Tag: 2016

  • Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer submitted to Question 21401, what new or changed policies her Department has implemented as a result of the evidence submitted.

    Andrea Leadsom

    We have not implemented new policies specifically as a result of the call for evidence on park homes. The evidence did support decisions made on the Warm Home Discount where this scheme year we have introduced a pilot scheme to allow eligible park home residents to apply for £140 to help with their energy bills.

  • 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 2016-02-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which British Transport Police sites have closed since May 2010.

    Claire Perry

    Since May 2010, there have been 9 operational closures of British Transport Police sites at the following locations:

    Debden

    Ealing Broadway

    Hastings

    Ipswich

    St Leonards

    Taunton

    Wood Green

    Watford

    Wednesbury

    The BTP has advised that the closure of these operational posts has not affected the policing capability or visibility at these locations. The majority of the offices closed were either very small satellite offices or in unsuitable locations where coverage is more cost-effectively provided from larger neighbouring stations.

    Additionally, two further sites have closed since May 2010 but they have been replaced by newer refurbished premises in the same vicinity.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of stricter regulations on the use of snares and traps.

    Rory Stewart

    Regulation of traps and snares balances the welfare needs of the trapped animal against the need for effective methods of killing or taking target species.

    With regard to snares, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chesterfield, Toby Perkins MP, on 11 February 2016, PQ UIN 25710.

    As for other kinds of trap, we already ensure all new spring traps are tested for humaneness before they are approved for use and the use of any trap is prohibited against certain species of European or national concern, for example the European otter and pine marten.

  • Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes to universal credit on families in Wales.

    Guto Bebb

    Universal Credit is transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged children and families in this country.

    This Government recognises that work is the best route out of poverty.

    Our welfare reforms have resulted in record numbers of Welsh people going out to work – strengthening families through financial security and improving the life chances of children throughout Wales.

  • Philip Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Philip Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-05-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the maximum sentence is a magistrate can hand down when dealing with the breach of the maximum number and length of suspended sentences after the commission of further offences where the maximum number and length of sentences are available for the new offences.

    Dominic Raab

    Magistrates’ courts have the power to impose a custodial sentence, whether immediate or suspended, of up to six months for a single offence, or up to 12 months where they impose consecutive sentences for one or more offences. A custodial sentence may be suspended for up to two years, and one or more community requirements may also be imposed by the court.

    When dealing with a breach of a suspended sentence order, there is a statutory presumption that the custodial sentence will be given effect. The suspended custodial sentence cannot be increased: the original term is given effect either in full, or the court may set a shorter period, for example, by taking into account the extent to which the offender complied with any community requirements of the suspended sentence order.

    Where there is a breach of a suspended sentence order which was imposed by the magistrates’ court and the breach is the commission of a further offence, the magistrates’ court deals with both the breach and sentencing for the further offence unless the latter merits a sentence which exceeds its powers. In these circumstance, the case would be sent to the Crown Court for sentencing of the further offence and the higher court would also deal with the breach of the suspended sentence order.

  • Virendra Sharma – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Virendra Sharma – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-06-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to contribute to the Government’s aim of reducing the regulatory burden on business by £10 billion in 2016-17; and if he will make a statement.

    George Freeman

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the Department’s other arm’s length bodies, is expected to contribute to the Department’s contribution to the Business Impact Target and the continued drive to reduce the burden of regulations. The MHRA has developed, in partnership with industry, a burden reduction plan to deliver proportionate regulation and minimise the regulatory burden on industry, while safeguarding public health. Industry partners have been asked to identify potential monetary savings from these actions. The Department will hold the MHRA to account for delivery against this plan.

  • Lord Pearson of Rannoch – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Pearson of Rannoch – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch on 2016-09-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord O’Neill of Gatley on 7 April (HL7296), whether alcohol can be sold or consumed on the premises of Richmond House, Wellington House and 22–26 Whitehall.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    There is no legal prohibition on consuming alcohol on the premises of Richmond House, Wellington House and 22–26 Whitehall. However, the residing departments do not have alcohol licences and cannot, therefore, sell alcohol on the premises.

  • Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-10-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to advertise the independence of Crimestoppers to encourage more people, particularly young people, to come forward with information on crime.

    Sarah Newton

    The Home Office has provided grant funding of £770,500k in this financial year to support the work of Crimestoppers to encourage the public to report information on crime.

    In addition, this year we are also working closely with Crimestoppers to support the re-development of their ‘Fearless’ campaign and website which is targeted at encouraging children and young people to report crime, including through work in schools to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of knife crime.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the (a) economic contribution of pollinator activity across the UK and (b) potential last economic value if pollinator populations continue to decline at present rates; and if she will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in our £100 billion food industry. In 2014, Defra published an independent review of the evidence on the status and value of pollinators[1]. The review estimated the total value of all pollinators through the value of insect-pollinated crops in the UK as approximately £600 million, updating estimates of around £400 million in previous Defra-funded research. It also concluded that there was insufficient data to calculate the ‘lost economic value’ of ongoing or likely future changes in pollinator populations.

    [1] http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&Completed=0&ProjectID=18916

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  • Owen Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Owen Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Smith on 2016-02-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what funding his Department has allocated to the Flexible Support Fund for each year of the present Parliament.

    Priti Patel

    The allocation for FSF for 2015/16 is £69.0m. The allocation for FSF for the rest of this parliament has not been agreed.