STORY
Chris Chope, the Conservative MP for Christchurch, has said that he will be backing Robert Jenrick for the Conservative Party leadership as Kemi Badenoch, the other contender, is “pre-occupied with her children”. He mentioned that “Robert’s children are a bit older” and said that he was not against a woman being the leader of a political party if she has children. Neither of the leadership candidates have yet commented on Chope’s comments.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2015-11-06.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much is owed in overpaid tax credits.
Damian Hinds
This information is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449343/HMRC_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_2014-15__Web_accessible_version_.pdf
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has made to her French counterparts on the proposed construction of a new camp for migrants close to Dieppe.
James Brokenshire
The management of migrant camps in northern France is the responsibility of the French Government. The Home Office is in regular contact with the French authorities and will continue to engage with them on managing port security and dealing with the migrant pressures.
We are not aware of any proposals to build a migrant camp in Dieppe.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people applied to join the Army Reserve in 2015; and how many such applications were successful.
Mr Julian Brazier
Defence Statistics publish information on a regular basis showing intake figures for the Armed Forces, including the Army and Army Reserve. The most recent information is contained in ‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics: December 2015’ and associated tables, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-index.
The number of applications to the Army Reserve in the 12 months ending 30 September 2015 was 29,730. The intake of Army Reserve New Entrants in the 12 months ending 30 September 2015 was 3,750.
There is not necessarily a direct correlation between the individual applicants who applied within the period above, and the individuals who were classed as new entrants within the same period: due to the time taken to process applications, not all new entrants would have been applicants during the period specified.
New Entrants reflect intake into the initial phase of training only, and comprise new recruits, ex-Regulars and Reserve re-joiners that require training.
‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 January 2016’ will be published on 11 February 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will direct Ofsted to undertake re-inspections of (a) Parley First School and (b) Ferndown Upper School within two years of their last inspections.
Nick Gibb
The scheduling of school inspections is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Ofsted’s general policy is to inspect ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’ schools after approximately two years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2016 to Question 27033, which governments within the EU support further political integration.
Mr David Lidington
As I said in my response of 23 February 2016 (PQ 27033), there is clearly support in some governments within the European Union for further political integration, but there are other, more sceptical voices too. The recital in paragraph one of section C makes clear that “the United Kingdom, in the light of the specific situation it has under the Treaties, is not committed to further political integration into the European Union”.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what checks his Department carries out to ascertain the (a) immigration status and (b) nationality of benefits claimants.
Priti Patel
Access to means-tested benefits is conditional upon satisfying the Habitual Residence Test (HRT) where claimants must provide proof of their nationality and immigration status; their employment (where appropriate) and habitual residence in the UK.
Generally, access to disability benefits is conditional upon satisfying the Past Presence Test (PPT) where claimants must provide proof of their nationality and immigration status; their habitual residence in the UK; and presence in the UK for 2 years out of the last 3 years.
Access to contributions-based benefits is not dependent on a residency test, but the claimant must be present in the UK and they must have made the required number of national insurance contributions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-04-13.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the UK has received a guaranteed exemption from any EU Financial Transaction Tax.
Mr David Gauke
The UK is not participating in the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) being developed by 10 EU Member States under the enhanced cooperation procedure. The tax will not therefore be implemented in the UK.
The Chancellor has been clear throughout negotiations that the UK will not hesitate to challenge the FTT at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) if it has an extraterritorial impact on non-participating Member States.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-07-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on whether article 50 of the Treaty on the functioning of the EU enables the EU to negotiate separately with the Scottish Government towards a different agreement to that which applies to the rest of the UK.
Sir Alan Duncan
The legal and constitutional responsibility for the UK’s relationship with the EU lies at Westminster. The Government will fully involve the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments to ensure we get the best deal for the UK as a whole.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-09-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it the policy of the Government to enable councils in England to operate combined registration districts.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There are no current plans to change the law to enable councils in England to operate combined registration districts. Under existing legislation some local authorities undertake joint working initiatives to offer improved service options, which have proved successful.