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  • Ian Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Ian Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of how representative the Syrian National Council is of all Syrian opposition groups.

    Hugh Robertson

    The Syrian National Council is one part of the National Coalition. I have called for women, in particular, to be represented more in the National Coalition. I am pleased that the National Coalition has made strenuous efforts to broaden its membership to attract all sections of Syrian society, including ethnic and religious minorities and women, stating that it is a Coalition for all Syrians. The most recent organisation to join its ranks is the Kurdish National Council. We continue to work with the National Coalition in their efforts to deliver more services on the ground through the Interim Government.

  • Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Powell on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many jobs have been transferred from the public to the private sector as a result of privatisations or outsourcing by his Department since May 2010.

    Hugh Robertson

    Comprehensive information on all outsourcing activities and the number of jobs involved is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  • Ian Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Ian Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Syrian National Coalition.

    Hugh Robertson

    We have daily discussions with the Syrian National Coalition, most notably with its leadership through the UK Special Representative to Syria, Jon Wilks, but also at Ministerial level. We are in regular touch with the National Coalition representative in London. We have supported the National Coalition since its foundation in 2012 and have consistently encouraged it to reach out to all Syrians as a democratic, inclusive and unified organisation. This has included practical support to the National Coalition, including on strategic communications and design of internal structures and organisation. The UK is a leading member of the “London 11”, the core group of the Friends of Syria, who are the National Coalition’s strongest supporters. Most recently we hosted a meeting of senior officials from the London 11 in London on 7 March.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of persecution of Christians in North Korea; what steps he is taking within the international community to address that issue; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    I made clear in my response to Oral questions on 8 April that the UN Commission of Inquiry’s report documents a persecution of christians which is truly shocking. The UK played a leading role in ensuring a strong Human Rights Council resolution in response to this report. My Written Ministerial Statement on 31 March 2014 sets out a summary of the concrete measures in the DPRK resolution to ensure the work of the COI continues in order that those responsible for human right violations and crimes against humanity will one day be brought to account.

  • Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Leslie on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which five companies were used most often to provide temporary workers for his Department in the last financial year; and how much in agency fees was paid to each of them.

    Mr David Lidington

    All contingent labour (provision of temporary workers) procured by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is provided by Hayes Specialist Recruitment. In the last financial year (2013/14) £476,000 was paid to Hays in agency fees.

  • Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Leslie on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which five companies were used most often to provide temporary workers for his Department in the last financial year; and how much in agency fees was paid to each of them.

    Dan Rogerson

    The table sets out the information requested for core Defra in respect of 2012-13, the last financial year for which audited information is available. Audited information for 2013-14 will be available in July 2014.

    Companies

    Spending 2012/13

    Average Agency Fees paid

    Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Ltd

    £856,348

    £62,257 (7.2%)

    Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd

    £628,832

    £113,189 (18%)

    Acadent Ltd

    £454,521

    Not available

    Michael Page International

    £202,948

    £23,521 (11.59%)

    Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd

    £182,634

    £21,167 (11.59%)
  • Philip Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Philip Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of dogs owned by people who have previously been banned from owning dogs.

    George Eustice

    No estimate has been made of the number of people owning dogs who have previously been banned. However, the table shows the number of people convicted of breaching disqualification orders, in respect of keeping any animal, made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

    Year

    2010

    2011

    2012

    Convictions

    43

    59

    73

    Source: Data provided by the Home Office on 9 April 2014.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps the Government has taken to protect the UK’s honeybee population.

    Dan Rogerson

    Recent steps taken by Defra to protect the UK’s honeybee population include the launch of the National Pollinator Strategy and conducting a 12 month policy review, in collaboration with stakeholders, on the pests and diseases affecting honeybees. Longer term initiatives include the Healthy Bees Plan and continued funding of the National Bee Unit.

  • Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Powell on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many jobs have been transferred from the public to the private sector as a result of privatisations or outsourcing by his Department since May 2010.

    Dan Rogerson

    Since May 2010, 202 core Defra staff have transferred to the private sector.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policy of the findings of the European Commission’s Epilobee Study, published on 2 April 2014; and if he will make a statement.

    Dan Rogerson

    Defra has received a copy of the report on the findings of the Epilobee Study and is considering its content.

    We take the issue of honeybee health seriously. We have a long-established bee health programme, which includes inspection of colonies, diagnosis of bee pests and diseases, and training for beekeepers. Bee health forms a key part of the National Pollinator Strategy, which is currently out for consultation.