The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, for what reasons he decided to give evidence on the Wales Bill to the National Assembly for Wales’ Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee; and if he will give evidence to that committee.
Alun Cairns
The Committee Chair declined my offer to meet him to discuss the Wales Bill.
I am giving careful consideration to the report and the Committee’s recommendations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Kennedy on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will support the increase of infrastructure for onboard wifi along the West Coast rail line.
Claire Perry
We recognise intermittent internet access is a frustration felt by many rail passengers. I have met with Virgin Trains to discuss their ambitions to improve internet connectivity on both West Coast and East Coast main lines. I recognise that this is an important issue for West Coast passengers and that we need to find a solution where all passengers can benefit.
Free Wi-Fi is being introduced on all Department for Transport-controlled rail franchises in England and Wales. All train operators bidding for new franchises and direct award agreements will have to present a phased implementation plan for free Wi-Fi. The West Coast franchise is being tendered this year with the new contract commencing in 2018, which will include this obligation.
On-train Wi-Fi addresses some of the issues, however we recognise that there is more to do that will require enhancements to trackside infrastructure. That’s why we are working with the rail and telecommunications industries to reach a shared understanding of the technical and commercial challenges, and seek out potential solutions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which local authorities have contacted their local regional strategic migration partnerships to provide support for Syrian refugees.
Richard Harrington
We do not routinely disclose which local authorities participate in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.
Participation in this scheme is voluntary and it is often the case that local authorities do not wish to have their participation published. The relocation of refugees can be a sensitive issue for some local areas who have agreed to participate. It is a matter for each local authority to decide whether they want to publish the fact of their participation and the numbers of refugees they take.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-02-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which elements of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea government fund or participate in that country’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Mr Hugo Swire
This information can be obtained at the following web address: https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg840.aspx
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-03-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2016 to Question 29389, whether he has sought assurances that Saudi Arabia’s internal procedures for investigations are being used to investigate (a) attacks on the Médecins Sans Frontières hospitals and mobile clinic and (b) the airstrike on the Oxfam warehouse.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The results of the investigation into the October Médecins Sans Frontières incident were announced at a Saudi Arabian press conference on 31 January, as was the intention to investigate all allegations of concern. The UK has been using diplomatic and military channels to engage with Saudi Arabia on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) compliance. I have spoken to the Saudi Ambassador and the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has engaged with his counterpart on the importance of compliance with IHL.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Enhancements Delivery Plan Update, published in March 2016, page 138, whether Network Rail carried out an equality impact assessment of the proposal to reduce Access for All funding in Control Period 5 from £135 million to £87.1 million in 2012-13 prices.
Claire Perry
The Department will undertake an impact assessment as part of our analysis and response to the Hendy Report consultation. This response is due to be published over the summer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Smith on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the annual budget is for food produced for her Department’s offices; and what proportion of food produced for her Department was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.
Nick Gibb
The Department does not have an annual food budget. Catering services are provided via a contract with Interserve Plc, and is operated on a nil subsidy basis.
Annual spend is determined by the contractor and is informed by private sales to members of staff.
Approximately 60% of products across all food and drink categories were sourced from British producers as of March 2016. This proportion reflects that a large volume of food and drink sold includes non-indigenous products such as rice, tea and coffee.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what his policy is on transferring powers and functions currently held by the EU to devolved administrations once the UK exits the EU.
Mr David Jones
The Government is committed to working with the devolved administrations as we prepare for a new negotiation with the EU. We will engage fully with the devolved administrations, as well as Gibraltar, the Crown Dependencies, the other UK Overseas Territories and other key parties, in accordance with their various constitutional relationships with the UK, to ensure that all of their interests are taken properly into account.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the new National Funding Formula for schools will be introduced.
Nick Gibb
In July, the Secretary of State committed to introduce national funding formulae for schools and high needs from the financial year 2018-19. We will set out detailed proposals later in the autumn, and make decisions early next year, for the new system to be in place from April 2018.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Faulkner of Worcester on 2015-12-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that all Premier League clubs comply with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s Accessible Stadia guide by August 2017, and what steps they will take to monitor progress toward that goal.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Minister for Sport and her officials meet regularly with both the Premier League and the Football League and will ensure that the matter of accessible stadia and compliance with the Accessible Stadia Guide remain high on the agenda with both organisations.