Tag: Gareth Thomas

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 2016-06-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce compulsory advanced notification for (a) commercial and (b) pleasure craft of arrival in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire

The security of our border remains a absolute priority. Border Force works closely with domestic and international partners on an intelligence-led approach to identify unlawful maritime activity including facilitation and illegal entry.

Information on vessels travelling to and from the UK is collected from a range of sources and analysed at the National Maritime Information Centre. The Government keeps all options relating to advance notification requirements under review and will continue to ensure proportionate measures are in place to secure our border.

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 people have been refused permission to board flights to the UK as a result of checks carried out by airlines in each of the last seven years.

James Brokenshire

Commercial airlines are not required to notify government every time a check conducted by them results in a refusal to allow an individual to board a flight. Consequently, the Home Office does not hold this information.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-07-18.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to introduce further 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.

Mr David Davis

As yet, no consideration has been given, or decisions taken, about the laws or policies relevant to EU nationals applying for, or being employed in civil service posts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the amount of business rate income generated in each local authority area in England for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

The Department has published non-domestic rating income from the rates retention scheme for 2013-14 and 2014-15 and forecast non-domestic rating income from the rates retention scheme for 2015-16 and 2016-17 for each local authority at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils

Data relating to non-domestic rating income collected by local authorities prior to the rates retention scheme can also be found at the same link.

The national non-domestic rates collected by councils for 2015-16 (final outturn) will be published on the 23 November 2016.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions with local authorities he is having on possible devolution deals; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Percy

The Government is committed to supporting growth up and down the country through the devolution of power away from Whitehall and is engaged in on-going discussions with a range of areas. As a government we are open to discussing any devolution proposals that include strong, accountable governance arrangements so that we can provide local areas with the powers and tools they need to build an economy that works for everyone.

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

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

David Mundell

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 Scotland Office has no EU Directives awaiting transposition into UK law.

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 International Development, which funding proposals developed by multilateral development banks her Department voted against in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne

Multilateral development banks consider many hundreds of funding proposals each year. The UK decides on its voting position taking account of development impact and value for money. We are ready to vote against projects where they do not meet the required standards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (a) what the average waiting time was for checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service to be completed and (b) how long on average the Police National Computer search took in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14, (v) 2014-15 and (vi) 2015-16 to date.

Karen Bradley

The following table shows, for each year from November 2010 to October 2015, both the average end-to-end turnaround time for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificates and the average time to complete the Police National Computer (PNC) stage.

The PNC stage has been defined as the time spent in DBS between receipt of an application and – in the case of Enhanced Disclosures – its despatch to local police forces; or – in the case of Standard Disclosures – its assembly for return to the applicant. During this period, DBS conducts a search of the Police National Computer, followed by internal checks to ensure both the accuracy and quality of certificates.