The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in the Merseyside 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 Patrick Grady on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department’s policy priorities are for supporting projects in The Gambia.
Mr Nick Hurd
DFID does not have a bilateral aid programme in The Gambia. The decision to end our programme was agreed with the Government of Gambia in 2008, and our office closed in 2011. The decision was taken to wind down the programme gradually as part of a responsible exit, and to ensure partners built on successful DFID programmes.
The UK continues to maintain a good relationship with the Gambia. The UK supports The Gambia through its contributions to multilateral institutions, such the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the EU’s European Development Fund.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the Trident missile renewal programme on international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Michael Fallon
As set out in the 2006 White Paper "The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6994) the UK will participate in the US life extension programme for the Trident D5 missile which will extend the life of the missiles until the early 2040s. As a responsible nuclear weapons state and party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), we are committed to trying to achieve a world without nuclear weapons and we recognise our obligations under the NPT. I am entirely satisfied that this life extension programme is fully consistent with our NPT obligations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jack Dromey on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much of the Police Innovation Fund was allocated to police forces in financial years (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.
Mike Penning
The Police Innovation Fund 2014/15 allocated £53m to Police and Crime Commissioners (and their equivalents) in 2014/15 and 2015/16. The Police Innovation Fund 2015/16 allocated over £71m to Police and Crime Commissioners (and their equivalents) in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with other Government departments and in Cabinet Committees and sub-committees on the resilience and security of the UK’s electricity supply.
Andrea Leadsom
DECC regularly discusses the resilience and security of the UK’s electricity supply with the Governments Departments in committees and sub-Committees.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reasons references to UK objections to the death penalty were omitted from his Department’s policy paper, UN Human Rights Council: United Kingdom 2017-2019.
Mr David Lidington
Our UN pledges reflect our enduring commitment to promoting universal human rights which includes work to abolish the death penalty. The position of this Government is clear: We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and we continue to call on all states to abolish it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the solar industry in Scotland.
Andrea Leadsom
In addition to the impact assessment published alongside the FIT review, part of the purpose of the consultation process itself has been to gather views on the broader economic impact of the proposals. We are currently analysing feedback submitted during the consultation, which closed on 23rd October. We intend to publish a Government response in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sarah Wollaston on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that mental health services receive parity of esteem with physical health services in terms of funding.
Alistair Burt
NHS England required clinical commissioning groups in the annual planning guidance for 2015/16, to increase their spending on mental health in line with the increase in their overall funding allocation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerald Jones on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the objectives of the National Wildlife Crime Unit are beyond March 2016.
Rory Stewart
The day to day work of the National Wildlife Crime Unit is determined by the UK Wildlife Crime Tasking and Coordinating Group (led by senior government and enforcement officials). Work focuses on the UK wildlife crime priorities.
The Government has committed to providing funding to help secure the National Wildlife Crime Unit until at least the end of March next year. Decisions on funding beyond March will be made as part of the current Spending Review process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish the timetable for the proposed change of status of the Land Registry before a public consultation on that matter takes place; and if he will make a statement.
Anna Soubry
In the Spending Review Autumn Statement 2015 the Chancellor announced the Government’s intent to consult on options to move operations of the Land Registry into the private sector from 2017.
We intend to launch the consultation in the New Year setting out Government’s proposals. Final decisions on the options to be included in the consultation have not yet been made.
No decisions on the options will be taken until after the consultation, but, if Government chose to proceed we would look to then introduce any legislation required.