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  • Emily Thornberry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Emily Thornberry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2016 to Question 34932, what the grades were of the civilian employees seconded by his Department to (a) the Joint Intelligence Organisation’s Assessments Staff and (b) the National Security Secretariat within the Cabinet Office during 2015.

    Mark Lancaster

    Given the nature of the work that the Joint Intelligence Organisation’s Assessments Staff and the National Security Secretariat carry out, the Ministry of Defence is unable to disclose details of staff seconded to these areas for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK’s contribution will be to the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The UK has a leading role in the implementation of NATO’s Readiness Action Plan, of which the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is a part. The UK will contribute to the VJTF in every year between now and 2021 including: a 1,000 strong battle group for the Spanish-led VJTF(Land) in 2016; we will act as the VJTF(Land) Framework Nation in 2017 leading a multinational force that includes up to 3,000 UK personnel, a brigade headquarters and a core package of "enablers", such as engineering and logistics capabilities; and, in 2020 we will provide a 1,000 strong battle group to the Polish-led VJTF(Land).

    For 2016 and 2017, the UK will also contribute Airborne Early Warning, Air to Air Refuelling, and Tornado and/or Typhoon aircraft to the VJTF(Air) commitment; and, for the VJTF(Maritime) element, we will provide HMS Ocean as the 2 Star Maritime Component Command, a frigate, and a mine countermeasures vessel.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the scale of Russian military presence in the Arctic.

    Penny Mordaunt

    Russia has a significant military presence in the Arctic, comprising land bases and airfields, together with both surface and sub-surface maritime forces, including strategic missile submarines. In recent times we have observed an increase in personnel and the re-development of military infrastructure in the region. Linked to this has been an increase in the number and scale of exercises by the Russian Armed Forces. A new Arctic Command has been developed to oversee this increased footprint and operational tempo. Together with allies, we will continue to monitor Russian activity in the region.

  • Crispin Blunt – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Crispin Blunt – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Crispin Blunt on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Government’s policy is on (a) including within Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions 1949 prohibition of the targeting of individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and (b) whether the consequences under international law of targeting individuals on the ground of sexual orientation are the same as targeting on the grounds of race, colour, religion or faith, sex and birth or wealth.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The Government does not target individuals based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. Common Article 3 prohibits adverse distinction founded on race, colour religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the militerisation of the Arctic.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The UK respects the sovereign authority and policies of our Allies in the Arctic region, and their consensus is to maintain the Arctic as a largely demilitarised region while recognising the need to ensure security of sovereign territory. This approach is shared by NATO, which does not maintain a presence in the Arctic. Nevertheless, the UK maintains the capability to operate in extreme cold environments, including the Arctic, and together with Allies we continue to monitor military activity in the region.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2015 to Question 20201; what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy on safe-standing facilities at higher tier sports stadia on the recent findings of the Hillsborough Inquest.

    David Evennett

    My Rt Honourable Friend the Home Secretary made a statement on the determinations and findings of the fresh Hillsborough inquests (Official Report, 27 April 2016, columns 1433-1463). The Taylor Report made recommendations after the disaster that would make sports grounds safer, which included the introduction of all-seater stadia in the top two tiers of English football.

    The Government remains of the view that that all-seater stadiums are the best means to ensure the safety and security of fans at football in England and Wales. All-seater stadiums have helped improve crowd management, crowd behaviour and policing. They also provide more comfortable facilities for spectators to enjoy football matches. We will, however, monitor the introduction of safe standing accommodation in Scotland closely once evidence from the Scottish experience is available.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with Tourism NI on increasing the level of tourism from the UK mainland to Northern Ireland.

    David Evennett

    Tourism Ireland, a body established under the Good Friday Agreement, has responsibility for marketing Northern Ireland as a visitor destination in all markets outside of the island of Ireland, including in Great Britain.

    We want more tourists to visit Northern Ireland, and experience all that it has to offer, from the Giant’s Causeway to the film set for Game of Thrones. My officials have regular discussions with their counterparts in each Devolved Administration on tourism.

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    There are Memoranda of Understanding in place between VisitBritain, Tourism Ireland and the Tourism Northern Ireland, which set out their respective roles and responsibilities.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Education and (b) Northern Ireland Executive on increasing the involvement of children and young people of school age in commemorative events for the First World War.

    David Evennett

    My Department works in close partnership with the Department for Education on the First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours and Legacy 110 programmes for secondary schools, which we encourage schools to sign up to throughout the centenary period. To get even more young people involved in commemorations, we will soon launch the Great War Debate series for schools. We plan to hold one of these debates at the Clandeboye Estate, a First World War army training site, in November.

    Children will take part in all our national commemorative events to mark the Battle of Jutland in Orkney on 31 May, and the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval and Manchester on 1 July. As one example, over 1300 school children are due to visit the Experience Field at Heaton Park in Manchester on 1 July, as part of the Somme commemorations.

    Commemorative events in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland WWI Centenary Committee. The Chair of the Committee attends Government Advisory Group meetings where all aspects of the centenary programmes are discussed.

  • Helen Goodman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Helen Goodman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with the BBC on the decision to move the Chinese language BBC World News Service to Hong Kong.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    I have not had any discussions with the BBC about the decision to move the Chinese language BBC World News Service to Hong Kong. Operational decisions of this nature are for the BBC themselves, and rightly independent of Government.

  • Catherine West – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Catherine West – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-04-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many regional or minority languages are recognised by his Department; and how many of those languages receive funding for language programmes.

    James Wharton

    The United Kingdom has recognised seven languages under the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Welsh, Gaelic, Irish, Scots, Ulster Scots, Cornish and Manx. Cornish is the only language in England to have this status and since April 2010 the Department for Communities and Local Government has provided £650,000 to Cornwall Council for the development of the Cornish Language.