Tag: Ian Lucas

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the security and humanitarian situation in Kessab.

Hugh Robertson

We remain deeply concerned about the safety of all in Kessab and in all areas affected by the conflict. We believe that the majority of Kessab’s inhabitants, including most of the ethnic Armenian population, left the town because of fighting in the area. They join the more than 9 million Syrians of all faiths and ethnicities who have been driven from their homes by the ongoing conflict.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-03-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on the payment of pensions into post office card accounts.

Steve Webb

The Department pays benefits and pensions by Direct Payment into a bank, building society, credit union or Post Office card account.

The Post Office card account is a very simple account with limited functionality. Our policy has always been clear that the best option, especially for people of working age, is an account that can accept payments from employers and has transactional facilities such as direct debits for the payment of bills and housing costs.

The Department is currently in discussions with Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish government on the security and humanitarian situation in Kessab.

Hugh Robertson

We have regular discussions with the Turkish authorities regarding the appalling situation in Syria. We work closely with Turkey to coordinate the substantial humanitarian effort in the region and we welcome their assistance in facilitating aid delivery. Turkey is also a valued security partner of the UK. We work closely with Turkey to restrict the ability of foreign fighters to cross into Syria. We will continue to engage with Turkey on these important topics.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-03-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Executive on the closure of the Independent Living Fund.

Mike Penning

The devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland have been informed of the decision to close the Independent Living Fund on 30 June 2015. I will be writing to Ministers with further details shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-04-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Syrian National Coalition.

Hugh Robertson

We have daily discussions with the Syrian National Coalition, most notably with its leadership through the UK Special Representative to Syria, Jon Wilks, but also at Ministerial level. We are in regular touch with the National Coalition representative in London. We have supported the National Coalition since its foundation in 2012 and have consistently encouraged it to reach out to all Syrians as a democratic, inclusive and unified organisation. This has included practical support to the National Coalition, including on strategic communications and design of internal structures and organisation. The UK is a leading member of the “London 11”, the core group of the Friends of Syria, who are the National Coalition’s strongest supporters. Most recently we hosted a meeting of senior officials from the London 11 in London on 7 March.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-03-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on the payment of benefits into post office card accounts.

Steve Webb

The Department pays benefits and pensions by Direct Payment into a bank, building society, credit union or Post Office card account.

The Post Office card account is a very simple account with limited functionality. Our policy has always been clear that the best option, especially for people of working age, is an account that can accept payments from employers and has transactional facilities such as direct debits for the payment of bills and housing costs.

The Department is currently in discussions with Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-04-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of how representative the Syrian National Council is of all Syrian opposition groups.

Hugh Robertson

The Syrian National Council is one part of the National Coalition. I have called for women, in particular, to be represented more in the National Coalition. I am pleased that the National Coalition has made strenuous efforts to broaden its membership to attract all sections of Syrian society, including ethnic and religious minorities and women, stating that it is a Coalition for all Syrians. The most recent organisation to join its ranks is the Kurdish National Council. We continue to work with the National Coalition in their efforts to deliver more services on the ground through the Interim Government.