Tag: 2016

  • Baroness Randerson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Baroness Randerson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-03-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they intend to take to discourage the inappropriate use of lasers with potentially damaging consequences for pilots and air passengers.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The Government is exploring a number of options to address the threat from the misuse of laser pens. This is a matter we take very seriously, particularly in light of recent events that have been reported.

    There is specific legislation prohibiting the use of laser pens against aircraft. Under the Air Navigation Order (2009), it is an offence to direct or shine any light at any aircraft in flight so as to dazzle or distract the pilot of the aircraft. Anyone found guilty of this offence could be liable to a fine, up to a maximum of £2,500.

    It is also an offence to “recklessly or negligently act in a manner to endanger an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft”. Anyone found guilty of this offence could be liable to a fine, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both.

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, to what extent the Royal Navy plans to increase naval patrols in the Mediterranean to respond to the increase in attempted illegal crossings by migrants from North Africa.

    Penny Mordaunt

    We are encouraging the EU counter-migration mission, Operation SOPHIA, to increase its role in tackling irregular migration across the Central Mediterranean. Indeed, earlier this week the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed on the need to evaluate options for increasing SOPHIA’s impact on human trafficking networks. This may include broader security support to the legitimate Libyan authorities, for example through potential capacity building. The UK currently has HMS ENTERPRISE deployed in support of Operation SOPHIA, and although we have no immediate plans to increase naval patrols in the Mediterranean, we are keeping our contribution under review as the operation’s requirements change.

  • Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many former Child Support Agency (CSA) clients whose liability ended due to the CSA case closure process have been sent a notice of the validated child maintenance arrears balance in each month between January and March 2016.

    Priti Patel

    The table below shows the number of Arrears letters sent to the Parents with Care (PWC) as part of the case closure process in each month from January 2016 until March 2016.

    Month

    Jan-16

    Feb-16

    Mar-16

    Number of Arrears Letters sent to PWC

    13,110

    27,480

    20,830

    Notes

    1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10

    We have at our disposal a range of strong enforcement powers, intended to ensure as many parents as possible fulfil their financial responsibilities towards their children. We are using all of the powers available to us where it is appropriate to do so. These include deducting maintenance directly from earnings, deduction directly from bank accounts, instructing bailiffs to collect arrears or seize goods, forcing the sale of property, commitment to prison and disqualification from driving.

  • Gareth Johnson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Gareth Johnson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Johnson on 2016-07-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate her Department has made of the number of refugee children currently receiving an education in Syria; and what assessment she has made of the quality of that education provision.

    Rory Stewart

    The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) estimates that a total of 5.4 million Syrian children and youth (aged 5-17 years) inside Syria are in need of educational assistance. The UK works closely with UNICEF and other partners to protect access to education across the whole of Syria, improve safety in and around schools, and maintain the quality of teaching and learning as far as is possible in an active war-zone. However, it is not possible systematically to measure the quality of learning and teaching inside Syria in the way that the UK does in more stable countries. UK education assistance has supported around half a million children inside Syria.

    UK funding supports the provision of vital learning materials, remedial and alternative education for children who have lost months or years of schooling, and access to the official exams that enable children to secure higher education and jobs. UK support is also helping teachers to stay in the teacher workforce.

  • Tom Tugendhat – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tom Tugendhat – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Tugendhat on 2016-10-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2016 to Question 45646, how she will assess local needs and value for money to inform decisions on allocating the remaining funding from the £700 million uplift to flood defence and resilience measures.

    Dr Thérèse Coffey

    Local needs are assessed according to the probability of flooding in the area and the damages that could occur as a result of a flood. Investment options are assessed through an appraisal of the benefits and the costs of potential ways of reducing that risk.

  • Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-01-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the Shia in Bahrain accept the Al Khalifa government as the legitimate government of that country.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    Governance of Bahrain is a matter for all political parties in Bahrain. That is why we encourage all political parties, including Al Wefaq who boycotted elections in November 2014, to engage constructively in political dialogue in order to reach an inclusive political settlement. 14 out of 40 MPs are independent Shia who chose to stand and were elected in 2014 elections. 3 of these are women.

  • Lord Higgins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Higgins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Higgins on 2016-02-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about whether government documents are being issued by EU member states to those seeking asylum in countries in the Schengen area while they await a decision on their application for asylum.

    Lord Bates

    Under Article 6 of the Reception Conditions Directive 2013/13, EU member states are required to ensure that asylum applicants seeking international protection within their territory are provided with a document showing their status as an applicant or testifying that person is allowed to stay in the member state whilst the application is pending or being examined.

    The process for issuing such a document will vary from country to country.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-11.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of his proposals to abolish Class 2 National Insurance contributions on low-earning theatre actors and workers.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Chancellor announced at Budget that Class 2 National Insurance contributions will be abolished in April 2018. This will simplify the outdated and complex self-employed National Insurance system, giving self-employed NICs payers an annual tax cut of £134 on average. This will benefit 3.4 million self-employed people – including those who work in the theatre.

  • Henry Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Henry Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2016-04-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the level of need for therapeutic support for children following abuse or neglect referred to in her Department’s report, entitled Adoption: A vision for change, published in March 2016.

    Edward Timpson

    Over 5,200 families received support from the Adoption Support Fund during 2015-16. We estimate that around 6,000 families will be supported in 2016-17 rising to around 8,000 in 2017-18.

  • Lord Blencathra – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Blencathra – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Blencathra on 2016-05-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what warnings and advice they intend to give to the public about the incidence of treatment-resistant head lice in the UK.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    There are no plans to issue any specific warnings or advice around the incidence of treatment-resistant head lice. Guidance for the treatment of head lice is to wet comb using a head lice comb, as opposed to using insecticides.