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  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure a continuous presence of Royal Navy vessels in the Falkland Islands.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The Royal Navy has a permanent presence in the South Atlantic in the form of the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel, HMS CLYDE, supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship. The Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, also operates in the South Atlantic region for periods of the year.

    Other Royal Navy ships continue on normal operations in the Atlantic and would be retasked to the Falkland Islands if required.

  • David Nuttall – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    David Nuttall – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Nuttall on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his Department’s policy that DNA samples should be taken when the remains of British soldiers who died in World War One are recovered.

    Mark Lancaster

    When remains thought to be of a British Serviceman are located, DNA samples may be taken if there is a realistic chance of a positive match to living descendants.

    With over 300,000 British and Commonwealth personnel who died in World War One still having no known grave, the chances of one individual being linked to recovered remains alone are extremely remote.

    Whilst extensive efforts are made to positively identify any recovered remains, these must first concentrate on forensic analysis of the remains, artefacts and clothing recovered, along with examination of documentary records such as Regimental War Diaries. Only once this work has identified a relatively small group cohort of likely names would DNA testing prove practical.

  • Greg Knight – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Greg Knight – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when a British frigate or destroyer was last assigned to protect the Falkland Islands; whether there has been any change in his Department’s policy on the provision of such protection: and if he will make a statement.

    Penny Mordaunt

    The Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South) duty provides a tangible presence in the South Atlantic, maintaining a commitment to provide support and reassurance to British Overseas Territories in the region, including the Falkland Islands.

    The last frigate or destroyer in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands was the Type 23 frigate HMS LANCASTER; she completed this task in early December 2015.

    There has been no change to our policy. We continually review our security posture in the Falkland Islands, which remain defended by a range of military assets including the patrol vessel HMS CLYDE, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship and around 1,200 UK personnel operating Royal Air Force Typhoon jets, ground defences and supporting infrastructure. In addition, other Royal Navy ships would be retasked to the Falkland Islands if required.

  • 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 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2016 to Question 25082, how many unauthorised entries to military bases were (a) investigated by a military police force, (b) investigated by Ministry of Defence Police and (c) referred to a local civilian police force for investigation in 2015.

    Mark Lancaster

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) treats all unauthorised entries to military bases very seriously. They are investigated to a level commensurate with their complexity and impact by Military Police, MOD Police or local constabulary.

    A breakdown of how unauthorised entries to military bases recorded within the MOD for 2015 were investigated is set out below.

    Unauthorised Entries recorded in 2015

    Investigated By Military Police Force 14

    Investigated By Ministry of Defence Police 5

    Referred to a local Civilian Police Force 27

  • Carolyn Harris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Carolyn Harris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the role of betting shop staff and their recognition of excluded customers in the betting shop multi-operator self-exclusion scheme.

    David Evennett

    The Betting Shop multi-operator self-exclusion scheme came into force across the whole betting sector on 6 April following successful pilots in Chatham, Glasgow and London. Self-exclusion is an important harm minimisation tool designed to provide greater protection to players who require assistance to manage their gambling. The Gambling Commission will continue to assess how well self exclusion schemes are being delivered.

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how far superfast broadband coverage was extended geographically in 2015; and which counties received the most investment in their superfast broadband coverage in that year.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    Superfast broadband coverage in the UK increased from 75% to 83%, according to the latest Ofcom report. Recent independent analysis from Think Broadband has indicated that 90% of UK premises now have superfast broadband (measured at 24 +Mbit/s). In addition all premises which cannot currently get 2Mbps will be able take advantage of a subsidised satellite broadband service which can deliver speeds of 10Mbps or more.

    BDUK has allocated all of its funding to the local authorities in England and the three Devolved Administrations, which are responsible for the delivery of the superfast broadband programme. Until the programme ends, additional grants will be paid to those local bodies when a delivery milestone has been achieved. Indicative government funding allocations for each project area are published at:https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zwLLqmDnfnjA.khRmsBv2kR70

    “

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the process is for approval of additions or removals of mandatory days for flying the national flag from the list published by his Department on the gov.uk website; which official of his Department has responsibility for that list; and how often that list is revised.

    David Evennett

    My officials discuss any additions or changes with the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. The Designated Days for the flying of the Union Flag are agreed each year and published on the DCMS presence on GOV.UK. There are currently no plans to change the list.

    “

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the criteria are for listing specific days in mandatory flag flying days in the list published by his Department on the gov.uk website.

    David Evennett

    The designated days for flying the Union Flag on Government buildings have been set specifically to mark special occasions by command of Her Majesty the Queen and on the advice of Government.

  • Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2015 to Question 16367, whether graduate schemes and internships will be supported by the apprenticeship levy.

    Nick Boles

    The levy will support apprenticeships at all levels, including degree level (Bachelors’ or Masters) apprenticeships. All apprenticeships must be paid jobs with on- and off-the-job training lasting at least a year.

  • Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-04-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2015 to Question 16367, whether initiatives offering pre-16 training in digital skills to school children before they enter the workforce will be supported by the apprenticeship levy.

    Nick Boles

    The levy will support apprenticeship training to help employers to deliver 3 million starts on high quality apprenticeships.

    All apprenticeships must be paid jobs with on- and off-the-job training lasting at least a year that develops transferable skills and leads to full competence in an occupation.

    Employers can only spend levy funds on apprenticeship training delivered by an approved provider and will not be able to use the levy to pay for other types of training or work experience.