Blog

  • Paul Monaghan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Paul Monaghan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what measures she has put in place to compensate officers of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary if they are dismissed because of failing (a) fitness and (b) eyesight tests for reasons attributable to advancing age.

    Andrea Leadsom

    This is a matter for the Civil Nuclear Police Authority, who are responsible for the terms and conditions of the officers they employ, as well as ensuring that the capability of officers meets the standards required to carry out their mission of protecting civil nuclear material.

  • Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many small nuclear reactors her Department plans to order over the Spending Review 2015 period.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Small modular reactors (SMRs) are a relatively new technology for civil nuclear power generation and whilst a small number of bespoke “small” reactors have been built and operated, no true SMRs have yet reached demonstration or deployment.

    At Autumn Statement 2015 Government announced it would launch a competition to identify the best value SMR design for the UK. In March 2016 the first phase of the competition was launched. This phase will include structured engagement with technology developers, utilities, potential investors, funders and other parties interested in developing, commercialising and financing SMRs in the UK to inform subsequent stages of the competition. This is the beginning of a process that will enable bids from interested parties in subsequent phases of the competition.

    As we are still in the early stages of the competitive process no decision has yet been made on a potential SMR design or levels of deployment.

  • David Anderson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    David Anderson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many medals have been issued to men conscripted into UK coal mines under the Bevin Boys Veterans Badge scheme.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Since 25th March 2008, when the first Bevin Boys Veterans Badge was issued, to the end of March 2016 the Department has issued just over 5,100 Badges to former Bevin Boys and their widows, where their husbands passed away after the Badge was announced on 20 June 2007.

  • Alan Whitehead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Alan Whitehead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Whitehead on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she plans to publish the impact assessment relating to her Department’s consultation on further reforms to the Capacity Market, published on 1 March 2016.

    Andrea Leadsom

    We are currently reviewing the responses to the 1 March consultation on further reforms to the Capacity Market and will be publishing a Government response shortly. An impact assessment will be published alongside the Government response.

  • Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what protections the Government has put in place to ensure that historic towns are not adversely affected by shale gas extraction.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The Government has been clear that shale development must be safe and environmentally sound, maintaining the very highest safety and environmental standards.

    Any impacts of shale gas exploration proposals on the historic environment are fully taken into account through the planning system. The National Planning Policy Framework explains that when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. Designated heritage assets include World Heritage Sites, scheduled monuments, listed buildings and conservation areas.

    In addition, the Government has consulted on measures to ensure that hydraulic fracturing cannot be conducted from wells that are drilled at the surface of our most valuable areas, including World Heritage Sites, and we will publish our response to the consultation shortly.

  • Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government has taken to ensure that local communities are consulted when planning applications for shale gas extraction sites are made.

    James Wharton

    Any local resident can make representations during a formal period of consultation before any planning application for shale exploration is determined.

  • Andrew Bridgen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Andrew Bridgen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information she holds on the number of schools that have received teaching materials on the EU provided by the EU Commission and the Information Office in the UK.

    Nick Gibb

    The Department does not hold the information on the number of schools that have received materials from the European Commission.

    Schools are aware of their duties regarding impartiality and treatment of political issues. Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996 require maintained schools to secure the balanced treatment of political issues. This duty is reflected in the model funding agreement for academies and free schools. Schools are best-placed to understand their pupils’ needs and to tailor their curricula accordingly. They are aware of their duties regarding impartiality and treatment of political issues, and are required to prevent political indoctrination and secure the balanced treatment of political issues. Teaching should equip pupils to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, to debate, and to make reasoned arguments. It should also prepare them to take their place in society as responsible citizens. At key stage 4, the national curriculum includes teaching about local, regional and international governance and the United Kingdom’s relations with the rest of Europe, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the wider world.

  • Andrew Bridgen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Andrew Bridgen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the effects on the UK of the EU’s Education and Training 2020 programme.

    Nick Gibb

    The Government agrees that policy exchange between EU Member States can make a useful contribution to international comparisons on education and training.

  • Ian Austin – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Ian Austin – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many visits Ministers of her Department have undertaken to China and Singapore since 2010; on what dates such visits took place; and what the total cost of such visits was.

    Nick Gibb

    Three Ministerial visits with accompanying officials have been undertaken to China and Singapore since 2010:

    • Nick Gibb to China Date: 27 March to 1 April 2016 Total cost: £21,323

    • Elizabeth Truss to China Date: 23-28 February 2014 Total cost: £28,884

    • Michael Gove to China (as part of the Prime Minister’s delegation) and Singapore Date: 6-13 November 2010 Total cost: £3,901

  • Ann Coffey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Ann Coffey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Coffey on 2016-04-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children living in regulated children’s homes who were the responsibility of each local authority were placed (a) within that local authority area, (b) outside the local authority area and (c) more than 20 miles away from their home on the latest date for which figures are available.

    Edward Timpson

    The information requested is attached.