The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Oates on 2015-11-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost to (1) small businesses, and (2) personal taxpayers, of HMRC’s delays in answering telephone enquiries in terms of lost productivity.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
HM Revenue and Customs has not made such an assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Holloway on 2015-12-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential arrangements for compensation required for people living in Thurrock and Dartford or Gravesend in the event of another river crossing being constructed at Dartford or to the east of Gravesend.
Andrew Jones
The route of the new Lower Thames crossing will be subject to public consultation early this year, and local people will be given their chance to express their views. Until the route is decided upon, it is too early to say what arrangements for compensation may be appropriate.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2015-11-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that potential breaches of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen are investigated.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We have raised concerns with the Saudi Government on alleged breaches of international humanitarian law and have received repeated assurances of compliance. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) discussed this with the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister during his visit to Riyadh on 28 October, and most recently in Vienna on 14 November.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2015-12-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions work programme providers referred participants for a sanction between (a) June 2011 and November 2015 and (b) August 2015 and November 2015.
Priti Patel
The specific information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Essex Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.
Greg Clark
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 6 November 2015, PQ 13946.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Worthington on 2015-12-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 4 November during the Report stage of the Energy Bill [HL] (HL Deb, col 1641), what progress has been made towards establishing a Parliamentary Advisory Group on carbon capture and storage.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We remain committed to establishing a Parliamentary Advisory Group on carbon capture and storage and met with Lord Oxburgh recently to discuss the group.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen McPartland on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many pupils are known to be (a) victims, (b) perpetrators of domestic assaults; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Rob Wilson
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-12-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of large-scale indoor dairies in the UK.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
I recognise that the issue of large-scale dairy farming has sparked considerable debate because of its perceived impact on the environment, the welfare of cows and the potential impact on small dairy farms.
The UK’s animal welfare and environmental standards are among the highest in the world. All operational livestock farms must comply with relevant UK law, including comprehensive animal health and welfare, and environmental legislation. These apply equally to all livestock farms, regardless of scale. So long as these standards are met, the Government recognises that the UK market has a place for different production methods that will collectively enable the industry to be competitive on UK, EU and global markets.
Increasing the size of herds does not mean reducing animal welfare. More important factors are the design and construction of the units; and the level of management and skill of the stockmen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to prevent animal crime in relation to the import and export of horses before the implementation of the Equine Identification Regulations.
George Eustice
Defra is taking a number of steps to simplify and strengthen existing rules for horses. These include implementation of new tighter EU legislation for equine identification, introduction of a new UK equine database recording horse identification information, and continuing to take an intelligence-led and risk based approach to enforcing the regulatory framework which relates to the domestic and international trade in horses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2015-12-16.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which minister is the lead minister in ensuring that departments comply with section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
Lord Bridges of Headley
Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act is a requirement of the Civil Service Code. It is for individual Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries to account for civil servants’ compliance with the Code.