Tag: Andrew Rosindell

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to persuade the Libyan government to issue compensation for UK victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK Government takes the needs of victims of terrorism in the UK very seriously and is sympathetic to their attempts to seek redress. The current instability in Libya has delayed further discussions with the authorities on the resolution of legacy issues. We have made clear to the Libyan authorities that resolution of legacy issues remain a priority for us. Mr Ellwood raised the issue with Prime Minister Serraj when he met him in Tunis last November. We also raised it with Foreign Minister Siala during the visit to Libya by the former Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) earlier this year. In July, Mr Ellwood wrote to the Government of National Accord (GNA) seeking an update on legacy issues, but we do not anticipate a swift response given the current challenges facing the GNA.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-10-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the introduction of the national living wage on the UK’s international competitiveness.

Mr David Gauke

The introduction of the National Living Wage marked an important step towards building an economy that works for everyone. It ensures that low-wage workers are fairly rewarded for their contribution to a growing economy. At £7.20, it is a 50p increase on the National Minimum Wage and means a pay rise for over a million workers aged 25 and over across the UK.

The impact assessment for the National Living Wage is available at legislation.gov.uk. It covers the direct costs and benefits to businesses and employees, along with the indirect effects of the policy, including the macroeconomic and fiscal impacts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many refugees who have been admitted to the UK since 2010 (a) have since returned to their country of origin and (b) her Department is in regular contact with.

James Brokenshire

If the Home Office grants refugee status to an applicant, we would not seek to remove them from the UK as a ‘failed asylum seeker’. It has been assumed the question is about how many refugees who have settled in the UK, have since returned to their country of origin.

The Home Office does not hold information on the number of people who have settled and been granted refugee status in the UK, who have since returned to their country of origin. If refugees return to their country of origin the Home Office does not keep in regular contact.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to ensure that reductions in police funding do not lead to the cancellation of Remembrance Day parades.

Mike Penning

Remembrance ceremonies and parades are an important and valued means by which communities across the country honour the sacrifice of British service personnel. This is not an issue about police funding. The police have never had a policy of routinely policing Remembrance Sunday parades or other special occasions. The management of these events is a matter for event organisers in conjunction with local authorities.

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