Tag: 2016

  • David T. C. Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    David T. C. Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David T. C. Davies on 2016-10-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that people who have been subject to a deportation order are not eligible to claim benefits.

    Damian Hinds

    We receive regular returns from data-matching. These identify cases where benefit is in payment in respect of an individual that Home Office data suggests no longer has legal basis to remain in the UK.

    When we receive this information we review the case to establish the up-to-date position. Where the claimant appears to have no legitimate call on public funds we suspend benefit and write to the claimant telling them we will close their case unless they provide further information that establishes entitlement. If no such information is provided, we end their benefit claim.

  • Tim Loughton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Tim Loughton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-11.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

    Harriett Baldwin

    The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in the United Kingdom – so we can get a better deal for our country and secure our future. We are confident that the right agreement can be reached.

  • Lord Wigley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Lord Wigley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Wigley on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the respective responsibilities of the home nations’ tourism organisations following restructuring of VisitBritain, in particular regarding the attraction of overseas visitors to each of the four nations.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe

    Tourism is a devolved matter, so it is for each of the home nations to decide on the structure and activities of their national tourist boards.

    The Government has decided that the British Tourist Authority should continue to trade as VisitBritain and VisitEngland – with VisitBritain focussed on the promotion of Britain overseas, and VisitEngland focussed on the development of English tourism product. VisitEngland will do this through a new £40m Discover England fund.

    Funding for British tourism will now be ring-fenced and the Government is committed to setting challenging targets for VisitBritain to encourage more visitors to explore beyond London. We are actively engaging with the Scottish and Welsh Governments on these targets and operating principles.

  • Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-02-29.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many miles of public road in central London for which they are responsible are (1) completely closed, and (2) only partially open, to vehicles due to roadworks; on whose authority those roadworks are being conducted; what is the estimated total cost of those roadworks; and when they expect those roadworks to be completed.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The Government is not directly responsible for any roads in central London, and does not therefore hold this information. London’s roads fall into three main categories; the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN), known as red routes, which are managed by Transport for London (TfL); the Borough Principal Road Network (BPRN) managed by the individual London boroughs; and a small number of motorways forming part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) managed by Highways England. All of the above are subject to the London Permit Scheme (LoPS) which was brought in to minimise the disruption caused by roadworks and streetworks across London. Each borough and TfL have their own schemes, ensuring local control of conditions on local roads. The Transport for London Lane Rental Scheme (TLRS) also helps manage works on the TLRN at traffic-sensitive locations. A daily charge of £800 or £2500 per day is applied, depending upon the sensitivity of the location. This scheme has helped to reduce traffic disruption by changing the behaviour of utility companies and other contractors.

  • Christian Matheson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Christian Matheson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christian Matheson on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of upgrading the M56 to a smart motorway between junctions 12 and 14.

    Andrew Jones

    No work has been done to estimate the costs of upgrading the M56 to a smart motorway between Junctions 12 and 14 as this scheme is not within the first Road Investment Strategy (RIS). Highways England is working hard to deliver the schemes set out in the RIS in the first Road Period 2015-20.

    Future investment in the strategic road network is currently being developed through Highways England’s Route Strategies process, which will be used to plan new investments in the second Road Period 2020-25.

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-04-27.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will update guidance on the use of personal electronic communications to conduct official Government business to include the use of WhatsApp and other instant messaging services.

    Matthew Hancock

    All Government business must be conducted in line with the Ministerial Code, Civil Service Code, Special Adviser Code and HMG Security Policy Framework. Local records management and information security policies are in place across Departments.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-06-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether train operators are required in selecting new rolling stock to make an assessment of the effect of such selection on UK industry and the wider UK economy.

    Claire Perry

    Procurement and evaluation of rolling stock is a matter for the private operators, as it has been since privatisation. However, I note that there are now two rolling stock assembly plants in the UK, operated by Bombardier and Hitachi, and the Government welcomes the jobs and economic benefits that these plants bring.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent research her Department has undertaken on the link between neonicotinoids and bee populations.

    George Eustice

    Defra has supported a range of research relevant to improving understanding of the effects of neonicotinoids and other pesticides on bees. Recent work includes the studies: quantifying the exposure of bumblebees to neonicotinoids and mixtures of pesticides (commenced 2013); interpreting pesticide residues in honeybees (published 2015); using radio-frequency identification devices to assess effects of pesticides on foraging bees (commenced 2013); and protection goals for bee colonies (commenced 2015).

  • Tom Brake – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    Tom Brake – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-10-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has had discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on the implications for competition of the vertical integration of pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesalers; and if he will make a statement.

    Margot James

    I have had no discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on the implications for competition of the vertical integration of pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesalers.

  • Luciana Berger – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Prime Minister’s announcement of 11 January 2016, whether the £290 million of investment announced for perinatal mental health care is in addition to the (a) £1.25 billion investment for perinatal and children and young people’s mental health announced by the then Deputy Prime Minister in March 2015 and (b) £660 million investment for mental health announced in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015.

    Alistair Burt

    The £290 million announced by the Prime Minister for perinatal mental health is in addition to the £1.25 billion announced by the Deputy Prime Minister. It is funded from within the Department’s overall Spending Review Settlement.