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 make representations to the government of Bahrain about the death of Abdulaziz al-Abbar.
Hugh Robertson
We are saddened to hear about the death of Abdulaziz Al- Abbar. We encourage the authorities to carry out a timely and thorough independent investigation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-06-26.
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 (a) April 2014 and (b) May 2014.
Stephen Hammond
Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk assessed levels during:
a) April 2014 – 40 occasions out of 60 shifts
b) May 2014 – 22 occasions out of 62 shifts
Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty’s Coastguard is using 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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-06-26.
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 (a) April 2014 and (b) May 2014.
Stephen Hammond
Stornoway Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk assessed levels during:
a) April 2014 – 12 occasions out of 60 shifts
b) May 2014 – 14 occasions out of 62 shifts
Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty’s Coastguard is using 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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-06-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Liverpool was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in (a) April 2014 and (b) May 2014.
Stephen Hammond
Liverpool Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk assessed levels during:
a) April 2014 – 30 occasions out of 60 shifts
b) May 2014 – 6 occasions out of 62 shifts
Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty’s Coastguard is using 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.
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.