Tag: Barry Gardiner

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-03-15.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of science and research and charity organisations on the potential effect of including anti-lobbying clauses in grant agreements.

Matthew Hancock

The new clause in government grants makes sure that taxpayers’ money is not diverted from their intended purpose and wasted on political campaigning and political lobbying.

As indicated at the House of Lords Science Technology Committee, BIS and Cabinet Office are looking into how this new clause will apply to academic research.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-04-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many applications for emergency authorisation for the use of neonicotinoids have been received since February 2016; and how many such applications have been granted.

George Eustice

The Government has received two applications for emergency authorisation for the use of neonicotinoids since February 2016. These applications are currently being assessed according to the normal rules, which allow for limited and controlled use of a pesticide on an exceptional basis in emergency situations to control a danger which cannot be contained by any other reasonable means. No authorisations have been granted.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-05-23.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the revised EU Directive on Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provisions for lowering the exposure of pension fund savers to climate change-related financial risk.

Mr David Gauke

The Government’s priority for the draft Directive is ensuring sound and proportionate regulation of occupational pension schemes, which respects differences in the national arrangements between Member States.

As is usual practice, an overall impact assessment for the draft Directive has been prepared by the EU institutions, and a national-level impact assessment will be prepared as and when the Directive is transposed into UK law.

The Government has approached negotiations on the Directive in line with the usual co-ordination process across departments.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-06-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the sustainable development goals that have 2020 deadlines will be met.

Rory Stewart

Of the 21 targets under the Global Goals for Sustainable Development that have a 2020 deadline, 11 of these fall within policy areas for which Defra is responsible. These goals and associated targets largely mirror the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and will be implemented through activities that are already in place in respect of the Aichi Targets.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to ensure that the Financial Reporting Council has in place adequate processes to monitor disclosure on climate-related risk.

Margot James

Companies are required to prepare an annual report. As part of this, companies are required to make disclosure on environmental matters containing information necessary for their shareholders to gain a proper understanding of the company’s business, including the principal risks faced by the company during the company’s previous financial year.

With their knowledge of the company, it is the directors who are best placed to assess the quality of any disclosure relating to climate change. In addition, shareholders can challenge any disclosure or its absence, including those relating to climate change, either at a meeting with the board or at the company’s Annual General Meeting, should they feel this is a key risk that needs to be addressed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many organisations in receipt of grant funding awarded by her Department were found to have engaged in activity that influenced or attempted to influence Parliament, government, or the European Commission, or were found to have attempted to influence legislative or regulatory action in each of the last three years.

Andrea Leadsom

In line with government policy, DECC is introducing the new anti-lobbying clause mandated by the Cabinet Office. DECC has previously included a prohibition on use of the grant for activities of a political or exclusively religious nature, and DECC is not aware of any breaches of this condition, although no investigation has been carried out. Most DECC grants are awarded to cover specified costs incurred by the grant recipient in undertaking a particular project and are paid to reimburse those costs on receipt of satisfactory evidence that the relevant costs have been incurred.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-03-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many HM Courts and Tribunals Service decisions have gone against her Department in each of the last six months; and how many such decisions in each of those months have not been implemented.

James Brokenshire

The latest set of published statistics regarding how many HM Courts and Tribunals Service decisions have gone against the Secretary of State for the Home Department is available online from HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

The figures requested relating to decisions implemented are not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-05-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will direct the Health and Safety Executive to increase transparency by publishing details of applications for emergency authorisation of neonicotinoid pesticides before a decision is taken on such applications.

George Eustice

Significant or technically complex applications for authorisation are considered by the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides. Their agendas and minutes are published and provide public information about the expert assessment, including details of the applications considered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when the National Emissions Target Board met to discuss setting the fifth carbon budget; and who attended those meetings of that board.

Andrea Leadsom

Some of the governance arrangements related to carbon budgets were amended last year. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster now chairs an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on Clean Growth, which considers issues relating to air quality and decarbonisation, where these have a cross-departmental aspect. The group meets as and when required. Its members include ministers and officials from the relevant departments, including Defra, DECC, DfT, DCLG and BIS.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-06-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan, what discussions she has had with stakeholders on the integration of her Department’s agricultural objectives with its biodiversity objectives.

Rory Stewart

Defra has regular discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including the agricultural industry and environmental organisations. These discussions have included developing our agri-environment schemes, particularly the new Countryside Stewardship scheme, which are designed to deliver biodiversity objectives along with other environmental benefits.