The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Beecham on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in how many cases since July 2013 employment tribunal fees have been remitted, and at what cost to the public purse.
Lord Faulks
Since July 2013 and until the period of June 2015, around 11,000 cases have had fees remitted in employment tribunal cases at a total estimated cost of funding fee remissions of £4.9m. This information is published on the Government website.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-04.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed with the government of the United States the collection of UK citizens’ data through the PRISM programme, and if so, with what result.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
It is the long-standing policy of successive Governments not to comment in detail on matters of intelligence. This includes discussions with allies and liaison agencies.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Greaves on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 2 December (HL3987), for each of the last five years and this year so far, (1) how many children who are dependants of British citizens and persons who are living legally in the UK have made asylum claims to the French authorities; (2) how many of those have been accepted; and (3) of those, how many have subsequently been reunited with their parents or other responsible family members in the UK.
Lord Bates
The UK does not hold statistical information of the number of asylum applications made in France by dependent children of British citizens or persons living legally in the UK or how many of these applications have been accepted by the French. Statistics for transfers of asylum applicants from France to the UK on the basis of family ties are not routinely recorded.
We will consider any request made to us by the French asylum authorities to take responsibility for an asylum applicant in France because they have close family in the UK in accordance with the terms of the Dublin Regulation concerning the principle of family unity and the best interests of the child. This is subject to an applicant first claiming asylum in France. If they do not wish to claim asylum, individual migrants in France as in any other country, are entitled to apply under the Family Reunion provisions to join relatives in the UK by making the appropriate application.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the role of LPG autogas in helping to improve urban air quality.
Rory Stewart
While no formal assessment of the impact of LPG has been made by the Department, Defra officials met with representatives of the LPG industry during the consultation period for the draft UK Air Quality Plans.
Industry data shows that retrofitting older diesel cars and vans to run on LPG can reduce emissions of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and particulate matter whilst producing CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions between those of equivalent diesel and petrol engines. This solution was used by some drivers to enable them to enter the London Low Emission Zone without charge. Retrofitting to use LPG can also be a cheaper option for drivers than replacing their vehicle with a newer model.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officials within the Department for Transport they expect to be working as part of the team liaising with Network Rail in 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
A large number of staff within the Department for Transport’s Rail Executive liaise with Network Rail on a wide range of policy, delivery and operational issues – it is not possible to state an exact number as these staff also have other responsibilities. A team of seven officials currently handles issues specifically arising from Network Rail’s reclassification to the public sector in September 2014. Future resourcing will remain responsive to business needs and is not pre-planned over these years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department received from Action on Smoking and Health about its grant application for the 2015-16 financial year since receipt of that application.
Jane Ellison
It is normal practice for Departmental officials to discuss grant applications with the applicant. The application process is iterative to ensure the final objectives are in line with Departmental aims.
We have received additional information from Action on Smoking and Health about its grant application for the 2015-16 financial year since receipt of that application, as part of this process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Scriven on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Sheffield City Region Devolution Agreement that has been signed by the leaders and the mayor of four councils in South Yorkshire is final, and whether before signing the signatories were informed that the powers of the mayor for the Sheffield City Region set out in paragraph 4 could be further negotiated.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
All deals are agreed in principle, and are subject to the passage of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill and relevant secondary legislation. There is a clear understanding – stipulated in the deal document – that discussions will be on-going and that further powers may be devolved in the future, as has been the case with Greater Manchester.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of annual funding cycles on the ability of further education and sixth form colleges to undertake financial planning; what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on that matter; what plans the Government has to change those funding cycles to reflect Government spending review cycles; and if she will make a statement.
Mr Sam Gyimah
16-19 funding is that it is based on the level of recruitment institutions delivered in the previous year. That means institutions’ funding keeps pace with changing student numbers with the minimum delay. The Government has no plans to change the 16-19 funding system.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Sharp of Guildford on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the breakdown of the £172 million Learner Support budget of the Skills Funding Agency for 2015–16.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Learner Support budget is predominantly demand-led and meets the costs of Discretionary Learner Support for grant-funded learners and the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund for loan-funded learners. It also covers the government’s costs of the Professional and Career Development Loan scheme and Dance and Drama Awards for young adults.
The forecasted total expenditure for the 2015-16 financial year currently stands at around £132 million. Discretionary Learner Support assists the most learners and may equate to nearly £86 million, while the Bursary Fund may equate to about £35 million of the expenditure. The remainder will be for the costs of Professional and Career Development Loans (c£2.5 million) and Dance and Drama Awards (c£8.5 million).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the President of Egypt on that country’s protest and counter-terrorism laws.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) discussed a range of bilateral issues with President Sisi on 5 November, including our concerns about the application of laws regarding protests and counter-terrorism.