The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the membership is of the Cabinet committee for exiting the EU.
Ben Gummer
The full list of Cabinet Committees, including terms of reference and membership, will be published soon.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2015-12-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for pressing the government of the Central African Republic to delay the planned election until there is confidence that that election can be held safely and that all eligible voters will be on the electoral roll.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The British Government remains supportive of the elections planned for 27 December in the Central African Republic (CAR). This date has been agreed by the transitional government and the international community. Elections in CAR have already been delayed this year. Further delays would allow armed groups and spoilers to enhance their position and strengthen their rhetoric. There must be an end to the transition phase in order to secure a stable peace, and allow reconciliation to begin. By 16 November, when voter registration closed, approximately 95 per cent of the estimated electorate were registered, which is a significant success for the CAR transitional authorities. Out-of-country voter registration of Central African refugees and diaspora progressed more slowly, with approximately one third of the estimated refugee electorate registered. In the referendum on 13 December, judged a success by a UN Security Council assessment, many of CAR’s population turned out determined to vote. Through the international community, we will work to ensure that an elected president appoints an inclusive government representative of CAR’s population. Due to the commitment of the international community to the election date, agreement was found for some 300 extra UN troops to be provided to ensure security during the election period.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what forecast his Department has made of the budget of his Department’s consultation, entitled Infected blood: reform of financial and other support; and if he will make a statement.
Jane Ellison
As announced on 21 January 2016, the Department has identified £100 million from its budget for the Spending Review period for the proposals set out in the consultation. This is in addition to the current spend and the £25 million already announced in March 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what additional capacity for extra stations is planned for East Cardiff as a result of the electrification of the Great Western main line.
Claire Perry
There is currently no additional capacity for extra stations planned for East Cardiff within Network Rail’s current capital spending period (2014-2019).
However, I can confirm that the second round for the New Station Fund will begin in Spring 2016. The New Stations Fund is to provide funding for the construction of brand new or reopened stations that are promoted by third parties. £20 million will be available and local authorities who are interested are encouraged to submit bids for the funds.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2016-03-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from local authorities in England on prohibiting smoking on beaches; and if he will make a statement.
Jane Ellison
The Department has received no representations from local authorities on prohibiting smoking on beaches. The Government has no current plans to extend smokefree legislation to open public areas.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jenny Chapman on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress has been made on the provision of universal infant free school meals.
Mr Sam Gyimah
Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) have been a great success, with over 1.3m additional infants enjoying a nutritious, free meal at lunchtime and parents saving hundreds of pounds a year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Govia Thameslink Railway on extending Driver Only Operation; and what the outcome of those discussions was.
Claire Perry
Officials regularly meet with Govia Thameslink Railway. The proposals relating to train doors being operated by drivers have been part of those discussions. Any subsequent change to employee terms and conditions and the management of any such change(s) are a matter for the relevant employer and their employee(s) and/or employee representatives.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Fitzpatrick on 2016-07-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hand-held radar speed detectors are in use by police constabularies in England; and whether her Department has made an assessment of the merits of recruiting and training civilian volunteers to use such detectors.
Brandon Lewis
The Home Office does not hold this information centrally. The purchase and deployment of speed enforcement devices is a local operational matter for individual police forces. There has been no assessment made on the merits of recruiting and training civilian volunteers in the use of these devices. Decisions on how the public can assist the police in speed enforcement activity are matters for individual Chief Officers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-10-07.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax credit claimants whose claim was wrongfully stopped then reinstated have not had the full value of money returned; and what the total amount outstanding still owed is in such cases.
Jane Ellison
Where a tax credit award has been re-instated following a gap in payment, the claimant may receive the payment as a lump sum. This depends on the exact circumstances of the case, taking into account the revised entitlement compared to the monies already received. All future payments will also be adjusted to account for the revisions to the award. Provisions are in place to make arrears payments to customers suffering financial hardship.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Black of Brentwood on 2015-12-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion they have had with the governments of China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam about combatting the illegal tiger trade and tiger farming in those countries.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The UK Government remains committed to playing a leading international role in tackling the illegal wildlife trade (IWT), including in tigers, and working with our international partners to bring an end to this scourge.
Issues concerning illegal trade in tigers, their parts and derivatives are addressed through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). The UK is an active member of the CITES Working Group on tigers and issues discussed include illegal trade and captive tiger breeding. The Working Group has submitted a report of its work for consideration at the CITES Standing Committee meeting to be held in Geneva on 11–15 January 2016.
The UK has engaged with China, Laos and Vietnam on IWT through two high-level international Conferences on IWT, the first of which was hosted by the UK in London in February 2014 and which was attended by all three countries. China and Vietnam also attended the Kasane Conference on IWT in Botswana in March 2015, in which the UK played an active role. The UK will be providing support to Vietnam to host a third high-level international Conference on IWT, due to take place in late 2016, and will be encouraging Thailand’s participation. The UK’s diplomatic posts also engage with the relevant authorities in all three countries about how best to tackle IWT.
The Government has also committed £13 million to support projects around the world to tackle illegal wildlife trade by reducing demand, strengthening law enforcement and developing sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by IWT, primarily through Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. A second round of the Challenge Fund was launched on 5 August and successful applicants will be notified in early 2016.