Tag: 2015

  • Callum McCaig – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Callum McCaig – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will make an assessment of the potential effect of the Carbon Capture and Storage on achieving maximum economic recovery of oil and gas in the North Sea.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has the potential to play an important role in enabling the UK to decarbonise its energy system. The Wood Review recognised that offshore storage of carbon dioxide could potentially benefit the UK continental shelf, and called for continued collaboration between industry, academia and DECC as the most appropriate means to realise the opportunity.

    With the UK continental shelf now being one of the more mature offshore basins in the world, the Wood Review identified a range of key issues which the Government and industry must jointly address to deliver maximum economic recovery (MER) of UK petroleum, stressing the importance of a focused regulator. In accordance with the recommendations of the Wood Review, the Government is working to establish the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), as a body with the objective of delivering MER.

    The Government has taken steps to set up the OGA quickly in accordance with the recommendations of the Wood Review, which continues to attract strong industry support. In addition to its role as licencing authority for offshore carbon dioxide storage, the OGA is developing the Sector Strategies called for by the Wood Review. In developing the Technology and Decommissioning Sector Strategies, the OGA is considering the potential for offshore storage of carbon dioxide to help achieve MER.

    Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques that utilise carbon dioxide may also have a role in increasing hydrocarbon recovery in future. In its Technology Sector Strategy, the OGA will consider the potential contribution that the various EOR technologies, including carbon dioxide EOR, could make towards MER.

    The OGA’s key actions are already providing crucial support to the oil and gas industry. Without this, we risk premature decommissioning of the UK continental shelf, loss of stranded assets and loss of the key infrastructure and skills – including those which could ultimately promote the longevity of the industry through carbon dioxide storage projects. This underlines the importance of the OGA focusing upon maximising economic recovery and constructively engaging with the CCS industry.

  • Dan Jarvis – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Dan Jarvis – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterpart and other relevant stakeholders to ensure there is no further delay in the establishment of the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism designed to increase the flow of commercial goods into Yemen.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    The UK has been in regular contact with the Government of Yemen, members of the Saudi Arabian-led Coalition, and the UN on the importance of ensuring access for commercial and humanitarian goods to reach those most in need. I chaired a meeting of countries at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during which we called for all sides to facilitate access for humanitarian aid and commercial goods, including fuel for civilian use, through all of Yemen’s ports. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) met his counterpart, Adel Al Jubeir, during his visit to Saudi Arabia on 28 October where they discussed humanitarian and commercial access in Yemen. There has been some recent progress on shipping access, which we welcome, but this needs to be maintained and increased in the future. The UK supports the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) which is now being established to address commercial shipping needs and we urge for this to be implemented as soon as possible. We will continue to raise this issue for as long as it is necessary.

  • Alan Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Alan Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Campbell on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much is paid to the About Health Group for each patient referred by practices in the North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group under the General Practitioners’ Referral Management System.

    Ben Gummer

    NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has introduced a formal referral management system across a small number of clinical specialties. This is a local initiative and not part of a wider scheme. The data requested are not collected centrally. This is a matter for the North Tyneside CCG who can advise on data availability.

  • John Pugh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    John Pugh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Pugh on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the number of police in different forces who are suspended or not on active duty as a result of investigations or complaint procedures.

    Mike Penning

    The Home Office does not hold data on the number of police within different forces who are suspended or are not on active duty as a result of investigation or complaint procedure.

    From 2015/16, forces will be asked to provide returns that will include data on officer misconduct and whistle-blowing. This collection will include the number of recorded allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct; outcomes of disciplinary proceedings arising from those allegations; and the number of criminal investigations against those serving with the police. The Home Office intends to publish these data in due course once they are available.

  • Julian Sturdy – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Julian Sturdy – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to assist Christian refugees in Syria who are being persecuted.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    The Government have been clear in condemning the horrific attacks on religious communities by violent extremists including ISIL. All UK funded assistance is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity. We prioritise reaching the most vulnerable people across Syria, including Christians and those who have suffered from such violence. DFID continues to work with the UN and the international community to ensure all minorities’ rights are protected and our aid reaches those in greatest need.

  • David Anderson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    David Anderson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to the letter from the Leader of Gateshead Council of 25 June 2015 on upgrading the A1 between the Birtley and Coal House interchanges.

    Andrew Jones

    A reply was sent on 22 July 2015.

  • Nigel Evans – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Nigel Evans – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what sanctions the HSE can place on companies breaching gas safety.

    Justin Tomlinson

    Sanctions that can be put in place by HSE range from verbal and written advice, improvement notices which require companies to take specified measures to achieve compliance and prohibition notices that stop companies from carrying out specified activities. Ultimately there is prosecution where unlimited fines are available in the Courts. (13083)

  • Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale on 2015-10-21.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent they take into account development goals when negotiating taxation treaties with developing countries, and what role the Department for International Development has in those negotiations.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have responsibility for negotiating the UK’s double taxation agreements, subject to oversight by HM Treasury. HMRC run an annual consultation exercise to establish the negotiating priorities for the coming year, which are then approved by ministers. As part of this exercise they consider representations made by UK businesses, NGOs and government departments, including the Department for International Development, as well as the UK’s diplomatic missions throughout the world. When the programme is published it also invites representations about our forward programme.

    HMRC’s programme for 2015/16 covers the following countries: Colombia, Fiji*, Ghana, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Jersey, Kazakhstan*, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho*, Malawi*, Portugal*, Russia, Thailand*, Turkmenistan*, UAE*, US, Uruguay*.

    The UK’s starting point in negotiations is based closely on the OECD Model Double Taxation Convention, which is also the basis for most other countries’ tax treaties. Some developing countries prefer to follow the UN Model, the provisions of which differ in some areas to the OECD Model, and the UK has agreed to adopt these provisions in its treaties. The object of the negotiations is to produce a text acceptable to both countries, balancing their preferences. There is no timetable for how long negotiations should take. It is quite normal for negotiations to take two to three rounds to complete.

    Consultation during the negotiations would be rare.

    *Negotiations largely completed.

  • Lord Storey – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Storey – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Storey on 2015-10-21.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on the Law Commission review of taxi and private hire cars, and rickshaws.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The Law Commission has proposed extensive reform to the legislation around taxi and private regulation which requires careful consideration before recommending a way forward. We will share this the outcome of this consideration once it is completed.

  • Lord Lucas – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Lucas – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lucas on 2015-10-21.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ask general practitioners who prescribe antifungals to patients with Alzheimer’s disease to notify the National Health Service of the results of that treatment, in the light of the article published online by Nature on 15 October regarding the infection of different brain regions with fungi in Alzheimer’s.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    The use of antifungal medication is not licensed for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Consequently there would be no requirement for systematic monitoring of the use of these drugs.