The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the transfer of HMS Cambria to Cardiff Bay is expected to be completed.
Mark Lancaster
On current plans, completion is expected in the autumn of 2018.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on whether technology in the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation FC-31 aircraft was stolen or copied from the F35-B Lightning II.
Mr Philip Dunne
I am aware of dated reporting in media that suggests this to be the case. The Ministry of Defence does not comment on such material as to do so would or would be likely to prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and other States.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what advice his Department sought from where on the decision as to whether to cease displaying radioactive material hazard signs on vehicles carrying special nuclear materials.
Penny Mordaunt
The Defence Equipment and Support organisation decided to cease displaying radioactive material hazard warning signs on vehicles carrying special nuclear materials in July 2011. Before implementing this decision we sought legal advice and notified the regulator. The change was implemented in 2012 in anticipation of the transition to a single type of vehicle for the transport of both nuclear weapons and special nuclear materials and was needed in order to maintain the policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons. No changes were required to operating arrangements as a result of this decision. The Ministry of Defence’s arrangements for the safe transport of defence nuclear materials include the provision of information to the emergency services in the event of an incident; this does not rely on displaying radioactive material hazard warning signs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what independent research is being carried out on the availability and affordability of flood insurance for small businesses in flood affected areas.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
We have recently published a report, carried out on our behalf by Ipsos MORI that considers the availability of flood insurance for small businesses in areas of high flood risk.
The study found that uptake of insurance in small and medium sized businesses is high, with 95% of businesses having commercial insurance cover and only 2.5% reporting any difficulties in accessing insurance.
The report is available on-line on the science and research section of Defra’s website, under the heading “Affordability and Availability of Flood Insurance – FD2688”.
We continue to keep this important issue under review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place with the Welsh Government about the benefits of the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and in particular about a duty on all public bodies to carry out sustainable development being adopted across the UK.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
None.
The Government is strengthening environmental protection by developing a 25 year framework for a healthy, diverse and resilient natural environment. We are also supporting the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in the UK and will continue to take a leading role in championing the SDGs internationally.
We recognise the inter-dependent nature of our economy, environment and communities. Government Departments will continue to consider and seek to improve the impact on all three areas when developing their policies in line with HMT’s Green Book Guidance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the future viability of the Thames Barrier will be considered as part of the National Flood Resilience Review.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The viability of the Thames Barrier has been extensively reviewed, and conclusions were published in 2012. This Review will focus on updating our climate modelling and stress-testing the nation’s resilience to flood risk.
We will make appropriate decisions on next steps using any new evidence that comes out of that work.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Henig on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assess how effectively Police and Crime Panels have exercised their powers of scrutiny over the decisions and actions of Police and Crime Commissioners in the past year.
Lord Bates
The Government continually keeps under review how effectively Police and Crime Panels (PCPs) exercise their role in scrutinising and supporting the work of the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC).
In the last year, for example, the Government has acknowledged recommendations about the adequacy of PCP scrutiny and support functions made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in their Report- Tone from the Top: Leadership, Ethics and Accountability in Policing.
The Government is also currently consulting on the complaints process for PCPs when they seek to resolve non-criminal complaints made against the PCC. The proposed new process would be framed around the seven Nolan Principles (which form the basis of the ethical standards expected of public office holders) and will enable PCPs to take forward complaints about a PCCs conduct and make recommendations about expected levels of behaviour.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Green of Deddington on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers have been transferred from the UK to other EU member states under the Dublin Regulations owing to (1) family reasons (Articles 8, 9 and 10), and (2) irregular entry (Article 13.1), in each of the years for which data are available.
Lord Bates
Data is available from 2007. In those years there have been no transfers to other EU member states under the Dublin Regulations owing to family reasons (Articles 8, 9 and 10). The table below indicates those years and numbers where we have transferred cases for reasons of Irregular Entry (Article 13.1)
|
Year of Return |
Returns |
|
2014 |
20 |
|
2015 |
75 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Green of Deddington on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many third country nationals have been transferred to the UK from other EU member states under (1) Article 8, (2) Article 9, and (3) Article 10, of the Dublin Regulations for their asylum cases to be heard by the UK authorities in each of the years for which data are available, and from which EU member state those individuals came.
Lord Bates
Data on cases progressed under the Dublin Convention is recorded on the main immigration database. However, this data is not currently available in the form requested as it is not held in a way that allows it to be reported on automatically.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Darling of Roulanish on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the impact of payment protection insurance payments made since 2010 on UK gross domestic product.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
The most recent figures available from the FCA show that a total of £393.8m was paid in November 2015 to customers who complained about the way they were sold PPI. This takes the amount paid out since January 2011 to £22.2bn.
The most recent analysis of the impact on GDP is the Office for Budget Responsibility’s 2012 Economic and Fiscal Outlook report, which stated that its economic growth forecast of 0.8% over 2 years would be mainly due to the impact of PPI fee repayments.