Tag: Jim Cunningham

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-05-19.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of hotel bookings his Department made for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in each of the last five years.

Matthew Hancock

Details of Ministerial overseas travel, and senior officials’ business expenses are published on a quarterly basis. The remaining information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-05-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many visits (a) by Ministers and (b) officials from her Department were made to Coventry in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb

The table below shows the total number of visits made by Department for Education ministers to Coventry for each of the last five years.

Year	Total Number of Visits by Ministers
2011-2012	3
2012-2013	3
2013-2014	1
2014-2015	1
2015-2016	3

We do not hold data centrally on the number of visits made by civil servants to particular locations. This could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-06-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the amount spent by his Department on audio-visual systems intended for buses in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones

The Department has not funded audio/visual equipment on buses, but we understand the importance of accessible on-board information to many passengers, including those who are visually impaired, and have supported initiatives to develop innovative and low-cost approaches for delivering it.

For instance, we worked with the Transport Systems Catapult on the All Aboard Competition, resulting in the development of a prototype vibrating wristband which alerts users to upcoming stops.

Many bus operators have already embraced audible and visual next stop announcements, and I encourage the wider industry to consider the potential benefit for all of its customers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-06-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent assessment she has made of the effect on the UK offshore oil and gas industry workforce of the withdrawal of the Super Puma airframes from commercial operation.

Andrea Leadsom

The withdrawal from service of most of the Super Puma helicopter models followed the tragic crash in Norway with the loss of 13 lives on 29 April this year. We are confident that the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board will determine the cause of the crash and that the UK regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, will then decide on the appropriate longer term action to take. It was entirely appropriate for the relevant Super Puma models to be immediately withdrawn from service by the CAA in the light of the circumstances of the accident, and this should have given assurance to the UK offshore oil and gas industry workforce about the regulatory controls in place. Oil and Gas UK, the main trade association for the industry, has formed a Helicopter Resilience Group with members from industry to discuss how logistics can be managed more effectively.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2016 to Question 40701, what estimate he has made of the number of housing association properties sold through right-to-buy which have been replaced since the launch of that policy.

Brandon Lewis

I refer the hon Member to my response of 29 June to Question UIN 40701.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-07-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the threat of ash dieback disease to biodiversity across the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart

A series of research projects, jointly funded by Defra, has looked into the ecological impacts of ash dieback and investigated possible woodland management options which might ameliorate the problems caused by ash dieback. The results from this work have been published^[1]. The research found that there are tree species that share ecological traits or support some of the species associated with ash trees. However, there is no single tree species that would be able to fill the niche provided by ash in terms of both its ecosystem characteristics and biodiversity contribution.

The Forestry Commission provides advice to woodland managers about how best to manage and adapt to ash dieback, for example, by planting a variety of tree species as diversity brings resilience to pests and diseases.

[1] http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5273931279761408

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to safeguard the status of UK nationals studying in other member states of the EEA as a result of the outcome of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.

Joseph Johnson

The EU referendum result has no immediate effect on students abroad or those applying for 2016/17. Payments will be made in the usual way. Access after we leave the EU is a matter for the forthcoming negotiations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-09-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many British nationals are currently detained in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We do not provide information about numbers of British nationals detained in a country when the low numbers involved may lead to individuals being identifiable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-09-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military personnel are based in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Penning

There are around 100 military personnel based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including at the Defence section within the British Embassy Riyadh; providing mentoring and advice to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, as part of the British Military Mission to the Saudi Arabian National Guard; personnel working on the Saudi Arabia National Guard Communications Project to acquire and support, modern communications capabilities for the Saudi Arabian National Guard and personnel working on the Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Projects, supporting the United Kingdom’s commitment to the defence of Saudi Arabia through the supply of modern military aircraft, naval vessels, weapons and associated support services to the Saudi Armed Forces. We also have a small number of liaison personnel who work at the Saudi MOD and Operational Centres. We do not discuss specific numbers for reasons of safeguarding operational security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-09-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received from football supporters clubs in England and Wales on whether the Fit and Proper Person Test used by the Football League and Premier League is appropriate and effective; and if she will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch

Any concerns to my Department (DCMS) regarding football’s rules and regulations, including the application of the Owners and Directors Test (formerly Fit and Proper Persons Test) are referred to the Football Association or Leagues. It is however worth noting that as well as a commitment to keep the Test under constant review, the Football Authorities have also said they will meet with supporter representative groups to listen to any concerns they have over current or prospective owners. The intention is set out in the Government Expert Work Group’s report on Football Supporter Ownership and Engagement.