Tag: Christopher Chope

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-10-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the opinions of e-cigarette users and people who use other reduced risk products are represented at the WHO conference on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in November 2016.

Nicola Blackwood

The Government has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to inform its negotiating position with other Parties attending the Conference of the Parties for the Framework on Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), including users of e-cigarette and other novel products. The Government recognises that e-cigarettes can help some smokers quit and the evidence indicates that they are considerably less harmful to health than cigarettes. However, they are not risk free and it is essential that we do not encourage smoking and continue to protect children from the dangers of nicotine. This is a position firmly grounded on the evidence base.

The United Kingdom is a world leader in tobacco control and as such has already implemented the majority of the FCTC’s provisions and taken further action in line with its non-binding guidelines, for example introducing Standardised Packaging. There are few further guidelines being developed by the FCTC and the focus of the Convention is now on full and comprehensive implementation by all 180 Parties. We therefore do not expect the outcomes of the forthcoming Conference of the Parties to significantly alter our tobacco strategy, but will continue to offer our support and experience to help other countries fully implement the provisions of the Treaty, especially low and middle income countries.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2015-10-28.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government is taking steps to recover underpaid vehicle tax in respect of vehicles with higher emissions than certified by emission test data.

Damian Hinds

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates are based on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The “defeat devices” recently found in some VW diesel cars affect nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions. There is therefore currently no evidence that this issue has resulted in an artificial reduction in VED revenues.

UK taxpayers will not incur higher VED if their existing vehicles are found to be fitted with illegal software that manipulates emissions tests. Following VW’s admission of using ‘defeat devices’ in diesel cars there is an ongoing UK government investigation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been unable to provide MyCSP with accurate pension data for its staff on which pension benefit statements can be based; and by what date he expects that matter to be resolved.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is not able to provide myCSP with accurate pensions data on its staff because of an ongoing technical issue with the interface between its shared service supplier and myCSP.

All parties are working on a permanent solution and the MCA understands that this issue will be fixed early in 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-18.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the UK’s contribution to the EU budget through customs duties related to each (a) product type and (b) country in 2014-15.

Damian Hinds

To identify how much of the UK’s contribution to the EU budget through customs duties related to each (a) product type and (b) country in 2014-15 would incur disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-04.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to put measures in place to provide that the proposed higher rate stamp duty land tax will not apply when a purchaser who owns more than one property is replacing a main residence.

Mr David Gauke

The Government intends that a purchaser who is replacing a main residence (even if owning more than one property) will not be subject to the higher rates of SDLT on purchases of additional properties. A consultation has recently concluded on the higher rates and the final policy design will be confirmed at Budget 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place in the Library a copy of the representations which Natural England made in response to the (a) proposal in the draft Christchurch local plan for housing development on green belt land at Marsh Lane, Christchurch, and (b) planning application by Dorset County Council for a two-form entry primary school on green belt land at Marsh Lane, Christchurch.

Rory Stewart

Natural England made two formal responses to Christchurch and East Dorset Council authority about the proposed housing at Marsh Lane which are attached

Subsequently we provided Dorset County Council (DCC) with advice on the proposed New Christchurch Primary School in relation to the Habitats Regulations Assessment undertaken by DCC. Our response is also attached.

Planning documents related to the New Christchurch Primary School, Marsh Lane, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2NH (8/15/0665) can be accessed via this link: http://countyplanning.dorsetforyou.com/ePlanningOPS/.

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many EU migrants left the UK because they had been on job seeker’s allowance for three months and had not found a job in the last year.

James Brokenshire

We do not hold the information requested on EU nationals who have departed. We only hold data on EU nationals who have left following immigration enforcement action.

We have been clear that EU job seekers will not be supported by UK taxpayers, and can be removed if they have not found work within six months. In addition, the new EU settlement negotiated by the Prime Minster confirms that we do not have to pay Universal Credit to EU nationals who come to the UK as job seekers.

From January 2014 to December 2015, we have served over 6,000 administrative removal papers to EEA nationals for a variety of free movement abuses, from non-exercise of Treaty Rights to participation in sham marriages, (2,635 papers were served in 2014, and 3,480 in 2015).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department has taken in response to the Resolution of the House of 11 February on conservation of sea bass and the effect of related EU measures on the UK recreational fishing industry.

George Eustice

The Government has noted carefully the points of the Resolution of the House, which have informed the ongoing development of UK policy on bass as we continue to work to improve the sustainability of the stock at both national and EU level.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the application by Christchurch Borough Council to Natural England for SSSI consent for the development of beach huts at Highcliffe, Christchurch was withdrawn; and what costs have been incurred by Natural England in connection with that application.

Rory Stewart

The application for SSSI consent was withdrawn on 6 July. At that point, the cost to Natural England was for staff costs only.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-09-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2016 to Question 45035, what guidance he has issued on how specific local authorities should estimate their potential annual proportion increase in yields from business rates in (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21 and (c) 2021-22 to facilitate long-term budgeting.

Mr Marcus Jones

The department does not issue guidance on forecasting business rates.