Tag: Andrew Rosindell

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support market towns.

Penny Mordaunt

The Government is fully committed to helping communities respond to the structural changes underway in our town centres. Since 2010, we have helped create over 360 town teams, including 27 Portas Pilots. We have funded successful initiatives such as ‘Love your Local Market’ and the Great British High Street Portal and awards. We have strengthened the role of Business Improvement Districts, introduced new permitted development rights and are tackling aggressive parking enforcement.

In addition, approximately 600,000 businesses are benefitting from Small Business Rate Relief with approximately 400,000 paying no rates at all.

We announced at the 2014 Autumn Statement an extra £650 million of support for 2015-16 business rates bills in England, bringing the total support from 2013 and 2014 Autumn Statement measures to £1.4 billion in 2015-16. That includes amongst other things:

• doubling Small Business Rate Relief for a further year (2015-16);
• increasing the temporary discount for shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000 from £1,000 to £1,500 for 2015-16.

Over half of the £1.4 billion package will go to retail.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect biodiversity on the Pitcairn Islands.

Mark Simmonds

HMG works closely with the Pitcairn Island Council, the Pitcairn community and other stakeholders on the protection of biodiversity on the Pitcairn Islands. We are currently drafting a revised Pitcairn Ordinance (Law) on environmental protection to entrench these protections further.

The Government is also currently funding, through Darwin Plus, a project to develop a sustainable marine and fisheries management plan for the Pitcairn Islands.

We have committed to working constructively with the Pitcairn Island Council, and other stakeholders to see if there are practical solutions for more affordable enforcement, including enhanced international co-operation, alternative sources of funding, and innovative methods to achieve the same objective.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress British military forces have made on defeating the ISIL threat in Syria.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are providing intelligence and surveillance to support coalition partners, who are carrying out air strikes in Syria against ISIL. Airstrikes are making a difference on the ground, for example, they supported ground forces in driving ISIL out of Kobane. In addition, we will make a significant contribution to the US-led effort to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition who are fighting against ISIL. Ultimately, we need to see an inclusive political transition in Damascus which produces a Syrian government, without Assad, with which we can work to fight ISIL.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that Crimea is still internationally recognised as part of the Ukraine.

Mr David Lidington

The Government strongly condemns Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea which violates the UN Charter and is illegal under international law. The UK co-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 on the "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine", which was adopted on 27 March 2014 with 100 votes in favour and only 11 against. This result delivered a resounding international condemnation of Russian actions in Crimea and made clear Russia’s isolation in the Security Council and in the international community.

G7 leaders issued a statement on 4 June which affirmed G7 countries’ non-recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and condemned the unacceptable interference in Ukraine’s sovereign affairs by the Russian Federation. G7 Leaders confirmed the decision by G7 countries to impose sanctions on individuals and entities who had actively supported or implemented the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and who were threatening the peace, security and stability of Ukraine. They underlined their implementation of a strict policy of non-recognition with respect to Crimea/Sevastopol, in line with UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262.

The EU has regularly condemned Russian actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine and supported action including the imposition of travel bans and asset freezes on 72 individuals and the sanctioning of two entities; the cancellation of the EU-Russia Summit; agreement not to hold bilateral summits; and a decision to block Russian membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and International Energy Agency.

On 16 July, and in line with the EU’s policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, the Prime Minister and other EU Leaders requested the European Commission and the European External Action Service to present proposals for additional measures on restricting investments in Crimea and Sevastopol. The European Council also asked the International Financial Institutions to refrain from financing any projects that explicitly or implicitly recognised the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.

The UK remains firmly committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the flag of the Commonwealth nations will fly on public buildings on Commonwealth Day 2015.

Mrs Helen Grant

The flags of the Commonwealth nations will fly on Parliament Square to mark Commonwealth Day on 9^th March. Commonwealth Day is a designated day for the flying of the Union Flag on all UK Government Buildings, so the Union Flag takes precedence over other flags on this day. Other public authorities may be participating in the independent initiative ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ by flying the Commonwealth Flag from their buildings on Commonwealth Day.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the importance of the sustainability of the British Overseas Territories.

Mark Simmonds

The sustainability of the UK’s Overseas Territories is a priority for my Department and for the whole of Government. The UK Government has a fundamental responsibility and objective to ensure the security and good governance of the Territories and their peoples and to ensure the good stewardship of their natural environments. On the latter point, the government has worked closely with the Territories to mainstream environmental policy and to help them understand how their unique natural heritage can bring them positive benefits. The Government is contributing some £2 million per annum to the Darwin Fund which supports environmental management in the Territories.

The Government set out its vision and strategy for the Overseas Territories in the 2012 White Paper – The Overseas Territories: Security, Success and Sustainability. I recognise the valuable work of the Hon member for Romford as the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Overseas Territories.”

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on supplying arms to Ukraine’s military; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington

I have discussed the crisis in Ukraine with a number of my NATO counterparts. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) set out in his statement to the House on 10 February: ‘it is a national decision for each country in the NATO alliance to decide whether to supply lethal equipment to Ukraine. The UK is not planning to do so, but we reserve the right to keep this position under review. Different members of the alliance take nuanced positions on this question and are entitled to do so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Ukraine.

Mr David Lidington

The situation in eastern Ukraine is of grave concern. As the Prime Minister recently discussed with President Obama, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande, Russia still needs to take steps towards de-escalation including support for a ceasefire; release of all hostages; and preventing the transit of weapons and fighters across the Russia-Ukraine border.

The tragic incident involving Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 underlines the seriousness of the situation. The reason violence continues in eastern Ukraine is because Russian-backed armed separatists refused to respect a ceasefire and have continued to intimidate, mount attacks and disrupt the lives of ordinary people.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Jordanian counterpart on tackling ISIL.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK works closely with Jordan as they play a key and active role on the front lines of the fight against ISIL. Most recently, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) wrote to the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh, to extend his condolences following the brutal murder of Lieutenant Al Kassasbeh and to reiterate that the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Jordan in the struggle against ISIL. The Foreign Secretary also met Foreign Minister Judeh twice in January, including at the Counter-ISIL Small Group Conference in London on 22 January, where discussions focussed on reviewing progress, strengthening coalition coordination, and providing further support to the Government of Iraq.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce tension in the on-going conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are working to secure a ceasefire, to alleviate humanitarian suffering, and to keep alive the prospects for peace negotiations which are the only hope of breaking this cycle of violence and devastation once and for all. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) spoke with the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on 18 July and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on 19 July. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 July.