The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the lease extension of the military base on Diego Garcia.
James Duddridge
We have been clear that we want to see US presence continue. However, the Government has not yet held discussions with the US about continuing the agreement relating to Diego Garcia.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his French counterpart on the Treaty of Le Touquet; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Lidington
The Le Touquet Treaty is crucial to maintaining the UK’s border security. We meet regularly with our French Counterparts to discuss border security issues and look forward to further cementing our close cooperation at the upcoming UK-France summit on 3 March.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Fuller on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress has been made on the High Level Prosperity Partnership in Africa.
James Duddridge
In 2013 we established high level prosperity partnerships with Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania. They form the context within which the UK seeks to increase mutual prosperity and generate jobs.
The recent appointment of The Rt Hon Baroness Northover as trade envoy for Angola, my Honourable Friend, the Member for Windsor, as trade envoy for Ghana and my Honourable Friend, the Member for Newbury, as trade envoy for Mozambique will further enhance these partnerships.
Our commitment to these agreements is illustrated by regular high-level visits, totalling 14 in the last three years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Heaton-Harris on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made on the options circulated by the President of the European Council on the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Mr Philip Hammond
As The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) made clear in his statement to the House yesterday, the renegotiation deal delivers on the Government’s commitment to fix the problems with the EU that have frustrated people in the UK. It is legally binding, irreversible and delivers for the UK. The deal gives the UK the best of both worlds: in to the parts of Europe that work for us and out of those parts which don’t.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Hollobone on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps have been taken during the Government’s negotiations on the UK’s membership of the EU to restore the UK’s rebate to its full previous value.
Mr David Lidington
The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has been clear that the four priorities of our renegotiations are: economic governance; competitiveness; sovereignty; and benefits to EU migrants.
The EU budget financing system was agreed in 2013, when we secured an historic real-terms cut and protected the rebate. Parliament ratified that deal last year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the police on the police grant settlement.
Mike Penning
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The Home Secretary has regular meetings with policing partners on a range of issues, including police funding. The Government published the Final Police Grant Report for 2016/17 on 4 February following the usual public consultation. The Final Police Grant Report was approved by the House on 10 February. This represents a good settlement for policing. |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Hammond on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support the Metropolitan Police in tackling terrorism in London.
Mr John Hayes
We have ensured the police have the necessary powers and resources to tackle the terrorist threat, including in London, where the Metropolitan Police play a leading role in tackling terrorism across the country.
Counter-Terrorism Policing spending will be protected over the next Spending Review period. Indeed, for 2016/17 it will be increased in real terms to £670 million for England and Wales. An additional £34 million will also be provided to enable a national uplift in armed policing capability and capacity to respond more quickly and effectively to a firearms attack.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Morris on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Government’s policy is on steps to increase cooperation between police forces and fire services.
Mike Penning
The Government is committed to supporting the police and fire services to work more closely together. The Policing and Crime Bill includes a duty to collaborate and enables Police and Crime Commissioners to make the case to take on responsibility for fire and rescue locally, extending the benefits of directly elected, accountable leadership and driving collaboration.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the timeliness of the processing of Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
Karen Bradley
The average processing time for disclosure applications is 15.3 days and 94.3% of applications are issued within 8 weeks, as of December 2015. Some Enhanced Certificate applications are referred to relevant police forces. DBS is working closely with the small number of forces whose performance does not meet turnaround targets.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to reform the police complaints process.
Mike Penning
Complaints made against the police must be responded to in a way that builds public confidence, and allows lessons to be learned.
The Policing and Crime Bill will reform the complaints system so that the handling of police complaints is customer focused and that cases are dealt with quickly and effectively, not just for the benefits of the public, but also for officers who have done nothing wrong.