The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jess Phillips on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total net budget of Ofsted was in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.
Nick Gibb
These are matters for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw. I have asked him to write to you and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House libraries.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government plans to make to the international community on the alleged chemical weapons attacks in Dafur.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We are concerned by the allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Sudan and we are aware that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is looking into these. The use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere is contrary to international law and must be wholly condemned. We were also concerned to read the other allegations made in the Amnesty report, which highlight the need for access to conflict-affected areas. Ensuring access for UNAMID throughout Darfur is a crucial next step. We have made this clear in the UN Security Council, and have also raised this in the context of the report directly with the Government of Sudan in London, Khartoum and New York.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times (a) Brimstone missiles, (b) Hellfire missiles and (c) Paveway IV guided bombs have been deployed against targets in (i) Iraq since September 2014 and (ii) Syria since December 2015.
Penny Mordaunt
The number of weapons fired by each weapon type in each country during the period requested up to 24 January 2016 is shown below:
RAF Weapon Usage on Op SHADER in Iraq and Syria
|
Weapon Type |
Number of weapons fired at targets in Iraq From September 2014 |
Number of weapons fired at targets in Syria From 2 December 2015 |
|
Hellfire |
311 |
7 |
|
Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone |
117 |
9 |
|
Paveway IV |
540 |
34 |
The Ministry of Defence provides a regular update on airstrikes at http//www.gov.uk/government/news/update-air-strikes-in-Iraq
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the apprenticeship levy on the charity and voluntary sectors.
Nick Boles
A key part of the Government’s commitment of 3 million apprenticeships starts in England by 2020 is to ensure that quality apprenticeships are available at all levels and in all sectors. This will give people the widest opportunity to participate in high quality programmes to improve their skills and give employers, including charities and voluntary organisations, the skilled workforce they need to grow and improve productivity.
The apprenticeships levy will only be paid by those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million. This is 2% of all employers. We will continue to engage with charity and voluntary sectors in the development and implementation of the apprenticeship levy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Deech on 2016-03-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran following the announcement by the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon that Iran will pay $7,000 to the families of suicide bombers and other terrorists who die in the process of attacking any Israeli.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We raised the issue of payments to families of suicide bombers with the Iranian government, and are seeking clarification over the reported remarks about providing funds to the families of suicide bombers. We condemn any support for groups which pursue an ideology of violence that directly undermines the prospects for peace in the region.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-04-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that terrorists cannot get into the UK from the Republic of Ireland.
James Brokenshire
The Government is working with Ireland to better safeguard our citizens from international terrorism by strengthening the external border of our shared Common Travel Area (CTA).
There is a high level of collaboration on a joint programme of work which includes, investment in border procedures, increased data sharing to inform immigration and border security decisions, interoperable passenger data systems, including the collection and processing of Advance Passenger Information (API) on intra and extra CTA routes, and harmonised visa policy and processes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-05-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the aerial bombing of the Heiban locality in the South Khordofan and Blue Nile regions on 1 May, what representations they have made to the government of Sudan about reducing conflict and bringing about a ceasefire.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The reported aerial bombardment of civilians in the Heiban locality of South Kordofan is appalling. Targeting of civilians would be a clear breach of International Humanitarian Law. We continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan that they have a responsibility to protect citizens, distinguish between combatants and non-combatants and uphold International Humanitarian Law.
We consistently raise the importance of ending the conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile directly with both the Government of Sudan and the Opposition; most recently, the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan raised this issue during his visit to Khartoum earlier this month. We continue to call on all sides to end the violence and believe that the Roadmap proposed by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel represents a viable way forward.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the security situation in Juba, South Sudan, on UN operations in that region.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The recent deterioration in the security situation in South Sudan has made UN operations – including protecting civilians and facilitating the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance – more difficult. In the UN Security Council on 13 July, we urged the Council and regional countries to unite in demanding the South Sudanese authorities allow UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan to have freedom of movement and all the equipment it needs in country.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Pugh on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, approximately how many (a) British and (b) non-British nationals are employed cleaning the Westminster estate of his Department.
David Mowat
The Department uses an outsourced provider for cleaning services. The provider employs one British and 11 non-British nationals to clean the Westminster estate of the Department.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.75 of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, whether his Department has recruited an experienced, commercial specialist to lead the new nuclear enterprise sponsor team.
Mr Philip Dunne
Options for the new team continue to be developed and assessed. We expect to announce further details later this year once decisions have been made.