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  • Kerry McCarthy – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Kerry McCarthy – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation of the Saharawi population in Western Sahara; and what discussions he has had with the government of Morocco on this issue.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We assess that there has been progress in the human rights situation. Some concerns remain and we are continuing to follow progress in these areas. My Noble Friend, Lady Anelay, raised Western Sahara at senior levels during her visit to Morocco last month. I discussed Western Sahara issues with the Moroccan Ambassador most recently in January 2015.

  • Kerry McCarthy – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Kerry McCarthy – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the role of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office representatives regularly discuss MINURSO with their international counterparts, most recently in New York in January 2015. The UK supports the UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeremy Corbyn on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on (a) the adoption of a new global army plan and defence strategy, (b) other reforms in the security sector and (c) legislation creating specialised mixed chambers.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    Efforts to stabilise the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) require a reformed army, police and justice sector that can provide effective security across the whole country and an end to the culture of impunity. It is crucial that the security sector operates under democratic control and follows the rule of law, and it and the justice system are responsive to the needs of the Congolese people. We are committed to engaging closely with the new Government of National Unity appointed by President Kabila in December 2014 on national reforms. The DRC made a commitment to deepen security sector reform as part of the regional agreement, the Peace, Stability and Cooperation Framework, signed in Addis Ababa in 2013. Senior officials at the British Embassy in Kinshasa regularly meet with DRC Government Ministers and officials to encourage further steps to implement the reforms necessary for a more effective, accountable and responsive security sector with greater number of perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses brought to justice.

  • Debbie Abrahams – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Debbie Abrahams – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which chemicals authorised for use in pest control are detrimental to human health.

    Mr Mark Harper

    All chemicals authorised for use as pest control products are regulated under specific EU and UK legislation which require an assessment of the potential risks from the use of the product, with the aim of ensuring that they can be used without causing harm to people, animals or the wider environment. Where the risks to human health or the environment are unacceptable, products are not allowed to be placed on the market or used. Where the assessment shows the product can be used safely, no ill-health effects are expected from the correct use of the product as prescribed in the instructions on the product label.

  • Simon Kirby – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Simon Kirby – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to enforce humane standards in slaughterhouses; and if she will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    We have in place legislation which sets down strict animal welfare rules within our slaughterhouses. Enforcement of this legislation is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency; enforcement is carried out by Official Veterinarians in every approved slaughterhouse. We are continuing to work closely with the Food Standards Agency to see how we can further improve the welfare standards in slaughterhouses.

  • Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the labelling requirements are for the sale of halal meat.

    George Eustice

    There are no specific EU or national requirements governing the sale and labelling of Halal meat but where any information of this nature is provided it must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer.

    The Government believes that consumers should have the necessary information available to them to make an informed choice about their food. We are awaiting the results of a European Commission study on method of slaughter labelling which is due within the next few months. We will look at possible options in light of that report.

  • Graham Stringer – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Graham Stringer – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Stringer on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2015 to Question 221753, whether his Department’s three fossil fuel price projections used in policy-making include a projection in which the recent change in fossil fuel prices resembling the recent worldwide fall in such prices.

    Matthew Hancock

    DECC’s projections for oil, gas and coal prices include scenarios to appraise the implications of sustained low prices. We will ensure we use the latest information to inform policy decisions.

  • Dan Byles – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Dan Byles – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Byles on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when his Department first became aware of wind turbines being excessively de-rated in order for generators to benefit from higher than intended feed-in tariffs; and if he will make a statement.

    Amber Rudd

    We are actively monitoring the extent of de-rating and will consider whether action is necessary to prevent wind developers from unfairly exploiting the FITs scheme.

  • Dan Byles – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Dan Byles – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Byles on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many medium wind turbines deemed excessively de-rated have been granted pre-accreditation or have been commissioned in (a) 1 April 2010 to 30 November 2012 at £22.16 per kWh, (b) 1 December 2012 to 31 March 2014 at £18.83 per kWh, (c) 1 April 2014 to 30 September 2014 at £15.06 per kWh, (d) 1 October 2014 to 31 March 2015 at £13.55 per kWh and (e) 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 at £12.05 per kWh.

    Amber Rudd

    We are closely monitoring the extent of de-rating and its impact.

  • Dan Byles – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Dan Byles – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Byles on 2015-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many wind turbines have been deployed in each county within the 100-500kW feed-in tariff to date.

    Amber Rudd

    Information on regional breakdown of FIT deployment is published quarterly, including a break down by technology and Local Authority area here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/sub-regional-feed-in-tariffs-confirmed-on-the-cfr-statistics.

    “