Tag: 2015

  • Hilary Benn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Hilary Benn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2015-10-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 12 October 2015 to Question 11278, who is responsible for restrictions on commercial and humanitarian shipping to Yemen.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    A number of parties are responsible for the conflict in Yemen which has led to the restrictions on commercial and humanitarian shipping to Yemen. At President Hadi’s request, Saudi-led Coalition airstrikes began in March 2015 following a rebellion against President Hadi and the Government of Yemen by the Houthi’s and forces loyal to former president Saleh. Intense fighting and insecurity on the ground has resulted in restrictions being placed on commercial and humanitarian shipping, and it is proving difficult to distribute food and fuel to those who need it making the humanitarian situation even worse.

    The most important action to address the humanitarian situation, beyond a ceasefire, is to open up access for commercial and humanitarian goods to reach those most in need. All parties to the conflict should take all reasonable steps to allow and facilitate humanitarian access, to facilitate immediate access to life-saving supplies both into and within Yemen. The Secretary of State for International Development recently reinforced this message at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

    The UK also supports the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, UNVIM, which is now being established to address commercial shipping needs. It involves setting up an internationally-staffed maritime verification centre to replace the existing informal Coalition mechanism. To be effective, all commercial cargo should be within the scope of UNVIM – including fuel.

  • Hilary Benn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    Hilary Benn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2015-10-16.

    To ask the Leader of the House, whether he has had discussions with the Chairs of the Business, Innovation and Skills, International Development, Foreign Affairs and Defence select committees on their re-establishment of the Committees on Arms Export Controls.

    Chris Grayling

    No. The re-establishment of the Committees on Arms Export Controls (CAEC) is a matter for the relevant committees under Standing Order No. 137, which allows for the concurrent meeting of any select committee with another for the purpose of deliberating or taking evidence.

  • Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-10-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason his Department’s guidance on accessible communication formats published on 14 August 2014 does not include email as an accessible format; and what consultation his Department had with disability groups before producing that guidance.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The guidance referred to was published before 2010 and moved from the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) website to GOV.UK last August. It was written for government communicators on how to make effective use of accessible communications formats. It was not about specific means of communication, e.g. email, letters etc. This document is due to be reviewed and updated.

    Stakeholders groups were involved when the document was originally produced, and will be invited to be part of the review process.

  • Philip Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Philip Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the grant application received from Action on Smoking and Health in May 2011 and (b) the revised grant application received from that organisation in June 2011.

    Jane Ellison

    The 2011/12 Grant Award letter to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) set out the agreed objectives for the grant. The 2011/12 Grant Award letter has already been placed in the Library. Earlier drafts of applications for grant funding and additional supporting material are not published.

    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. A record of these discussions in 2011 is not available.

  • Tim Farron – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Tim Farron – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to protect the security and privacy of citizens’ online activity.

    Mr John Hayes

    The public and Parliament deserve legislation that provides adequate protection for both their privacy and their security. That is why the Government intends to publish a Bill in the Autumn for pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of Parliament, responding to the recommendations of three independent reviews in this area: those conducted by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, the Royal United Services Institute, and the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, David Anderson QC.

  • Tim Farron – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Tim Farron – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities uphold the Military Covenant.

    Mark Lancaster

    For information on this Department’s engagement with Local Authorities on the Armed Forces Covenant I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September 2015 to Question 8395 to the hon. Member for Northampton South (Mr Mackintosh).

    http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-09-04/8395/

    In addition, since I provided that answer I have also met with the Chairman of the Local Government Association and with the Minister for Housing and Planning at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). We are collectively planning to review the work undertaken by Local Authorities to deliver the Covenant and expect to complete this by March 2016. This will help to further identify best practice and where to target future work.

    The Minister for Housing and Planning will write to all Local Authorities setting out examples of best practice and reminding them of the need to honour their commitments under the Covenant. I will also address a conference of Local Authority Community Covenant Champions in London on 4 November 2015. I hope that members’ Local Authority Armed Forces Covenant champions will be there.

  • Neil Coyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Neil Coyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research licences are under consideration by her Department relating to medicinal benefits of cannabinoids.

    Mike Penning

    The Home Office issues controlled drug licences to those who wish to possess, supply, produce or manufacture controlled drugs. Licences are not issued for individual pieces of research. Licences are not ordinarily granted for individual substances but schedules of substances.

  • Bill Esterson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Bill Esterson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bill Esterson on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what financial and other assistance his Department is giving to suppliers of SSI in Redcar.

    Anna Soubry

    The Government has announced a support package, worth up to £80m, to support workers affected by SSI’s closure and invest in the future of the Tees Valley economy. This will include support for local businesses and the supply chain working closely with the Government appointed local taskforce on how best to target money and resources.

    In addition, HMRC has a track record of helping individuals and business which are experiencing a genuine short term difficulty in paying their tax liabilities. Where appropriate HMRC will agree a payment arrangement to allow the customer some breathing space to get their tax affairs back up to date. Details are available on the websiteProblems Payingor affected customers should ring theBusiness Payment Support Service (BPSS) on0300 200 3835.

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  • Ben Howlett – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Ben Howlett – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2015-10-15.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Summer Budget 2015 has an equal impact on men and women.

    Damian Hinds

    In line with both the Government’s commitment to fairness and its legal obligations, ministers carefully considered the policy implications for men and women when developing and deciding upon Summer Budget measures.

    As with other public sector bodies, HM Treasury is required (under the Equality Act 2010) to pay due regard, in the course of fulfilling its functions, to the implications of its decisions for those with specified ‘protected characteristics’. ‘Sex’ is one of these protected characteristics.

  • Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Laurence Robertson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2015-10-15.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with charities on respondents being required to tick boxes if they do wish to receive further communications; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Rob Wilson

    Government is supporting all of therecommendations of the recent review by Sir Stuart Etherington following the high profile cases of poor charity fundraising practice earlier this year. In line with the review charities should have clear consent to contact donors andcurrent reliance on ‘opt out’ boxes hidden in the small print is not acceptable.