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Tag: 2015

  • Craig Whittaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Craig Whittaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

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

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will estimate the potential savings to local authorities of holding local council elections once every four years.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    On the assumptions that the cost of running local elections is £1.50 per elector and that all councils currently having elections more frequently than every 4 years were to move to whole council elections every fourth year, we estimate the savings across England over a four year period would be in the order of £50 million.

  • 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 11 of his Department’s Defence Equipment Plan 2015, what the reasons are for the decrease in unallocated headroom; 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 steps he is taking to prepare a deal with further refugees arriving by sea at RAF Akrotiri.

    Penny Mordaunt

    There is no evidence the migrants were intending to arrive in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA). The arrival was due to one of two boats having engine failure off the peninsula upon which RAF Akrotiri is located. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) has a protocol with the Republic of Cyprus to consider claims by asylum seekers arriving directly in the SBAs. If they do not claim asylum or their claim to asylum is rejected the SBAA will take steps to remove the migrants to their country of origin.

    The SBA Police Maritime unit is conducting increased patrolling of the waters within its jurisdiction, using enhanced navigational aids, including a 24-hour radar capability. The Cyprus Operational Battalion are providing additional manpower for base security. The Republic of Cyprus has indicated it has increased their maritime patrols in their adjacent territorial waters. Security is also supported by RAF Search and Rescue helicopters from 84 Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri.

    If a boat is in distress in SBA territorial waters the SBAA has a duty under international law to provide aid and assistance to protect lives.

  • Louise Haigh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Louise Haigh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2015-10-22.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of the number of (a) academies, (b) free schools and (c) maintained schools which do not include design and technology on the school curriculum.

    Nick Gibb

    The Department for Education does not hold information on the number of schools which do not include design and technology on the school curriculum.

  • 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.