Tag: Gareth Thomas

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-02-24.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Swedish government over their decision to end the production of coins containing nickel; whether he plans to further investigate the health risks posed to those who suffer from nickel allergy of the decision to switch to steel nickel-plated 5p and 10p coins in 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin

Nickel has been used in UK coinage for over 60 years and nickel-plated coins introduced in the UK in 2012 were already in use in Canada, New Zealand and other countries around the world.

Independent tests have concluded that there is no increased risk to people from handling the nickel-plated steel five pence and ten pence coins compared to coins made of cupronickel alloy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-04-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support a peaceful resolution to violence in Burundi after the African Union’s decision not to send in peacekeeping troops to that country; and if he will make a statement.

James Duddridge

The UK remains at the forefront of international efforts to end the violence in Burundi. I addressed the Security Council and regional leaders of the Great Lakes last month, highlighting the need for urgent action. Alongside our partners in the UN Security Council, we worked to agree Resolution 2279 on 1 April which strengthens the mandate of the UN’s Special Adviser and presents the possibility of a UN police deployment to Burundi.

The deployment will monitor the security situation, promote the respect of human rights and advance the rule of law.

We continue to press the Government of Burundi to facilitate the deployment of 200 African Union observers, as it publicly stated it would in February. However, ending the violence in the long-term will require a negotiated solution, agreed by the Burundians themselves.

I welcome the appointment of former Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa, as facilitator of the East African Community led dialogue and urges all parties to engage in this dialogue without preconditions. We stand ready to support President Mkapa’s efforts to bring a halt to the violence and other human rights abuses.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to improve levels of knowledge within Border Force about the threats and risks associated with maritime and aviation border security; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire

Border Force works very closely with law enforcement partners to harness the collective knowledge of risks associated with maritime and aviation security. This includes intelligence flows to Border Force and partner agencies from overseas partners, the maritime and aviation industries, voluntary organisations and the public. Border Force also works with the NCA through a series of Joint Border Intelligence units to share and develop intelligence across all modes including maritime and aviation.

The National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC), for which Border Force provides the executive lead, acts as the focal point for all agencies maritime information and provides the UK with unified maritime situational awareness to assist in countering potential threats to UK Maritime Security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many clandestine entrants of each nationality were identified within the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Home Office is improving its data collection in this area and will publish information in this area once that work is completed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-06-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she plans to support the International Trade Centre’s She Trades initiative; and if she will make a statement.

Sir Desmond Swayne

DFID is a strong supporter of women’s economic empowerment. The Secretary of State is on the UN High Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, which will accelerate global action on this agenda. The SheTrades Initiative is a consequence of DFID’s funding for the International Trade Centre’s women and trade programme, which helps women entrepreneurs from developing countries to trade and access markets. To date this programme has directly supported 2,600 women entrepreneurs, and indirectly contributed to 12,000 women benefiting from market access opportunities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to introduce restrictions on the posts that EU nationals are able to (a) work in and (b) apply for within the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer

All Civil Service bodies are bound by legal requirements concerning the right to work in the UK and, in addition, the Civil Service Nationality Rules that are currently in effect.

We have no current plans to amend the rules, but will keep the matter under review.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions his Department has had with local authorities on the possible expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick airports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Hayes

There have been no discussions with local authorities on the possible expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

The Airports Commission shortlisted three airport expansion schemes, two at Heathrow and one at Gatwick. The Government accepted the Commission’s shortlist in December 2015 and is considering all of the evidence very carefully before reaching a view on its preferred scheme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which agreed EU directives have not yet been transposed directly into UK law; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart

Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if Ministers of his Department will meet with the European Investment Bank to discuss access to loan finance for local authorities after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Consideration of local authorities’ financial relationship with the European Investment Bank will form part of our approach to exiting the EU. As this government has already stated, we will not give a running commentary on Brexit negotiations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to promote steps to tackle HIV/Aids; and if she will make a statement.

Grant Shapps

The UK remains firmly committed to the Sustainable Development Goals agreed in New York in September, including the target to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. We are already working towards this goal not only through our substantial support to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, but also through our work with UNITAID and the Clinton Health Access Initiative to make testing and treatment more accessible and affordable.

We will continue to concentrate on the critical gaps in reducing new infections, particularly among women and girls and key affected populations while continuing to address the barriers that limit access to treatment. These include strengthening health systems and tackling the broader structural drivers of the HIV epidemic such as stigma and discrimination, and gender inequality.