Tag: Kirsten Oswald

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-07-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to address the downgrading of the UK’s rating for energy security in the World Energy Council’s 2015 Energy Trilemma Index, published in November 2015.

Jesse Norman

The Government takes energy security very seriously, and our energy security has not been downgraded. According to the World Energy Council’s Energy Trilemma index, the UK scored an ‘A’ for the energy security element and increased its country ranking for energy security from 9th in 2014 to 4th in 2015 after there was a downgrade on a point of Energy Equity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 9 July 2015 to Question 5695, on Defence Fire and Rescue Service pensions, what progress has been made in discussions with the trade unions.

Mark Lancaster

Her Majesty’s Treasury is reviewing the Enhanced Effective Pension Age and Effective Pension Age for Ministry of Defence Police Officers. We have since been advised that this review extends to Defence Fire and Rescue Service personnel. We are anticipating a decision by 30 November 2016. This means that discussions with the trade unions are on hold until the review concludes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2015-12-08.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the provisions in the Financial Conduct Authority handbook IPRU-INV sch13 which allows independent financial advisers and insurers to retrospectively exclude failed schemes from an IFA’s professional indemnity insurance.

Harriett Baldwin

Treasury Ministers and officials occasionally receive representations on regulatory issues.

As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Treasury’s practice to provide details of all such discussions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2015-12-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to implement the review of staffing and deployment agreed with trades unions in February 2014.

Andrew Jones

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regularly shares staffing data with the Trade Union Side (TUS) and has met them on many occasions since February 2014 to discuss matters including, but not limited to, staffing and deployment. A timeline was agreed with the TUS for these discussions to conclude on 23 September 2015 in order for them to ballot members on the position reached. Despite the final position on these talks being rejected by the TUS DVSA offered to continue discussions, on an ongoing basis, about staffing and deployment.

DVSA is currently engaged in talks via ACAS with the Prospect Union, who have suspended industrial action, and hopes to be able to do the same with the Public and Commercial Services Union.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) date and (b) remit was of his authorisation to use RAF Lakenheath as a base to carry out airstrikes in Libya.

Michael Fallon

Authorisation for the United States to use UK bases to launch the airstrike against a Daesh training camp in Libya was given on 18 February 2016. Authorisation would be required for any operations of this nature involving the use of UK bases.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what standing procedures his Department has for engaging other departments and the devolved administrations in promoting delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Mark Lancaster

A feature of the Armed Forces Covenant is the Covenant Reference Group (CRG) which is chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and includes representatives from all of the main Government Departments and Devolved Administrations. The CRG meets regularly to guide and direct work on the Armed Forces Covenant. The CRG also includes the three Service Family Federations, COBSEO (the Confederation of Service Charities) and other charities. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also holds regular meetings with Devolved Administrations specifically to take forward Covenant work. The MOD also works closely with other Government Departments through the CRG Ministerial Sub-committee to meet their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and in much of their day to day work.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the funding provided for research into the use of laser treatment for cancers from the science budget in the last five years.

Joseph Johnson

Research into cancer involving proton therapy and laser treatment falls within the remit of the Research Councils.

I have asked the Chair of the Research Councils UK Strategic Executive to write to the hon. Member and I will place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to purchase drones to detect mines and improvised explosive devices.

Penny Mordaunt

The merits of the use of drones to detect mines and improvised explosive devices have been recognised by the UK’s Armed Forces and there are a number of ongoing research projects which seek to refine possible techniques.

While a number of technical challenges remain in integrating more complex detectors and sensors onto Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), there is potential for a UAS to be procured in future which could be used to detect mines and improvised explosive devices.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date and in which location his Department last met with AdvanFort, the operator of the Seaman Guard Ohio; and what subjects were discussed at that meeting.

Mr Hugo Swire

I spoke most recently to AdvanFort’s owner Samir Farajallah on 3 May by telephone concerning the detained men’s situation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-06-08.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to prevent regulated financial intermediaries from promoting products in the unregulated sector by implying that victims of misselling or fraud will have recourse to the protections offered by regulation.

Harriett Baldwin

The issues raised are a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who are operationally independent from Government.

The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.