Tag: David Jones

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-02-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is providing to Christian militias in the fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Penny Mordaunt

We are not providing support on the basis of faith or religion. In Iraq, our focus has been on the Iraqi security forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga, to whom we have provided training in infantry skills and tactics to counter improvised explosive devices. We have also provided medical training. In Syria, we have delivered over £4 million of life-saving equipment to moderate opposition groups including communications, medical and logistics equipment, and protection against chemical weapons attacks.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to reform the police complaints process.

Mike Penning

Complaints made against the police must be responded to in a way that builds public confidence, and allows lessons to be learned.

The Policing and Crime Bill will reform the complaints system so that the handling of police complaints is customer focused and that cases are dealt with quickly and effectively, not just for the benefits of the public, but also for officers who have done nothing wrong.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-03-02.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions (a) he and (b) ministers of his Department have had with their Welsh Government counterparts on the potential benefits to North Wales of the Northern Powerhouse.

Greg Hands

Ministers from the Treasury and Wales Office regularly meet with members of the Welsh Government. The Rt. Honourable Member is right to recognise that north Wales is well positioned to play an integral role in the Northern Powerhouse. The UK Government wants to work with the Welsh Government and partners like the Economic Ambition Board to improve productivity and drive further growth in the region.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions (a) he and (b) ministers of his Department have had with their Welsh Government counterparts on the potential benefits to North Wales of the Northern Powerhouse.

Andrew Jones

Ministers at the Department for Transport have regular contact with our Welsh Government counterparts which cover a range of transport issues affecting Wales. Transport for the North have also agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Welsh Government that sets out how they will work together to improve transport cross-border transport links, which will help to stimulate the economy of the whole of the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions (a) he and (b) ministers of his Department have had with their Welsh Government counterparts on the potential benefits to North Wales of the Northern Powerhouse.

Anna Soubry

The Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Wales jointly hosted a roundtable in August to discussthese potential benefits. Ministerial and official engagement continues across Departments to capitalise on the opportunities for North Wales from the Northern Powerhouse.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-03-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress has been made on delivering the commitments made to Jordan at the Syria Donors Conference.

Mr Desmond Swayne

In Jordan, a Management Unit has been set up within the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to which DFID has seconded staff. Existing co-ordination mechanisms, such as the Government-Donor Education group, are developing plans to deliver the Conference goals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-04-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of microbeads on marine ecosystems.

George Eustice

Defra has funded a project, undertaken by the University of Plymouth, to study the effects of microplastics in the marine environment. The project studied whether chemical pollutants stick to plastic particles, whether marine organisms ingest plastic particles and pass them along the food chain, and whether the plastics themselves, or associated chemical pollutants, could cause harm to those organisms. The final report for this project is expected to be published shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-04-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli authorities on the planned demolition of the Palestinian settlements of Susiya and Umm al-Hiran.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The British Embassy in Tel Aviv raises concerns with the Israeli Government on the issue of demolitions. Demolitions of Palestinian villages not only inflict unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, but are harmful to the peace process, and in all by the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. In regards to demolitions of Bedouin villages in green-line Israel such as Umm al-Hiran, a solution must respect the equality of all Israel’s citizens, and be consistent with Israel’s commitments under international law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to assist humanitarian relief in Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne

Yemen is now one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The UK is the fourth largest donor having more than doubled our commitment to £85m in 2015-16. We have so far helped more than 1.3m Yemenis, providing food, medical supplies, water and emergency shelter to those most in need.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Jones on 2016-05-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has made to the organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest on their refusal to allow the display of the Red Dragon flag at the 2016 contest.

Mr Edward Vaizey

I understand that the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest has reversed its ban on the display of the Red Dragon flag. We welcome this example of European co-operation, and wish Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft the best of luck on 14 May.