The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to launch the Government’s proposed consultation on changing the law to allow learner drivers to drive on motorways with instructors.
Andrew Jones
The Government expects to launch a consultation on proposals to allow learner drivers to drive on motorways, with an approved driving instructor in a car that has dual controls, later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2016-07-06.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential annual cost to the Exchequer of a reduction in corporation tax to (a) 15 (b) 14 and (c) 10 per cent.
Mr David Gauke
The corporation tax reductions since 2010 have been designed to increase the competitiveness of the UK business tax system and to support investment and jobs in the UK. Their positive effect has been evidenced by strong growth in GDP, employment, and business investment since 2010.
The Chancellor has now set out his ambition to reduce the corporation tax rate further, to 15% or below, to reinforce this strategy and send a clear message that the UK is open for business.
However, since 2010-11, onshore corporation tax receipts have increased almost 20%, despite lowering the rate from 28% to 20%.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-09-15.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much money they have allocated this financial year towards peace-building and reconciliation initiatives and towards the restoration of plurality and diversity in Iraq and post-war Syria; and how much has been allocated for each of the next five years.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
For the 2016/17 financial year the UK Government allocated £3.7 million from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) towards promoting reconciliation in Iraq. These funds contribute to addressing the long-term factors that led to Daesh’s rise. In Iraq the funding supports efforts to encourage political reform and reconciliation through the passage and implementation of legislation, building the capacity of decision makers to craft a strategic vision for reconciliation, and creating a space for dialogue between the government and all of Iraq’s communities. In Syria, we have committed over £7 million from the CSSF for the 2016/17 financial year towards the promotion of reconciliation, specifically in supporting local councils, moderate voices and civil society groups who work to increase community engagement in local conflicts. We are also supporting Track II political dialogue and peace building work, through education, interfaith coexistence and reconciliation training.
For financial year 2017/18, and subsequent years, the final allocation of funding for promoting reconciliation in both Iraq and Syria is yet to be decided. However, this will remain a critical area for our programme funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-01-21.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will remove plant and machinery from business rate calculations.
Mr David Gauke
The Government is considering the treatment of plant and machinery as part of the business rates review in England. The review will be fiscally neutral and will report at Budget 2016. Business rates are devolved in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he has had discussions with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the sale of Czech war planes to Iraq.
Mr David Cameron
I met the Czech Prime Minister in Prague on 22 January. We discussed reforming the UK’s relationship with the EU, the migration crisis, the international Syria donors conference, Syria and our shared fight against Daesh, and the sale of second-hand Czech Airforce aircraft to Iraq. I confirmed the UK was content for the sale of the Czech aircraft to proceed and welcomed the contribution this, and the Czechs, are making to the Coalition effort against Daesh.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass on 2016-03-07.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to revise their position on the Cyprus peace talks in the light of the negotiations by President Anastasiades with President el-Sisi on strategic military co-operation, with President Putin on similar issues, and with Prime Minister Netanyahu on oil exploration.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
It is for the Republic of Cyprus to decide on its external relations. Given the threats facing the Eastern Mediterranean, the need for improved co-operation across the whole region remains crucial. A Cyprus settlement would provide an important boost for regional stability. The UK commends President Anastasides and Mr Akinci for their positive leadership in the Cyprus settlement talks. As the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), made clear during his visits to Cyprus last year, the UK will continue to do whatever we can to support the efforts of both communities, and their leaders, to seize the historic opportunity that exists to reunite Cyprus.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2016-04-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will meet office bearers of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary Police Federation to discuss retirement age.
Andrea Leadsom
Yes. I will meet with the office bearers of the Civil Nuclear Police Federation and will be writing to them to this effect.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the overall financial value is of rolling stock orders placed by franchised operators since May 2010; and what the overall financial value is of such orders for rolling stock to be manufactured or assembled in the UK.
Claire Perry
The value of contracts are a commercial matter between the operator and the rolling stock owner. However, private investment in new and refurbished rolling stock since 1994 is in excess of £7.5 billion pounds.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-07-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2016 to Question 40823, at how many academies did each regional school commissioner take formal intervention measures in 2015.
Edward Timpson
In the calendar year 2015, regional school commissioners took formal action in 115 academies; 72 academies were moved to a different sponsor and 43 academies were issued with a formal notice.
The table below shows the number of interventions in each RSC region:
|
East Midlands & Humber |
23 |
|
Lancashire & West Yorkshire |
9 |
|
North |
3 |
|
North East London & East |
22 |
|
North West London & South Central |
12 |
|
South London & South East |
12 |
|
South West |
23 |
|
West Midlands |
11 |
|
Total |
115 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Storey on 2016-09-15.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who the current trade envoys are, what the total cost of their provision is, and whether they will produce a report on their work.
Lord Price
The current trade envoys are:
|
Trade Envoy |
Market(s) |
|
Adam Afriyie MP |
Ghana |
|
Rushanara Ali MP |
Bangladesh |
|
Richard Benyon MP |
Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique |
|
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP |
Egypt |
|
Richard Graham MP |
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, ASEAN Economic Community |
|
John Howell MP |
Nigeria |
|
Andrew Murrison MP |
Morocco, Tunisia |
|
Mark Prisk MP |
Nordic and Baltic Countries, Brazil |
|
Lord Hollick of Notting Hill |
Tanzania, Kenya |
|
Rt Hon. Baroness Northover |
Angola |
|
Lord Popat of Harrow |
Uganda, Rwanda |
|
Lord Risby of Haverhill |
Algeria |
|
Rt Hon. Lord Astor of Hever DL |
Kazakhstan, Oman |
|
Rt Hon. Lord Lamont of Lerwick |
Iran |
|
Rt Hon. Lord King of Bridgwater |
Saudi Arabia |
|
Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne |
Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan |
|
Rt Hon. Lord Janvrin |
Turkey |
|
Baroness Morris of Bolton |
Jordan, Kuwait, Palestinian Territories |
|
Lord Faulkner of Worcester |
Taiwan |
|
Lord Puttnam of Queensgate |
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia |
|
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury |
Mexico |
The 2016/17 budget for the Trade Envoy Programme is £333,936.
Trade Envoys, and Posts, report on market visits and UK engagements to identify actions and outcomes on an ongoing basis.