Tag: Louise Ellman

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2015-11-18.

To ask the Attorney General, whether he plans to change the arrangements or level of funding for specialist rape and sexual offence prosecutors; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Buckland

Any consideration of future funding proposals would form part of the Spending Review which will be announced in due course.

However, the CPS has been refocusing its existing resources to support Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units, including through a recruitment exercise to increase the size of the units and an extensive training programme to further support staff within them. The CPS is also working closely with the police through a high-level RASSO Steering Group to further ensure the consistent application of policies, including in relation to the seeking and provision of early investigative advice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost of tunnelling between Darenth and South Ockenden as an option for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Andrew Jones

Two long tunnels were considered and evaluated as part of the options for a new Lower Thames Crossing scheme. The long tunnel options connected Darenth to South Ockenden either through junctions 2 and 30 on the M25 or by direct connection to the motorway beyond the junctions.

The cost of these tunnel options was estimated at £6.6 billion compared with £4.3 billion for the proposed option, described in the consultation material, and therefore these options were not taken forward as they did not represent good value for money.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2015-12-01.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of his plans for HM Revenue and Customs offices in Liverpool on jobs and services in that area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Gauke

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced the planned locations of its future Regional Centres based on a number of key principles. In addition to cost, HMRC has taken account of the quality of local transport links, the local labour market and future workforce supply, and the need to retain the staff and skills they need to continue their transformation. These changes will reduce HMRC’s estates costs by around £100 million a year by 2025. HMRC intends to have extensive discussions with all our staff to keep them fully informed of their options as the programme continues.

HMRC views Liverpool as a key site for customer service activity. The Department will be making a long term investment in the City and is planning to open a Regional Centre there from 2018/19 employing between 2,800 and 3,100 employees.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-05-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to meet with Women Against State Pension Inequality campaigners; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson

The Secretary of State has met with a number of his constituents who have raised this issue, and with Tim Loughton, who has been involved in the WASPI campaign. He has made clear that he will not be bringing forward further concessions or changes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has made to the Danish government on the death of Stephen O’Malley since the adjournment debate of 25 November 2015.

Justin Tomlinson

A transcript of the debate was passed to the Danish authorities, via the Danish Deputy Chief Prosecutor, on 27 November 2015.

The Danish authorities have since confirmed that their State Attorney is reviewing the case, and is expected to make a decision on whether to re-open the case or agree that the original findings were correct, in January 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of UK withdrawal from the EU for the rice milling industry.

George Eustice

We are preparing for negotiations to exit the EU. As part of these preparations, we will consider future global trading relationships and the impacts on different agricultural sectors

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what tests were undertaken by (a) the Vehicle Certification Agency, (b) the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and (c) any other testing authority as part of in-service emissions testing in each of the last 10 years; and which models were tested in each such year.

Andrew Jones

Tests which were undertaken by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) include the in service light duty testing programme, which were conducted in accordance with the New European Drive Cycle requirements.

Aftermarket alterations tests were conducted in accordance with the European Transient Cycle and North London Delivery Truck Cycle. Light duty emissions followed the New European Drive Cycle requirements.

The models that were tested by VCA in the last ten years can be found in the table below.

Vehicle Model	Year of testing
Audi A4 Petrol EIV	2005/06
BMW 320TD Diesel EIV	2005/06
Fiat Punto 1.3l Multijet Diesel EIV	2005/06
Ford Fiesta 1.6l Petrol EIV	2005/06
Mazda 6 TS 2.0l EIV	2005/06
Mercedes A170 Diesel Euro III	2005/06
Mercedes C220 2.2l Diesel EIV	2005/06
Mitsubishi Carisma Petrol Euro III	2005/06
Mitsubishi Spacestar 1.6l Petrol EIV	2005/06
Toyota Corolla 1995cc Diesel EIV	2005/06
Vauxhall Vectra 1.8l 16V Petrol EIV	2005/06
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6l 16V Petrol EIV	2005/06
VW Golf 2.0l TDI Diesel IV	2005/06
Audi A4 Petrol EIV	2006/07
BMW 320TD Diesel EIV	2006/07
Fiat Punto 1.3l Multijet Diesel EIV	2006/07
Mada RX8 2.6l Petrol EIV	2006/07
Toyota Corolla 1995cc Diesel EIV	2006/07
Vauxhall Vectra 1.8l 16V Petrol EIV	2006/07
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6l 16V Petrol EIV	2006/07
VW Golf 2.0l TDI Diesel IV	2006/07
Fiat Punto 1.3l Multijet Diesel EIV	2007/08
Ford 1.8ltr Connect	2007/08
Ford Focus 1.6ltr	2007/08
LDV Maxus 2.5ltr 120PS	2007/08
Peugeot 307 1.6ltr	2007/08
Peugeot Partner 1.6HDI	2007/08
Porsche Boxster 3.2l EIV	2007/08
Renault Clio 1.5D 86bhp	2007/08
VW Golf 2.0l TDI Diesel IV	2007/08
VW Transporter 2.5ltr 130PS	2007/08
Alfa Romeo 1.9l TDI EIV	2008/09
BMW 523i 2.5l EIV	2008/09
BMW Mini One D	2008/09
BMW X5 3.0l TD EIV	2008/09
Ford Focus 1.6l TD EIV	2008/09
Renault Scenic 2.0l Dci 150 EIV	2008/09
Smart FourTwo 698cc EIV	2008/09
Subaru Forester 2.0l EIV	2008/09
Vauxhall Astra Twintop 1.8l EIV	2008/09
VW Golf 2.0l TDI Diesel IV	2008/09
Citreon C3 1.6l EIV	2009/10
Ford Focus ST 2.5l EIV	2009/10
Honda Civic ES IMA Hybrid 1.3l EIV	2009/10
Honda FR-V 2.2l TD EIV	2009/10
Jaguar X Type 2.2l TD EIV	2009/10
Kia Rio 1.5l TD EIV	2009/10
Skoda Octavia Tdi 2.0l EIV	2009/10
Toyota Yaris Tdi 1.4l EIV	2009/10
VW Golf 2.0l TDI Diesel IV	2009/10
VW Touran 1.4l EIV	2009/10
Chevrolet Matiz 0.8l EIV	2010/11
Fiat 500 1.2l EIV	2010/11
Ford Mondeo 2.2l Duratorq EIV	2010/11
Honda FR-V 2.2l TD EIV	2010/11
Hyundai i10 1.1l EIV	2010/11
Jaguar X Type 2.2l TD EIV	2010/11
Kia Rio 1.5l TD EIV	2010/11
Smart FourTwo 1.0l EIV	2010/11
Vauxhall Corsa 1.3l CDTi EIV	2010/11
Vauxhall Vectra 1.9l CDTi EIV	2010/11

As reported previously, following the work in 2010-2011, the focus of emissions testing changed to consider aftermarket alteration of vehicles, both light and heavy duty.

The vehicles tested were

Light Duty

Peugeot RCZ	2013/14
Ford C-Max	2013/14

Heavy Duty

Mercedes Actros	2012/13
DAF CF 85	2014/15

I would also refer the Hon Member to my answer of 20 January 2016, UIN 22742 (http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=22742) for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which tabled the number of MOT in service emission tests conducted in the last 10 years. The models subject to this test would cover every manufacturers model range subject to the MOT test during this period.

The Department for Transport does not hold information on work carried out by other testing authorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to support projects that encourage co-operation and co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Rory Stewart

The UK is supportive of coexistence (people-to-people) programmes which bring together Palestinians and Israelis and foster inter-community understanding. The Secretary of State is currently assessing options for providing further support to coexistence programmes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any action was taken by (a) the Vehicle Certification Agency, (b) the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and (c) any other testing authority against vehicle manufacturers as a result of in-service emissions testing in each of the last 10 years; and what (i) penalties and (ii) other sanctions were imposed on vehicle manufacturers as a result of in-service emissions testing in each such year.

Andrew Jones

Action taken by the Vehicle Certification Agency is below;

In the last 10 years, two models failed the tests. They were:

• Mitsubishi Carisma Petrol Euro III (2005/2006 test)
• BMW Mini One D (2008/2009 test)

In-service testing requires a minimum of three tests in order to achieve meaningful statistical results, although up to 20 vehicles may need to be tested. Where a fail decision is reached the series production is deemed to have failed, and the Approval Authority for the vehicle should be contacted to inform them of the test result.

In the Case of BMW Mini the KBA (German approval authority) were informed to enable them to take action. In the case of the Mitsubishi the manufacturer was contacted directly and a number of anomalies were found with the test vehicle that could account for the failed result. In this case, the approval authority was again the KBA. Following further discussion with the manufacturer, no further action was taken.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has not taken any action against any vehicle manufacturer as a result of in service emission testing during the past 10 years.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Ellman on 2016-10-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to alter the terms of reference of the Expert Working Panel Group Inquiry into Primodos.

Nicola Blackwood

The terms of reference of the Commission on Human Medicines’ Expert Working Group on Hormone Pregnancy Tests were reviewed by the Group at their first meeting on 14 October 2015, endorsed by the Commission on Human Medicines and formally adopted by all members, invited experts and observers of the Expert Working Group at their second meeting on 4 December 2015.

On 13 October 2016 at a Backbench Business Committee debate secured by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hormone Pregnancy Tests, the Government committed to respond in detail to the concerns raised by the APPG, which include the terms of reference of the Expert Working Group on Hormone Pregnancy Tests, and to then meet with the APPG to discuss these concerns.