Tag: Andrew Rosindell

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to improve trade relations with Commonwealth countries.

Anna Soubry

Her Majesty’s Government is represented across the Commonwealth and, as one of its priorities, is committed to helping UK business succeed overseas. UK Trade and Investment itself is represented in around half of all Commonwealth countries. There is therefore a range of services that business can benefit from, dependent on the scale of the opportunities in each country.

A strong Commonwealth, with enhanced economic prospects for all Commonwealth members, is good for UK business. My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Maude of Horsham, said in a debate in the other place on 11 November, “We underestimate the strength of the Commonwealth as a network for business.” My noble Friend is scheduled to attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Business Forum at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This will provide an opportunity to discuss how to develop further our trade relationship with Commonwealth markets.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will urge his Australian counterparts, on the grounds of the right to democratic self determination, to return Norfolk Island to its previous system of self-government.

Mr Hugo Swire

Governance of Norfolk Island is a matter for Australia, in consultation with Norfolk Islanders. I am confident that Australia’s respect for democratic self-determination is undimmed: before introducing recent reforms, it ran a full consultation process, which included a number of public hearings with Islanders, and have committed to retaining a local regional council with responsibility for local services and with powers to legislate on local issues.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-02.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the status of the City of London as a world financial centre is explicitly protected during the renegotiations on the UK’s membership of the EU.

Mr David Gauke

As part of the European reform agenda the Government is negotiating ensure competitiveness is embedded in the DNA of the EU, so that the UK financial sector can continue to thrive as the global centre of European finance. The Government is also negotiating to ensure that the UK remains able to effectively safeguard the stability and integrity of the UK’s financial system. This means ensuring that UK regulators have responsibility for financial stability and supervision in the UK.

The City of London does not, however, get special treatment in the Government’s reform agenda. A special protection for the UK financial sector would not be in the interests of the single market in financial services, from which the UK benefits. Instead, we are demanding that the single market works in the interest of all 28 Member States.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if her Department will take steps to (a) develop a comprehensive and detailed plans for the development of Montserrat and (b) encourage young Montserratians in the UK to return to Montserrat and assist with economic growth.

Mr Desmond Swayne

DFID is working jointly with the Government of Montserrat and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to establish a joint vision for Montserrat. This includes encouraging all Montserratians, home and abroad, to participate in the future of the island.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Written Statement of 23 February 2015, HCW5292, if he will extend the anti-sock puppet clause to cover the issuing of grants and contracts made by local authorities in respect to the activities of third parties.

Mr Marcus Jones

It is for local authorities to decide how to disburse their funds, and what if any conditions to attach to any grants or contributions they make available, in accordance with the functions Parliament has given them and their duties to secure value for money in the use of taxpayers’ money.

Local authorities are accountable to their electorate, including for their use of taxpayers’ money and any member of the public with a concern about the way in which a local authority is using public money should take the matter up with the local authority directly, or contact the local authority’s independent auditor.

We will keep these matters under review and are open to representations on this issue.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what airstrikes have been conducted by the Royal Air Force against Daesh in the last three weeks.

Penny Mordaunt

The Royal Air Force has conducted 74 airstrikes against Daesh targets in Iraq and Syria between 16 December 2015 and 6 January 2016. Further details of the RAF’s airstrikes against Daesh can be found on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/update-air-strikes-in-iraq

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the distinction is between the Sovereign’s formal and informal permission in his Department’s rules and regulations on the use, style and designation in the UK accorded to British and dual nationals of Commonwealth realms who are recipients of a titular knighthood or titles of honour in any of those realms; and whether UK dual nationals residing in or visiting the UK may continue to use such titles as a courtesy title.

James Duddridge

The recognition of foreign honours is a matter for the Royal Prerogative and is governed by convention. My Department does not set rules or regulations for these matters. The Sovereign does not give permission for the formal use of the title “Sir” in the United Kingdom; only those British nationals, including dual nationals, awarded British knighthoods may use the title “Sir” in a formal context in the United Kingdom. The Sovereign acts with the advice of the Government. In giving advice or administering any relevant aspects of these matters, the Government follows the relevant convention. Nationals of all the Realms, awarded a British knighthood, are entitled to use the title “Sir” in the United Kingdom. The titles of Realm nationals, who are not British, and have been awarded a knighthood by their own country, are recognised in the United Kingdom as an official courtesy. Titles associated with awards to dual British nationals are not recognised as an official courtesy in the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the views of Britain’s Overseas Territories are represented during his renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with Europe.

Mr David Lidington

I outlined the Government’s objectives for reform of the European Union at the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in December 2015. Representatives of the Overseas Territories met on two occasions last year with officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss the renegotiation agenda. The JMC Communiqué acknowledges the interests of the Territories in the forthcoming referendum and recognises the strength and importance of the relationship between the Territories and the EU. It also confirms that we will continue to consult the Territories in order for their views on reform to be taken into account. Gibraltar has particular interest, being a European territory, and Gibraltarians will vote in the referendum. I have held discussions with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, most recently on 2 February, and officials have been in regular contact. The Government of Gibraltar shares this Government’s aim of the UK and Gibraltar remaining part of a reformed EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with democratic opposition parties in Iran; and what his Department’s policy is on working with opposition parties to achieve greater political stability in that region.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

I have had no recent discussions with opposition parties in Iran. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works across the region with a range of stakeholders in support of regional security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the agreement reached at the February European Council is not amended by the European Parliament after the date of the EU referendum.

Mr David Lidington

The central element of the agreement is an International Law Decision agreed by the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the EU and is a binding international treaty. The European Commission has committed to bring forward new legislation where it is needed to implement the UK’s new settlement. These European Commission proposals will be subject to the normal legislative procedures set out in the Treaties. The President and representatives of the major political groups in the European Parliament were consulted on the UK’s new settlement and both Ministers and officials plan furhter contact with MEPs.