Tag: 2015

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb on 2015-09-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to (1) investigate options, and (2) consult on proposals, to widen the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down following the A303/A30/A358 corridor feasibility study last year, and which organisations and individuals they plan to consult during each exercise.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Road Investment Strategy is clear that the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme involves a tunnel of at least 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometres). Highways England is in the early stage of scheme development, looking at options, including the length of tunnel. Consultation on options will take place in 2017 and will involve stakeholders, local residents, businesses, road users and interested parties.

Highways England does not yet have reliable cost estimates for a 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometres), or 4.3 miles (7 kilometres) tunnel. This information would become available during the consideration of options. The A303/A30/A358 Corridor Feasibility Study indicated that the cost estimate for a 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometres) tunnel is in the range of £864m to £1321m.

To date, Highways England has not sought funding outside of their own resources to fund a solution for the A303 past Stonehenge although this does not preclude them from considering other funding sources in the future.

November 2, 2022
Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2015-09-17.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the interest rate hedging products redress scheme operated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Harriett Baldwin

The information requested is available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website:

http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/banking/interest-rate-hedging-products.

“

November 2, 2022
Alan Brown – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2015-09-17.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department assessed the merits of a carbon price support exemption scheme for (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.

Damian Hinds

Environmental protection is a devolved matter, and outstanding land restoration liabilities lie with the relevant local authorities and ultimately with the Scottish Government. The Treasury has fully considered the two proposals put to them for addressing the shortfall of land restoration on abandoned Scottish coal mines: an exemption from the Carbon Price Support (CPS) tax and a direct grant from the Exchequer. Following discussions with Hargreaves, the UK Coal Authority, the Scotland Office, the Scottish Government and DECC, the Treasury has had to decline both proposals after thorough consideration. The reasons for this include: – Addressing the shortfall in land restoration is not the responsibility of the UK Government. Environmental protection is a devolved matter, and outstanding land restoration liabilities lie with the relevant local authorities. – The proposals are unaffordable in the current fiscal climate. They would also set a precedent that would risk discouraging companies and local authorities from making proper financial provision for the cost of site restoration and future environmental liabilities. – A CPS exemption would be an inefficient means of addressing the shortfall of land restoration, as the money would not go directly towards this aim and it would incur significant administration costs. – A CPS exemption would distort the market by making non-exempt coal less competitive, and by discouraging investment in low carbon power generation. I have written to the Scottish Government’s Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism informing him of this decision and I would be happy to consider any other options put forward.

November 2, 2022
Ranil Jayawardena – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ranil Jayawardena on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of mobile telephone operators in order to ensure that customers receive the service that they pay for and are properly compensated if they do not; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey

There are a number of coverage and quality measures that apply to communications providers; for example, spectrum licence conditions on mobile coverage and targets for Openreach on repair and installation times for fixed line and broadband services. Ofcom is working with the main broadband providers and mobile operators to ensure that appropriate redress is available to consumers when necessary, including when coverage and quality is unsatisfactory. Consumers can also seek redress on an individual basis, under the term implied into service contracts by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, that the service will be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Effective from 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes clear the rights of redress for consumers who do not receive a service that conforms to their contract; depending on circumstances, suitable remedies can include a price reduction, compensation or a right of exit.

November 2, 2022
Anna Turley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that domestic energy suppliers are passing on reductions in the wholesale prices of electricity and gas to consumers.

Andrea Leadsom

Strong competition in the energy supply market is the best way to keep prices down. The Government is committed to ensuring that the market works effectively for consumers, including through implementing the final recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority following their investigation. In the meantime we will continue our focus on keeping bills down through promoting competition, making switching quicker and easier, and providing direct help to the most vulnerable.

November 2, 2022
Sarah Champion – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Champion on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Egyptian government on the prosecution of Azza Soliman, a women’s right lawyer; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are aware of the case of Azza Soliman and concerned at the circumstances under which Ms Soliman became a defendant. We have raised Ms Soliman’s case with the Egyptian Ambassador in London, most recently on 23 April 2015. In September 2015, FCO officials held meetings in both London and Cairo with Ms Soliman, to discuss her case. We have also discussed this case with our partners in Cairo and have been represented at the trial hearings through the EU. We will continue to raise our concerns with Egyptian Government.

November 2, 2022
Guto Bebb – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Guto Bebb on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2015 to Question 8491, whether interim commissioning arrangements are being considered for nivolumab lung cancer.

George Freeman

NHS England is aware that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is reviewing the use of nivolumab in lung cancer, and is likely to report shortly. NHS England has therefore advised that it intends to await the NICE recommendation rather than develop interim arrangements.

November 2, 2022

Jonathan Edwards – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what capital expenditure there was on (a) Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall) and (b) Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre in each financial year from 2008-09 to date.

Mr Shailesh Vara

The capital expenditure for Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall) and Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre is provided below.

Financial Year	Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre	Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall)
2008-09	0	0
2009-10	0	£229,421
2010-11	0	0
2011-12	£60,000	0
2012-13	£291,771	£1,130,092
2013-14	£11,715	0
2014-15	0	0

This included essential maintenance and replacing equipment which had come to the end of its life, all of which were necessary for the court to function.

November 2, 2022

Paul Monaghan – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many vehicles were purchased through the Motability scheme for each full calendar month in tax years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16; what the cost to the public purse was of those vehicles; and what the cost to the public purse was of vehicles purchased to replace vehicles earlier withdrawn from claimants who lost mobility allowance but later won return of that allowance on appeal.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department does not routinely collect information on the numbers of people who have had to return a Motability vehicle nor on whether they were successful on appeal. This information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Motability is an independent registered charity. It is not sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Department works closely with Motability and facilitates the transfer of benefit to Motability on behalf of those claimants who have chosen to join the Motability Scheme. The Scheme purchases vehicles which are then leased to Scheme customers. The purchase of the vehicles is funded by the Scheme and there is no cost to the public purse.

Responsibility for the charity’s policies and operational strategy falls to the Governors and Director of Motability. Motability is wholly responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme including collating its own management information. Questions about the number of vehicles returned to Motability and number of vehicles purchased can be sent to: Declan O’Mahony, Director, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 5PX.

November 2, 2022
Margaret Greenwood – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Greenwood on 2015-09-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the financial stability of foundation trusts.

George Freeman

The Department and Monitor make continual assessments of the financial performance of foundation trusts via a risk assessment framework which includes monthly reports to Monitor.

Where necessary, interim financing may be provided. The Department will require the development and delivery of a recovery plan and trusts to sign up to a set of conditions aimed at delivering efficiencies.

This Government will invest an additional £10 billion the National Health Service said it needs: £2 billion this year and a commitment to meet the £8 billion identified by NHS England in the Five Year Forward View by 2020.

November 2, 2022