Tag: Ian Murray

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions the Government has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on the future of higher education research funding in Scotland after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker

There is no immediate change to the rights of UK universities and their students and staff from EU countries. UK researchers can still apply for Horizon 2020 projects. The Treasury will underwrite the payment of such awards, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU. The Prime Minister has made it very clear that it will take time for the UK government to agree its position for the negotiations. As part of this, the government will of course want to engage fully with the devolved administrations and listen to their views.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Royal Colleges on the devolution of abortion legislation to the Scottish Parliament.

Jane Ellison

I have had discussions with Ministers on the Smith Commission Agreement and the Scotland Bill. The Secretary of State for Scotland has spoken to women’s groups in Scotland about devolution of abortion legislation, and Department of Health officials have had informal discussions and communication with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on this matter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she last met the British Hydropower Association to discuss the calculation of feed-in tariffs for the hydropower industry; and what recent representations she has received on this matter.

Andrea Leadsom

The BHA attended a round table I hosted in September 2015 to discuss the feed-in tariff (FIT) review. My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the BHA in her previous role as Energy Minister in March 2015. DECC officials have met the BHA several times during the course of the FIT review consultation and members of the BHA contributed to a number of stakeholder meetings and discussions on the detail of the FIT review proposals during the same period. DECC officials have met the BHA again since publication of the Government response on the FIT review to discuss the methodology for setting feed-in tariffs for hydropower plants. The BHA have since written to the Secretary of State to raise concerns about the outcome of the FIT review for hydropower; we are considering the points raised and will respond shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of assessment reports conducted by contractors for Scottish claimants of (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments were returned by his Department as not being of a sufficient standard to enable a decision to be made in each of the last four quarters for which information is available.

Priti Patel

In each of the last four quarters for which information is available, less than 0.1% of all Employment and Support Allowance and less than 0.1% of all Personal Independent Payment assessment reports completed in Scotland have been returned to the provider for rework, meaning that the report has been deemed not fit for purpose by the Department.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions took place between December 2015 and May 2016 between Ministers and (b) officials of her Department with the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Law Society of Scotland on plans to widen asylum dispersal in Scotland; and whether any further such discussions are planned.

James Brokenshire

The Home Office is currently exploring the widening of dispersal agreements across all Scottish Local Authorities on a voluntary basis.

Once new dispersal agreements have been agreed and the location and likely demand for legal services is known, we will seek to meet with the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Scottish Law Society on the proposals. Similar discussions will also be held with Migrant Help and other Non-Government Organisations to discuss provision of service and support.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the timetable for work to commence on building the new Type 26 Frigate on the skills base in the affected shipyards.

Mr Philip Dunne

I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave during Defence questions in the House on 27 June 2016 to the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Margaret Ferrier).

The Government have already invested £1.6 billion in the Type 26 programme. We will only enter into a contract once we are confident of the delivery schedule and the ability of the contractors to meet that schedule on a cost effective basis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions the Government has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on access for Scottish businesses to the single market after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr David Jones

The Prime Minister has committed to full engagement with the Devolved Administrations to get the best possible deal for all parts of our United Kingdom as we leave the EU. The Secretary of State for Exiting the EU has spoken with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about developing a UK approach for EU exit. He has also met with Michael Russell, the Scottish Government Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, to discuss the work of the Department for Exiting the EU. We will give the Devolved Administrations every opportunity to have their say as we form our negotiating strategy and we will look at any suggestions that they put forward.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on City Deals for (a) Aberdeen, (b) Edinburgh and (c) Inverness.

David Mundell

I have regular discussions with my Ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including City Deals.

Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness all submitted City Deal proposals to the UK and Scottish Government on 4 September. The Scotland Office is working with the Department for Communities and Local Government to study the proposals in depth, as well as discussing them with the Scottish Government to achieve outcomes that benefit both Scotland and the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how the response provided by the British Hydropower Association to her Department’s Consultation on feed-in tariffs was taken into account by her Department in the assumptions used to determine that hydropower load factors are site specific.

Andrea Leadsom

The load factor data used to calculate hydro generation tariffs were drawn from individual sites but then aggregated to calculate a load factor range on which to base the tariffs. This included data collected by external consultants and evidence submitted by various individuals and organisations, including the British Hydropower Association, in response to the consultation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of assessment reports conducted by contractors for Scottish claimants of (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments did not meet the contractual standard required in each of the last four quarters for which information is available.

Priti Patel

The information you have requested Is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.