Tag: Gareth Thomas

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 assessment he has made of the effect of refugees from Burundi on neighbouring countries; what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Uganda, (b) Tanzania, (c) Rwanda and (d) the Democratic Republic of Congo on the humanitarian situation related to refugees from Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

James Duddridge

The UK is very concerned about the ongoing political and human rights crisis in Burundi, and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries. Over 257,000 Burundians have become refugees since April 2015. The UK’s humanitarian response has concentrated on the region, particularly in Tanzania and Rwanda, for which we have provided £21.15 million since April 2015. We are also supporting refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda through existing programmes and the provision of technical advice. In December 2015 I visited Uganda and Rwanda where I highlighted the deteriorating situation and urged regional players to take concrete steps to find a solution. My Hon. Friend and the Department for International Development Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Nick Hurd MP visited Nyarugusu refugee camp in western Tanzania in March, and met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and donor partners. He continues to raise the plight of Burundian refugees with influential regional partners, including during his recent visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and with interested parties, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee. Whilst there are no plans to make a statement at this stage, we will continue monitoring the political and human rights situation in Burundi.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has taken steps to make advance passenger information available to Border Force general maritime officers; 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 may airport liaison officers have been deployed to each location in each of the last seven years.

James Brokenshire

The information requested is not available.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has plans in the next three years to stop flights into or out of RAF Northolt to enable work to reinforce or rebuild the runway at that base; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster

Plans are being considered to reinforce the aerodrome operating surfaces at RAF Northolt in that timescale, and to introduce improvements to the safety zones at either end of the runway with an engineered material arresting system. However, until the scope of works is fully defined, we are not in a position to identify what impact these planned works may have on flying activity at RAF Northolt.

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

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many loans from the European Investment Bank were approved in the UK by (a) constituent region and nation and (b) local authority area in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Gauke

Answer: The EIB publish all loans made to UK borrowers. The link below provides information on lending volumes to the UK and details on individual UK projects are available on the EIB website.

http://www.eib.org/projects/regions/european-union/united-kingdom/index.htm

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

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

Mr Marcus Jones

The Prime Minister has been clear we will not give a running commentary on Brexit negotiations.

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

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

Sir Oliver Heald

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.

There are currently no EU directives for which the MoJ has responsibility, and which the UK has opted into, which are 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, how much income was raised from business rates (a) in total and (b) was retained by the local authority in each English local authority area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Prior to 2013-14, Business Rates collected by local authorities were paid into a national pool and then re-distributed to local authorities as part of the Local Government Finance settlement.

In 2013-14, the Business Rates Retention scheme was introduced. Under this scheme Local Authorities retain 50% of Business Rates collected with the remaining 50% passed to Central Government known as the central share.

The total Business Rates raised and the amounts retained by local authorities from 2013-14 onwards can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils

Only forecast data are available for both 2015-16 and 2016-17.

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

To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish the minutes of the Prime Minister’s Community Forum meeting on 13 October 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Cameron

Information about the first meeting of the Community Engagement Forum can be found on the gov.uk website.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of GP surgeries which will pay increased rental charges for their premises after NHS Property Services Ltd moves to market value rents; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman

The Department has been reviewing the rent arrangements NHS Property Services inherited from primary care trusts in April 2013, with a view to moving towards a more rational charging policy. It is estimated around 900 general practitioner practices would pay increased rental charges for their premises if NHS Property Services moves to market value rents. Rental costs would be reimbursable in the normal way in accordance with the NHS ‘premises costs’ directions.