Tag: Margaret Ferrier

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he plans to give effect to the provisions of the Scotland Act 2016 not yet in force.

David Mundell

We have made significant progress since the Scotland Act 2016 reached Royal Assent in March 2016 and a large number of provisions of the Act are already in force, giving the Scottish Parliament responsibilities in new policy areas. Most recently, new welfare powers came into force on 5 September 2016 and the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare continues to meet to discuss the implementation of welfare powers, as well as the commencement and implementation of remaining welfare provisions.

Implementation dates for a number of the tax and fiscal responsibilities in the Scotland Act 2016 are set out in the Fiscal Framework for Scotland.

We are working constructively with the Scottish Government on the commencement of sections of the Scotland Act 2016 and I will meet regularly with Derek Mackay MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution in the Scottish Government, to discuss progress. I will ensure the UK Parliament is kept informed about this important work.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2015 to Question 7426, how many events have been hosted by non-government bodies at Dover House since 21 July 2015.

David Mundell

There have been seven events hosted at Dover House by non-government bodies at Dover House since 21 July 2015

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the current threat from international terrorism to be downgraded from severe.

Mr John Hayes

The UK terrorism threat level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). JTAC operates independently of Ministers and considers all relevant information to assess the threat from international terrorism. Its judgements are made on the basis of the latest intelligence, and it keeps the threat level under constant review.

The current threat level is SEVERE, meaning that an attack is highly likely. Members of the public should remain alert to the danger of terrorism, but they should not let the fear of terrorism stop them from going about their day-to-day life as normal.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on advertising, marketing and external communications in each year since 2010.

David Mundell

The Scotland Office spend on advertising, marketing and external communications since 2010-11 is shown below:

	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Spend	£7,357	–	–	–	£41,155

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the estimated total cost to the public purse is of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information review of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Matthew Hancock

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10764.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will hold an inquiry into regulation of non-print media.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Ofcom is the independent body that regulates TV, radio and video on demand services. The Broadcasting Code contains rules those TV and radio broadcasters must follow. There are separate rules for video on demand services which include TV catch up, online film services and libraries of archive content. Government considers this regulatory system is working well and has no plans to hold an inquiry.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) of his Department’s civilian staff based in the UK, (b) military personnel based in the UK, (c) of his Department’s civilian staff based in Saudi Arabia and (d) military personnel based in Saudi Arabia were employed by the (i) Saudi Arabian National Guard Communications Project and (ii) Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Project on 1 April in each of the last six years.

Michael Fallon

The number of civilian and military personnel based in the UK and Saudi Arabia who were employed by the Saudi Arabian National Guard Communications Project (SANGCOM) and the Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Projects (MODSAP) on 1 April in each of the last six years is shown in the table below. The Saudi Arabian Government reimburses the UK MOD for these staff costs and there is, therefore, no cost to the UK taxpayer.

Manpower as at 1 April 2016	SANGCOM Project	MODSAP
UK-based Civilian Staff	2	73
UK-based Military Staff	0	31
Saudi Arabia-based Civilian Staff	31	37
Saudi Arabia-based Military Staff	20	68
Manpower as at 1 April 2015
UK-based Civilian Staff	2	71
UK-based Military Staff	0	35
Saudi Arabia-based Civilian Staff	34	33
Saudi Arabia-based Military Staff	20	61
Manpower as at 1 April 2014
UK-based Civilian Staff	1	69
UK-based Military Staff	0	42
Saudi Arabia-based Civilian Staff	28	32
Saudi Arabia-based Military Staff	20	50
Manpower as at 1 April 2013
UK-based Civilian Staff	1	69
UK-based Military Staff	0	44
Saudi Arabia-based Civilian Staff	28	31
Saudi Arabia-based Military Staff	21	46
Manpower as at 1 April 2012
UK-based Civilian Staff	1	69
UK-based Military Staff	0	44
Saudi Arabia-based Civilian Staff	26	34
Saudi Arabia-based Military Staff	19	48
Manpower as at 1 April 2011
UK-based Civilian Staff	1	75
UK-based Military Staff	0	46
Saudi Arabia-based Civilian Staff	21	32
Saudi Arabia-based Military Staff	19	60

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the remit is of the Gulf Strategy Unit; when the Unit was established; how many staff the Unit is intended to employ; and what the proposed budget for the Unit is.

Ben Gummer

The Gulf Strategy Integrated Delivery Team was established in 2015.

Its remit is to coordinate the Government’s strategic approach to UK engagement with the Gulf States as set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.

It employs three full-time and one part-time Government employees. One is military and three are civilian.

Administration costs were £70,004 in the 2015-16 financial year and the budget for administration costs in the 2016-17 financial year is £423,000. The 2015-16 figure reflects the fact the unit was established later in the financial year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-11-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Financial Statement of 8 July 2015, Official Report, column 327, when the consultation on extending the deadline for new cars and motorbikes to have their first MOT test from three to four years will begin; who will be invited to respond to that consultation; and when that consultation will end.

Andrew Jones

The consultation‎ is expected to be published in early 2016 and is likely to run for 12 weeks. It will be a public consultation and anyone will be able to respond. It is likely that the consultation will be brought to the attention of a number of specific groups, including motoring organisations, MOT industry groups, commercial vehicle trade associations and road safety organisations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the introduction of the Work and Health Programme in Scotland.

David Mundell

I and my officials have regular engagement with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions on a range of important matters, including the rollout of universal credit and fulfilling our commitment to devolve employment support currently delivered by the Work Programme and Work Choice. In addition, I also discuss Welfare related issues in my regular meetings with Local Authorities across Scotland.