The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-07-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will ensure that the UK’s financial contribution to the Green Climate Fund is announced at the Climate Summit in September 2014.
Lynne Featherstone
The UK government considers all resource mobilisations in terms of impact and value for money for the British taxpayer. Any announcements are timed to encourage international donors to step up to the plate.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-01-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to ensure that consumers are fully informed of the manner in which rabbit meat on sale in England was raised.
George Eustice
Food labelling rules are set at EU level and require that food information must be accurate and must not mislead. This Government has pressed for better information for consumers during negotiations relating to food labelling in Europe.
The European Commission has no plans to introduce further production method labelling for rabbit or any other farmed game. However, the Commission is due to produce a report on country of origin labelling for meats such as rabbit in the first half of this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-01-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many rabbit farms are operating in England.
George Eustice
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) do not conduct routine welfare inspections of rabbit farms. There is no specific requirement to register rabbit farms with APHA.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-01-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will extend the ban on the use of unenriched battery cages for laying hens, as set out in Schedule 3 to the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2078), to quail egg production.
George Eustice
UK legislation prohibiting unenriched cages for laying hens implements EU Directive 99/74/EC which specifically protects birds of the species Gallus Gallus. There are no such requirements for quail set in EU law and we have no plans to introduce a similar measure for this or other species of egg-laying birds. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to fail to provide for the welfare needs of animals, including quail raised for egg production.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on ratification of the EU-Central America Association Agreement; when he expects the UK to ratify the agreement; and when the two remaining pillars will be applied.
Mr Hugo Swire
We strongly support the EU-Central American Association Agreement, which was signed in 2012. The Agreement supports our policy objectives for Central America via three important pillars of political dialogue, development cooperation and trade. We believe that these are the right tools to support economic growth, democracy and political stability in Central America and the UK has supported the Agreement’s progress through its negotiation, signature and conclusion stages.
The trade pillar of the Association Agreement has been provisionally applied since 2013. The two remaining pillars will be applied as soon as the remaining EU Member States ratify. I have not had any recent discussions with my EU counterparts on this issue. However, I have recently discussed the Agreement with a number of Ambassadors to the UK from Central American countries and have had the occasion to discuss it while visiting the region – most recently on my visits to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama last year. The preparatory work prior to ratification is ongoing. The next stage will be to seek parliamentary approval for a draft Order in Council that will specify the Association Agreement as an EU treaty. I expect a draft Order to be laid early in the next Parliament.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance he has issued to jobcentres on how claimant commitments should take into account the caring responsibilities of single parents.
Esther McVey
All Advisers have access to comprehensive and clear procedures, guidance and extensive learning which equips them to agree a Claimant Commitment, taking account of each claimant’s individual circumstances, including the caring responsibilities of single parents.
As with other claimants, lone parents are still expected to be Available and Actively Seeking Employment. However, there are restrictions that can be applied to the requirements of this group, in order to take into account their caring responsibilities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Prime Minister, what recent discussions he has had with his Australian counterpart on (a) climate change and (b) the agenda for the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Brisbane in November 2014.
Mr David Cameron
I discussed Climate Change policy with the Australian Prime Minister (Paul Abbott) in January this year, at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. We also discussed the G20 agenda and the need to use the G20 to secure continued and sustainable growth in the global economy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-06-12.
To ask the Prime Minister, what his objectives are for discussions on human rights with the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang during his visit to the UK this month.
Mr David Cameron
I plan to hold wide-ranging discussions with Premier Li. We have a foreign policy that is based on our values, and we consistently raise them with the Chinese government, including during high level dialogues.
I am very supportive of the business and human rights agenda, and action against climate change is a priority for the government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which Minister in his Department has responsibility for assessing the effect of his Department’s policies on the welfare of children.
Esther McVey
Each of the Department’s Ministers is responsible for assessing the effect of their policies on the welfare of children.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-05-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what international progress has been made towards establishing the Green Climate Fund ahead of the UN’s climate summit in Lima; and when she expects this fund to be ready for capitalisation.
Lynne Featherstone
The Green Climate Fund Board has agreed a list of eight operational policies needed to complete the design of the fund, with a view to taking decisions at the next Board meeting in May. The Board will also decide the next steps towards a contributions process, with a view to enabling pledges by the meeting in Lima.