Blog

  • Matthew Offord – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Matthew Offord – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the measures contained within the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation’s European Model Law for the promotion of tolerance and the suppression of intolerance.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    In the UK we have a strong legal framework against all forms of hate crime and discrimination. Many of the aims suggested in the European Model Law for the promotion of tolerance and the addressing of intolerance are reflected in our current approach and we welcome input and views on how we can improve our work.

  • Crispin Blunt – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Crispin Blunt – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Crispin Blunt on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what risk assessments his Department has made of the Successor submarine and Trident missile renewal programmes; and whether a further such risk assessment is planned to inform a final main gate decision.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    Ministry of Defence and Treasury officials are involved in scrutinising and assuring the costs and the levels of risk within the Successor submarine and Trident D5 missile life extension programmes, including before major investment decisions.

  • David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Burrowes on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her announcement on 9 February 2015 on an independent review of policies and procedures affecting the welfare of those held in immigration removal centres, and pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Immigration of 10 September 2015, Official Report, column 601, when she expects that review will be published.

    James Brokenshire

    Stephen Shaw CBE, the former Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales, has recently completed his independent review into welfare in detention and his report has been submitted. His findings are being carefully considered before the report is published by laying it before Parliament, alongside the Government’s response to the recommendations.

  • David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Burrowes on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the results of the Family Test applied to the policies proposed in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill [Lords].

    James Wharton

    The Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill is an enabling Bill. The Government will undertake the appropriate tests and publish them before any implementation orders are made.

  • David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Burrowes on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer to Question 10161 of 22 September 2015, on Sunday trading, when he plans to publish the results of the Family Test.

    Anna Soubry

    Pursuant to the answer given to Question 10161 of 22 September 2015, we still anticipate that the results of the Family Test will be published alongside the Government’s response to the consultation.

  • David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Burrowes on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the results of the Family Test applied to the policies proposed in the Immigration Bill.

    James Brokenshire

    In accordance with the public sector equality duty, the Home Office has conducted an equality assessment of all policies in the Immigration Bill. The additional Family Test is designed to support strong and stable family relationships among those families legally resident in the United Kingdom. The Immigration Bill is designed to ensure that people in the UK illegally cannot work and access services. Any impact on people while they are in the United Kingdom illegally which results from the Immigration Bill is temporary, until the point of their departure, and as such the Family Test is not engaged.

  • David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Burrowes – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Burrowes on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 October 2015 to Question 10467, when she plans for the results of the application of the Family Test on orders seeking to control drugs that are dangerous or otherwise harmful when misused to be published.

    Mike Penning

    The Family Test was considered when developing previously published Impact Assessments on drug control orders but, in accordance with the published guidance, it was concluded there were no tangible direct impacts on families and it was not proportionate to apply the specific test. Impact assessments published alongside future orders seeking to control drugs will evidence consideration of the Family Test.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Nicholas Soames – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of animal welfare laws on the protection of horses; and if she will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    When the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was reviewed in 2010, no recommendations were made specific to horses. Earlier this year, improvements were made to the Animals Act 1971 in relation to fly-grazing horses to enable horses left on other people’s land, without the landowner’s permission, to be removed more quickly. We have included the Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970 in a review of animal establishment related licensing that my department is currently undertaking. We will issue a formal consultation shortly on a set of proposals.

  • Steve McCabe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Steve McCabe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the report Comparing Motor-Vehicle Crash Risk of EU and US Vehicles, published in May 2015; and what the implications of that report are for the TTIP negotiations.

    Anna Soubry

    More closely aligning the regulations for the EU and US through the EU-US Free Trade Agreement could lead to an increase in UK automotive exports to the US by up to 25%. EU and US regulators, including representatives from the UK, are assessing the report as part of the broader analysis to identify which regulations have similar overall outcomes on safety. Negotiators will seek to agree areas for mutual recognition, without compromising EU safety standards.

  • Steve McCabe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Steve McCabe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to change its policy on free school meal provision for infant school pupils.

    Mr Sam Gyimah

    The continuation of universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) was a commitment in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto. The government is currently conducting a Spending Review across all its programmes.