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Tag: 2015

  • Lord Patten – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Patten – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2015-10-22.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of Turkey’s application to accede to the European Union, what assessment they have made of (1) freedom of the press and media, and (2) freedom of the judiciary, in that country.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    As part of their EU accession process, we encourage Turkey to continue to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, including the principles of freedom of expression, the separation of powers and an impartial judiciary. We welcome progress made thus far, and as the EU Commission has highlighted, further sustained work is needed to meet EU standards.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-10-22.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the authorities in Eritrea regarding the detention of Aster Fissehatsion.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    I refer the Noble Lord to my response of 24 June 2015 (HL533). We continue to press the Government of Eritrea to fulfil its international human rights obligations. The UK made clear in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 23 June that this must include the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including Aster Fissehasion.

  • Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the funds generated through the proposed apprenticeship levy which will be required for its administration costs.

    Nick Boles

    The Government is committed to fair and simple levy arrangements. We are working closely with Her Majesty’s Treasury and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on the design and implementation of the levy. Further detail will be set out alongside the Spending Review later in the autumn.

  • Craig Whittaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Craig Whittaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the UK economy of Greece leaving the Eurozone.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Greek government has been clear that they want to remain within the euro area. The Treasury continuously monitors global economic developments, including those in Greece, and their impact on the UK as part of the normal process of policy development.

  • Gareth Johnson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Gareth Johnson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Johnson on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many new homes were built in Dartford constituency in 2014.

    Brandon Lewis

    Statistics on house building starts and completions in England and in each local authority district, including Dartford, are published in the Department’s live tables 253 (annual) and 253a (quarterly), which are available at the following link:

    http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-house-building

    These statistics are not available by parliamentary constituency.

    The house building statistics exclude other sources of housing supply such as conversions.

    “

  • Kevan Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Kevan Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 57 of his Department’s Defence Equipment Plan 2015, what the reasons are for the decrease in planned spending on the combat air sector; and how that decrease will be achieved.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    I refer the hon. Member to the Defence Equipment Plan 2015, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-defence-equipment-plan-2015. Paragraph 11 explains the movements in the high level elements of the equipment plan from the previous financial year. Each of the operating centre breakdowns in Section C of the Equipment Plan contains an explanation of any increase or decrease in spending from the previous financial year.

    “

  • Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the Cypriot authorities about who has responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of refugees arriving at RAF Akrotiri.

    Penny Mordaunt

    Under the collaborative arrangements in place since 2003 between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) and the Republic of Cyprus officials are co-operating on the handling and processing of the migrants. Their claims will be heard by the Republic of Cyprus should they claim asylum. The SBAA remains responsible for their safety and well-being in the Dhekelia transit facility until they are passed over to a Republic of Cyprus reception facility. If they are granted asylum they will be free to live and apply for work permits in the Republic of Cyprus and have the same rights as if they landed directly into the Republic of Cyprus. The SBAA has the obligation to meet the costs incurred by the Republic of Cyprus in handling the claims and supporting the migrants whilst their cases are being heard and, if they are successful, for up to one year.

    If a migrant does not claim asylum, the SBAA as the territorial administration of this Overseas Territory remains responsible for their safety and wellbeing whilst detained pending deportation.

  • Sharon Hodgson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Sharon Hodgson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2015 to Question 11372, how many local authorities have used her Department’s eligibility checking system for free school meals.

    Mr Sam Gyimah

    The department’s records indicate that all English local authorities have used the eligibility checking system for free school meals.

  • 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, what information her Department holds on the administrative costs to consumers and businesses of regulations which govern household renewable energy systems and energy efficiency.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Estimates of the administrative costs of major household renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes are typically published in impact assessments accompanying individual scheme regulations. Examples for two of the largest major domestic energy efficiency and renewable energy regulations can be found at:

    • Energy efficiency: Energy Company Obligation (pp. 31-32):

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/373650/ECO_IA_with_SoS_e-sigf_v2.pdf. In scheme reporting on administrative costs is also available quarterly at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-deal-and-energy-company-obligation-eco-statistics

    • Renewable energy: Feed in Tariffs (p. 43):

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/458662/IA_for_FITs_consultation_August_2015_-_FINAL_docx__e-signature_included__v2.pdf)

    “

  • Hilary Benn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Hilary Benn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his most recent assessment is of the political situation in Zimbabwe.

    Mr Philip Hammond

    Since the 2013 elections, our assessment of the political situation in Zimbabwe remains broadly the same, with 2015 signalling some positive developments. Within the Zimbabwe African National Union administration there are signs of reformist policies beginning to emerge, especially on the economy. The human rights situation has remained relatively stable and reported violations continue to fall. However, the situation continues to be fragile and we remain concerned about human rights abuses, especially during election periods. Ahead of the 2018 elections, it is critical that electoral reforms are implemented, and that the international community supports the people of Zimbabwe in exercising their democratic right to build a free, peaceful and prosperous future.