Category: Speeches

  • Marion Fellows – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Marion Fellows – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Marion Fellows on 2016-09-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what number and proportion of (a) overall visa applications and (b) applications from Syrian passport holders have been rejected by her Department in the last year.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The latest quarterly Home Office immigration statistics on entry clearance visas are published in ‘Immigration Statistics, April – June 2016’, available from the Home Office website at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-statistics

  • Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-10-13.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in their discussions with French ministers, they plan to ask that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees be fully represented at camps near Calais and Dunkirk; and whether they plan to press the case for competent interpreters and child advocates.

    Baroness Williams of Trafford

    The management of the migrant camp in Calais, including any decision to dismantle it, is the responsibility of the French Government. The UK continues to work closely with the French Government at both a political and operational level on every aspect of the migrant situation in northern France.

    Although the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French authorities, the Home Secretary made clear on 10 October that we will transfer as many minors as possible to the UK who are eligible under the Dublin Regulation before the camp clearance starts. The Home Secretary further emphasised that the remaining children who may be eligible to come to the UK under the Dubs amendment must be moved to safe facilities where there best interests can be properly considered

  • Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2015-11-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of cascading Class 319 rolling stock to Southern’s Coastway Stopping services once the full fleet of Class 700 trains are in operation on the Thameslink routes.

    Claire Perry

    The Government remains determined to provide better, more comfortable journeys for passengers. However, it is for the relevant train operator to determine the type and quantity of rolling stock that is deployed on a particular route. When cascaded stock is available, it is for the operator to decide whether to bid for them.

  • Lord Taylor of Warwick – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Lord Taylor of Warwick – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 2015-11-30.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2015, which found that women are being paid the average wage men earned in 2006.

    Baroness Williams of Trafford

    New figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the gender pay gap in the UK remains the lowest on record.

    There are now also more women on FTSE Boards and running businesses than ever before, and this year the UK was ranked as the best place in Europe for female entrepreneurs.

    I am proud of our achievements, but recognise there is still more we must do. This is why the government is introducing new regulations that will require larger employers to publish their gender pay gap information. This will encourage companies to take action and drive change on this important issue.

  • John Spellar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    John Spellar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Spellar on 2016-01-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many HGV drivers were trained at the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield, in the last 12 months; and what the maximum student capacity of that school was in the last year.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The term ‘HGV’ (Heavy Goods Vehicle) is no longer used and has been replaced by ‘LGV’ (Large Goods Vehicle).

    The training year runs from 31 March until 1 April.

    As at 31 December 2015, a total of 1,057 military personnel had been trained as LGV drivers at the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield during this training year. The annual capacity for these courses is 1,303 personnel.

  • The Marquess of Lothian – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The Marquess of Lothian – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-02-01.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contingency plans are in place, or in preparation, to address all possible outcomes of a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the EU.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in the UK, so we can get a better deal for our country and secure our future. We are confident that the right agreement can be reached. The civil service are working round the clock to support the renegotiation.

  • Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many social worker vacancies remained unfilled in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015.

    Alistair Burt

    The Department of Health has responsibility for adult social care policy which includes the activities of social workers in adult settings. The Department for Education has responsibility for the activities of social workers in children’s services.

    The Health and Social Care Information Centre has recently published its report “Personal Social Services: Staff of Social Services Departments, England, as at September 2015”. This shows that the vacancy rates for adult social workers in local authorities are as follows:

    2014 there were 1,100* vacancies (8%)

    2015 there were 1,700** vacancies (12%)

    *2014 based on 121 councils with vacancies data recorded.

    **2015 based on 133 councils with vacancies data recorded.

    Source: Skills for Care – NMDS-SC

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what routine responsibilities are required of Amey by Highways England in its maintenance and response contract for the East Midlands.

    Andrew Jones

    The Maintenance and Response (M&R) Contractor for Area 7. Amey Highways Ltd, will be required to undertake cyclic and reactive maintenance, incident response, severe weather response and traffic management across the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. This includes :

    Cyclic and reactive maintenance:

    • Schedule and deliver the annual programme of cyclical work to meet requirements in the most efficient and effective way
    • Carry out defect repairs to the requirements for each asset type

    Incident Response:

    • Attend incident, assess and advise Area 7 Control
    • Make safe and clear up, including environmental containment
    • Act as lead if other parts of the Highways England supply chain is used
    • Carry out associated defect repairs
    • Act as the on-road incident support function for Area 7
    • Be Principal Contractor if other contractors are used

    Severe Weather Response:

    • Provide severe weather response for winter, flooding and high winds
    • Work with Highways England on weather intelligence to be prepared and proactive
    • Provide trained driver / operatives to cover the full winter service
    • Maintain vehicles and equipment
    • Provide fuel used by fleet and management of salt

    Traffic Management (TM):

    • Provide TM for all M&R cyclical work
    • Provide TM for all reactive work, including incidents
    • Provide TM for Highways England activities and Support Services, including inspections and technical survey work
    • Provide TM for events when requested

  • Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a bicycle highway code.

    Andrew Jones

    Sections 59 – 82 of the Highway Code cover “Rules for Cyclists” which includes sections on road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road. In addition Annex 1 of the code “You and your bike” covers information and rules about you and using your bicycle on the road. There are no plans to publish a cycling specific excerpt of the Highway Code. To help cyclists further, the Department is providing £50 million over the next four years to support Bikeability cycle training in schools in England (outside London). This funding will help to increase children’s road awareness, encourage active travel and improve future motorists’ empathy for more vulnerable road users.

  • Stephen Kinnock – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stephen Kinnock – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Kinnock on 2016-06-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce measures to prevent companies based in tax havens from purchasing assets during privatisations.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Government seeks to ensure value for money for the taxpayer in conducting asset sales. This includes running sales on a competitive basis that are open to a wide range of potential buyers. The Government has no plans to change the existing arrangements governing participation in the sale of government assets.