Tag: Gareth Thomas

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the cost to the public purse was of refunds to businesses which successfully appealed the amount they were asked to pay in business rates in (a) each English local authority area and (b) in total by region of England in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Refunds to businesses as a result of successful appeals are made by the relevant billing authority. The Department does not hold data on the total cost of refunds resulting from appeals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-11-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2015 to Question 13499, when the Civil Aviation Authority began its review of certain aspects of the safety of operations at RAF Northolt; if he will publish the full remit of the review and its conclusions; when he expects to receive the conclusions of the review; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) began its review in July in order to respond to several points raised in a letter from Biggin Hill Airport dated 8 July 2015.

The CAA has now concluded the review and I understand, will communicate the results directly to Biggin Hill Airport shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-12-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions Ministers of his Department have had with Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group about providing a polyclinic in the eastern part of the London Borough of Harrow; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman

There have been no discussions between Health Ministers and Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on this matter.

NHS England has advised us that there are already two practices offering walk-in appointments in the west of the Harrow CCG area. We understand that the CCG is planning to establish a third primary care hub with the same service specification in the east of the Borough.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish his Department’s reasons for installing an Engineered Material Arresting System at RAF Northolt; how much he expects that installation to cost; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

The Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) is being scoped as a military infrastructure requirement commensurate with safety cases for military aircraft operating at RAF Northolt and the associated military aerodrome design standards utilised at the Station. I am withholding estimated costs for the EMAS project as it is at the pre-tender stage and disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice commercial interests.

The Mott McDonald report has no opinion or relevance against the military aerodrome design criteria and safety cases in place at the Station or the current operation of RAF Northolt. Any infrastructure investment for military operational requirements will continue to be undertaken as necessary to support military and Government outputs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-02-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take in response to increases in the cost to the NHS of Liothyronine; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman

The Government’s policy on generic medicines is to allow manufacturers freedom of pricing for their products, relying on competition to deliver value for money. Any potential pricing abuses are a matter for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Department is in regular contact with the CMA.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on UK membership of the UN 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire

The UK has a proud record of providing protection to those who need it and will continue to do so, in accordance with our obligations as a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol.

As the Home Secretary said in her speech to the Conservative Party conference, in the longer term we want to work with other countries in the EU and the UN to look at the international definitions of asylum and refugee status.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of (a) Syrian refugees being shot whilst attempting to cross Turkish borders and (b) numbers of Syrians being deported by Turkey to Syria; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington

I refer my hon. Friend to the response the Minister of State, my noble Friend, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, gave in the other place on 27 April 2016. (HL7793) http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=hl7793

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether changes have been made to the way evidence of illegal entry is recorded in response to the recommendations made in the report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, An Inspection of General Aviation and General Maritime, published in January 2016, and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire

Border Force fully accepted the recommendations of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration regarding General Aviation and General Maritime and is implementing changes as quickly as practicable. Border Force is working with other government departments and partners to deliver improvement during 2016-2017 and is closely monitoring progress.

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 prosecutions of people involved in providing transport for illegal immigrants there have been in the each of the last seven years.

James Brokenshire

Individuals prosecuted for smuggling illegal immigrants/stowaways in their vehicles – in the period 2014 to 2016 as set out below:

2014/2015 – 52

2015/2016 – 88

Prior to March 2014, this information was not recorded centrally.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-09-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the result of the EU referendum on the timetable for a decision on Heathrow expansion.

Mr John Hayes

As we move into the new world beyond our membership of the European Union, it is important that we are an outward-facing nation with strong business ties around the world. It is important that we get the decision on runway capacity right. We will take that decision and move ahead with our plans, ensuring that we have the right links for the future.