used for asylum seekers. First, Initial Accommodation (“IA”) which is mainly full board and is provided while the support application is being assessed. Second, “dispersal accommodation”, generally shared flats, maisonettes and houses, is provided once the person is found to be eligible for support. The length of time someone will stay in an Initial Accommodation centre will vary from person to person according to their particular circumstances. However, the Home Office aims to process their application for financial support and move straightforward cases to longer term dispersal accommodation in participating dispersal towns and cities within 19 days.
The Home Office does not centrally record the number of people housed in initial accommodation under each section of the 1999 Act. It could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department’s wellness strategy is.
Mr Desmond Swayne
DFID seeks to create a workplace where we protect the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, optimise the opportunity to promote a healthy workforce, maintain safe systems of work and proactively support the physical and emotional wellbeing of staff. These principles are reflected throughout DFIDs HR Policies and approach to People Management.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry on 2016-03-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of progress towards political reconciliation and community cohesion in Iraq.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We welcome the commitments that Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has made to reaching out to all of Iraq’s communities and delivering the reforms needed to progress reconciliation in Iraq.
Although Prime Minister Abadi has taken a number of important steps in this regard, including appointing the most inclusive government that Iraq has seen for a decade and advancing decentralisation, the reconciliation process remains in the early stages, with progress slow.
Key elements of the reconciliation agenda – including legislation aimed at addressing the grievances of Iraq’s communities – remain at various stages of deliberation in Parliament.
During his recent visit to Iraq the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed the importance of genuine reform and meaningful reconciliation with Prime Minister Abadi and emphasised the importance of progress. We continue to support Prime Minister Abadi in his efforts to build a better future for all of Iraqis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if his Department will take steps to support finding a new buyer for Austin Reed Group Ltd.
Anna Soubry
I understand that the announcement that Austin Reed has filed for administration will be worrying for those affected.
First and foremost, the Administrator’s focus will be on securing a buyer for the business. The Insolvency Service is in regular contact with the Administrators and we are keeping the situation under close review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-06-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what funding is available for third-sector training providers to support young people who are not in education, employment or training and not ready for classroom-based learning since the end of the Youth Contract.
Nick Boles
Third sector providers and local authority adult education services access the Adult Education Budget as prime and sub-contractors, using the funding for training which helps young people who are not in education, employment or training prepare for work, amongst other objectives. They also compete to run local European Social Fund programmes; many of these programmes focus on helping young people improve their skills levels and employment opportunities.
Where combined authorities agree devolution deals which include devolution of the Adult Education Budget, they will assume full responsibility for decisions about what provision to commission from that budget. Nine areas have agreed such deals to date, with devolution of that budget due to take effect from 2018/19, subject to readiness conditions being met. BIS is working with those areas in advance of full devolution to help increase local influence over nationally-funded adult education provision in their locality in the interim.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lisa Nandy on 2016-09-02.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue the Government has collected from VAT on household energy bills in 2015-16.
Jane Ellison
The information requested is not available. HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on VAT revenue from particular goods and services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Turkish counterparts on what estimate the government of Turkey has made of when it expects Turkey to join the EU.
Sir Alan Duncan
As and when Turkey meets the requirements for accession in full, it will be for Turkey and EU members at the time to decide on membership. The UK will continue to support countries committed to the accession process in meeting the necessary requirements.