Tag: Katy Clark

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-06-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Embassy in Saudi Arabia provides support and protection to human rights activists in that country.

Hugh Robertson

Our policy on human rights defenders is guided by the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (1998) and the EU Guidelines. Embassy officials have regular contact with human rights defenders. It is, however, often the view of the defenders that involvement with foreign representatives and organisations can make their task of pressing for reform more difficult. Nevertheless, we work to align our priorities with theirs and continue to press for reform.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-06-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise the case of Fowzan al-Harbi with the Saudi Arabian government.

Hugh Robertson

We are aware of the case of Fowzan al-Harbi. We maintain a regular dialogue with the Saudi authorities on a range of human rights issues, including of human rights defenders.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to increase the island fuel rebate.

Priti Patel

The Government keeps all elements of the island rural fuel rebate scheme under review. In 2013, the Government published a report which found the rebate to be effectively reducing prices for motorists.

The UK required EU approval to introduce the scheme. The EU permission for the island scheme is in place until 2017. Ahead of the scheme’s expiry in 2017, the Government will consider the case for applying to the EU for renewal, along with the case for altering aspects of the scheme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last reviewed the level of the island fuel rebate.

Priti Patel

The Government keeps all elements of the island rural fuel rebate scheme under review. In 2013, the Government published a report which found the rebate to be effectively reducing prices for motorists.

The UK required EU approval to introduce the scheme. The EU permission for the island scheme is in place until 2017. Ahead of the scheme’s expiry in 2017, the Government will consider the case for applying to the EU for renewal, along with the case for altering aspects of the scheme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Stornoway was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in January 2015.

Mr John Hayes

Where there are specific issues at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Her Majesty’s Coastguard uses the current long established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

These historic risk assessed watch level assessments at MRCCs err strongly on the side of caution. As each MRCC joins the evolving national network the number of Coastguards at any of the individual centres becomes less significant. The flexibility of the new arrangements means that it is more important to consider the number of Coastguards available on the growing network.

Based on the risk assessment which characterised the previous model, during January 2015 Stornoway MRCC was staffed below risk assessed levels on 31 occasions out of 62 shifts, and Belfast MRCC was staffed below risk assessed levels on 25 occasions out of 62 shifts.

Work continues on the fresh appraisal I have asked for on the relationship between the available levels of resource and need in the light of the benefit of the new structure.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Belfast was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in January 2015.

Mr John Hayes

Where there are specific issues at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Her Majesty’s Coastguard uses the current long established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

These historic risk assessed watch level assessments at MRCCs err strongly on the side of caution. As each MRCC joins the evolving national network the number of Coastguards at any of the individual centres becomes less significant. The flexibility of the new arrangements means that it is more important to consider the number of Coastguards available on the growing network.

Based on the risk assessment which characterised the previous model, during January 2015 Stornoway MRCC was staffed below risk assessed levels on 31 occasions out of 62 shifts, and Belfast MRCC was staffed below risk assessed levels on 25 occasions out of 62 shifts.

Work continues on the fresh appraisal I have asked for on the relationship between the available levels of resource and need in the light of the benefit of the new structure.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the change in the level of real wages in Scotland since May 2010.

David Mundell

Our economy is recovering from the deepest recession since ONS records began in 1948.

Thanks to this government’s long-term economic plan we have seen average regular pay rising faster over the last year than inflation. Furthermore, business surveys expect the steady rise in real wages to continue.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether Israeli military action during Operation Protective Edge has complied with its international legal obligations.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have not yet made a full assessment. We continue to monitor events in Gaza and Israel carefully and call on all sides to ensure that their actions are in line with International Humanitarian Law. International Humanitarian Law requires all sides to distinguish between military and civilian targets and enable unhindered humanitarian access. It is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law and are calibrated to avoid any further civilian casualties.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will investigate whether any UK manufactured weapons or components have been used by Israeli military forces during Operation Protective Edge.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We continue to monitor the situation in Gaza and Israel carefully to ensure that all our licensing decisions on weapons and components to Israel remain consistent with our human rights commitments and all applicable criteria. We currently have no plans to undertake a more comprehensive investigation into whether any UK manufactured weapons or components have been used by Israeli military forces during Operation Protective Edge.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the UK is taking to ensure that all Palestinian civilians made homeless during Operation Protective Edge will have their homes rebuilt as swiftly as possible.

Mr Desmond Swayne

This conflict has taken a terrible toll. Initial damage assessments point to destruction on an unprecedented scale, with more than 100,000 Gazans left homeless. Reconstruction will require a durable ceasefire, an agreed approach on security, predictable and sustained access for people and goods in and out of Gaza, and good governance arrangements. The UK continues to work with international partners to this end.