The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to repeal the EU directive on the artist’s resale right after the UK leaves the EU.
Joseph Johnson
The Government has no current plans to repeal the Artist’s Resale Right Regulations 2006, but keeps the matter under review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-09-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual cost is of retaining each of his Department’s 15 golf courses.
Mark Lancaster
This information is not held.
The money spent on running golf courses is not separately identifiable from the operating costs of the site as a whole.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will allow the completed High Speed 2 railway line to be open access as opposed to restricted by franchise.
Andrew Jones
The Government is considering how best HS2 services should be provided both when operating on the new High Speed and conventional rail networks. This includes consideration of franchising options but does not rule out alternative routes for service delivery, to ensure that services deliver the Government objectives for HS2, and optimum use is made of total capacity across the entire network to maximise the benefits for passengers and secure a return for taxpayers on the significant investment Government is making in HS2. No final decision has been taken.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on her policy on Tech City UK.
Matt Hancock
We are working to assess the effect of the decision to leave the EU on all parts of the UK digital sector. Tech City UK has been successful in supporting the growth of thriving digital clusters across the UK and they are an important partner in ensuring that we continue to support the sector as we prepare to leave the EU. We are drawing on their insight into the needs of digital businesses and start-ups across the UK to help ensure we get the best deal for the future of the digital sector, and for the wider economy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to review regulations on food and drink packaging after the UK leaves the EU.
Dr Thérèse Coffey
The Government is developing its 25 Year Environment Plan, part of which will consider our regulations for resources, waste and recycling.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-01-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many residences classified as social housing (a) do not have access to superfast broadband, (b) have connections slower than 10 Mbit/s and (c) have connections slower than 2Mbit/s; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Government is on target to deliver access to superfast broadband for 95% of all UK premises – including social housing – by December 2017, and to extend coverage beyond that as far as possible. We do not hold a breakdown of this information by housing tenure centrally, however this investment is benefiting all types of housing, as well as businesses, and we are proud to be delivering on this critical piece of infrastructure as set out in our manifesto.
Currently, superfast broadband is available to almost 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK – up from 45 per cent in 2010. Around 5 per cent of UK homes and business are currently experiencing connection speeds below 10 Mbit/s.
Having reduced the proportion of all UK premises with speeds less than 2 Mbit/s substantially from 11% in 2010 to around 1% in December last year, we have now implemented our commitment of having at least 2 Mbit/s per second basic broadband available to all homes and businesses.
All premises which are not currently scheduled to get an increase in speed to at least this level are eligible for a subsidised satellite broadband service that can deliver speeds of 10Mbps or more.
The Prime Minister has also announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which is set at 10 Mbit/s. This new broadband USO will give people the legal right to request an affordable broadband connection, at a reasonable cost threshold, no matter where they live. We will be consulting on these proposals shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-09-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first F35 Joint Strike Fighters are planned to be operational.
Harriett Baldwin
Initial Operating Capability for the UK’s F-35B Lightning aircraft is scheduled for December 2018.
The most recent US Selected Acquisition Report (SAR 2015) estimates that the production, sustainment and support revenue generated by the global F-35 fleet through the life of the programme will be over one trillion US dollars. The UK manufactures approximately 15% of each F-35 aircraft, however as the F-35 programme is still determining its Global Support Solution footprint, we are not yet in a position to determine the potential revenue for UK industry.
The programme is expecting to procure over 3,000 aircraft across the F-35 Partner Nations. This will be further supplemented by Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. FMS engagement and future sales projections are managed by, and are a matter for, the US Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether an estimate has been made of the number of jobs likely to be created due to the completion of the station for High Speed 2 in Birmingham.
Andrew Jones
Birmingham and the West Midlands will be key beneficiaries of HS2, which will provide a springboard for regeneration and growth and support job creation.
The Department for Transport alongside the Department for Communities and Local Government are supporting Birmingham and have provided £2.5 million funding to support the development of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Growth Strategy. The strategy demonstrates the potential for HS2 to support the creation of 36,000 jobs around Curzon Street Station and 16,500 jobs around Birmingham Interchange Station.
In addition, HS2 Ltd expects the construction of HS2 to create 24,600 jobs, which will include many further opportunities for Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the dangers of money laundering being undertaken by means of anonymous online crowdfunding investment platforms.
Simon Kirby
All crowdfunding platforms fall within the FCA’s definition of regulated investments and are therefore subject to FCA rules. These rules require companies to maintain effective systems and controls to address the risk that they might be exploited by criminals. Where a firm’s systems and controls are not adequate, the FCA can and does take enforcement action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to change its policy on the use of genetically modified organisms in farming after the UK leaves the EU.
George Eustice
As part of the preparations for EU exit, the Government is considering possible future arrangements for the regulation of genetically modified organisms. The Government’s general view remains that policy and regulation in this area should be science-based and proportionate.