Tag: Christopher Chope

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-03.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2015 to Question 2064, on social security benefits, from what source the data was obtained; and what the cost was in 2014-15 of (a) the child benefit awards and (b) the child tax credit awards under EC Regulation 883/2004.

Damian Hinds

HMRC holds figures on the number of cases of Child Benefit paid in respect of children living in another EEA country or Switzerland. Information on the value of these claims is not held in the format requested.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-05-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the terms of reference are for the financial modelling work being undertaken by local partnerships into models for devolution in Dorset; and what the estimated cost of such work is to (a) the public purse and (b) the Local Government Association.

James Wharton

Local areas are free to develop proposals for devolution as they see fit and any professional input that they may choose to commission, and its cost, are a matter for them.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what his policy is on whether the Scottish Government can seek to negotiate a separate relationship for Scotland outside the EU compared with the rest of the United Kingdom under a devolved power.

David Mundell

Foreign affairs, including the UK’s membership of the European Union, are reserved under the devolution settlement in the Scotland Act. Our focus now needs to be working together as Team UK, to achieve the best deal for both Scotland and the United Kingdom in the negotiations with the EU. We will fully involve the Scottish Government as we prepare for those negotiations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS prescription charge penalty charge notices were issued in the last year for which figures are available; and how much was recovered in (a) prescription income and (b) penalty charges and surcharges in the last year for which information is available.

David Mowat

The number of National Health Service prescription charge penalty charge notices issued between September 2015 and August 2016, which is the most recent 12-month period for which we have complete data, was 780,953. Where no response was received to the initial penalty charge notice a follow up surcharge letter was issued to the patient. For the same period a total of 333,508 surcharge letters were issued.

The value of the recovered prescription income in this period was £2,556,941, and the value of the income from penalty charges and surcharges was £8,678,911 and £745,830, respectively.

Since taking over the administration of the Prescription Exemption Checking Service in September 2014, the NHS Business Services Authority has not issued any court proceedings for debt recovery in relation to NHS prescription charges and penalties.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2015-11-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) current and (b) former members of the UK armed forces have been awarded the NATO Africa Medal.

Mark Lancaster

The UK Armed Forces have a distinguished history of serving with great courage and professionalism in a wide-range of conflict situations; over the years various foreign military awards have been approved for acceptance and some of these have also been approved for wearing. A full list of the qualifying criteria for, and permission to wear, campaign medals, foreign medals and medals awarded by international organisations is available in Joint Service Publication 761 which can be found at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/396186/JSP761_honours_awards.pdf

Information on the numbers of UK Service personnel or veterans who have been awarded the NATO Africa Medal is not held by the Ministry of Defence as this is administered by NATO.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2016 to 21399, what assessment she has made of whether the French government is meeting its EU and international obligations in respect of registration of non-EU citizens in France who are in need of international protection.

James Brokenshire

As informed in the response to 21399 the Government continues to work closely with France on a range of migration and security issues and we have no plans to change this constructive approach. The French Government remains committed to meeting its EU and international obligations and the opening of new places in its asylum system for those that claim asylum in Calais demonstrates this. The UK and French Governments are unified in their response to the migratory phenomenon and both governments recognise the importance of close partnership and collaboration to reach a long-term solution.

A person requiring international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country that they reach, a principle which is reflected in the Dublin Regulation. Any migrant currently in France who wishes to seek international protection should do so in France. The UK will consider a request from France to take responsibility of an asylum applicant on the basis of the family unity provisions contained in the Dublin Regulation if there are grounds to do so. A person must claim asylum in France before a responsibility request can be made and considered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 6 July 2015 to Questions 5048, 5049 and 5050, whether bat removal licences have been granted; and whether it is expected that the new premises for Parkfield School at Hurn will be ready for occupation by September 2016.

Edward Timpson

The permanent site for Parkfield School will be ready for occupation in September 2016 in refurbished buildings. The occupation of the building will be phased and it is expected that all works, including the new sports hall, will be completed in the spring of 2017. Bat licences and other permissions are in place.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the status is of the 2003 Le Touquet Treaty in international law.

James Brokenshire

Juxtaposed Controls were introduced for short sea crossings by the “Treaty Between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the French Republic Concerning the Implementation of Frontier Controls at the Sea ports of Both Countries on the Channel and North Sea”, signed at Le Touquet on 4 February 2003.

This bilateral agreement between the UK and France provides for immigration controls to be conducted by the country of arrival in designated control zones in the country of departure at both French and UK sea ports on the Channel and North Sea, including Calais and Dunkirk in France, and Dover in the UK.

The Le Touquet Treaty is an agreement concluded between the UK and France under international law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the financial effect on businesses of the decision in Loch v British Gas has on, including payments of bonus and commission in the calculation of holiday pay.

Nick Boles

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is continuing to monitor the impact of Lock v British Gas and other court decisions relating to holiday pay. We are undertaking a formal assessment of the financial impact and will make that available as and when there is a quality assured estimate.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2016 to Question 27122, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Christchurch Beach Replenishment Scheme; and what assessment has been made of the quantity of material used to re-establish coast protection which is still in place.

Rory Stewart

Christchurch Borough Council are the Risk Management Authority responsible for this section of coast and commissioned the Christchurch Beach Replenishment Scheme in early summer 2015. They conduct monthly visual inspections of beach condition. Regular surveys are also carried out on behalf of all Coastal Authorities to assess volume changes through the South-East Region Coastal Monitoring Programme.

The quantity of material used to restore the beach was recorded by contractors and independently confirmed by pre and post works survey to be 25,000m³ which exceeded the design quantity.

Christchurch Borough Council reports that the re-nourished beach has shown a normal response to winter storm events, with material moving between groyne embayments, and expected losses occurring from the top of the beach to the nearshore area. Reports also conclude that the beach nourishment work undertaken reduced the vulnerability of the sea wall foundations and promenades to collapse.