The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Harris of Haringey on 2014-03-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether people who live outside the Rural Support Zone whose properties are affected by HS2 will be considered for a property bond scheme.
Baroness Kramer
The Government is not yet able to confirm the outcome of the recent consultation on property compensation for Phase One of HS2, but expects to make an announcement soon.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Blenkinsop on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the extent to which there is a gender imbalance in the composition of Local Enterprise Partnership boards.
Michael Fallon
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) board membership is a matter for LEPs themselves and they are best placed to ensure it meets the needs of their businesses and local people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Harrison on 2014-03-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for large occupational defined benefit pension schemes to be active owners or stewards of their assets, in line with the definition of stewardship as highlighted in the Financial Reporting Council’s Stewardship Code.
Lord Freud
The Government supports the principles set out in the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) UK Stewardship Code including schemes becoming active stewards of their investments and reporting on that stewardship. The Code sets out a number of areas of good practice to which the FRC believes institutional investors should aspire, and operates on a ‘comply or explain’ basis. It includes guidance for pension schemes and other asset owners on steps they can take to protect and enhance the value that accrues to the ultimate beneficiary. The FCA requires UK authorised asset managers to report on whether or not they apply the Code.
The UK stewardship code is voluntary, however we would encourage workplace pensions schemes to comply with the principles set out in the code. In addition we are developing governance standards of workplace defined contribution schemes, and have asked the Law Commission to investigate how fiduciary duties currently apply in the investment chain. The Pensions Regulator’s defined contribution Code of Practice also sets out the legal requirements and standards they expect trustees of defined contribution schemes to attain. This includes a section on investment which also references the FRC Stewardship code. These initiatives are part of our on-going work to ensure schemes are governed and administered to deliver in members’ interests.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish the externally audited copies of the last three years’ accounts supplied by alternative learning providers who sought specific course designation under his Department’s financial sustainability, management and governance checks.
Mr David Willetts
The audited accounts of alternative providers submitted to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) as part of the specific designation application process are commercially confidential information. They are only shared with parties involved in the assessment of that application. BIS will not be publishing this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.
Elizabeth Truss
I refer the Rt. hon member to the response of 26 March 2014, Hansard column 300W, provided by the Cabinet Office.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine McKinnell on 2014-06-11.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what details parents will be required to provide for the quarterly reconfirmation process for tax-free childcare; what measures will be in place to ensure that parents are reminded about the deadline for quarterly reconfirmation; and what provisions he will put in place in the event that parents fail to provide the necessary details for (a) one quarter and (b) more than one quarter.
Nicky Morgan
Details on the Tax-Free Childcare reconfirmation process were included in the Government’s Consultation Response published on 18th March 2014, which set out how reconfirmation will enable a smooth customer journey whilst protecting the scheme from error and fraud.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Dominic Raab on 2014-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2014, Official Report, column 604W, on EU Justice and Home Affairs, with which countries the EU as a legal personality has concluded co-operation agreements in the field of justice and home affairs.
Karen Bradley
I refer my Hon. Friend to the response given by the Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington) on 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 70W. In addition, JHA agreements have also been concluded with Brazil, Ukraine and Moldova during the course of this Government which build on the borders and immigration aspects of the Schengen system, in which the UK does not participate.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Prime Minister, for what reasons the G7 Summit Declaration does not mention Iraq; what discussions took place at that summit on (a) the rise of Al Qaeda-linked organisations in western and northern Iraq and (b) other issues relating to Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Cameron
I refer the hon. Member to my Oral Statement on the G7 on 11 June 2014, Official Report, column 549.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reasons Worksop Courthouse is planned to close.
Mr Shailesh Vara
There are no plans to close the courthouse at Worksop. A consultation is currently underway on potential changes to listing arrangements at Worksop Magistrates’ Court. The consultation commenced on 19 March 2014 and closes on 30 April 2014 and all responses will be taken into account before any decision is made.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Smith on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether agreement has been reached to extend to 2020 the reduction to household water bills for South West Water customers.
Dan Rogerson
The Government announced the decision to fund South West Water to enable it to cut bills by £50 per year for all household customers in the Budget 2011. Households in the South West have received the reduction since April 2013. The understanding has always been that this reduction would continue for the duration of both the current spending review and the next.