Tag: Margaret Ferrier

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the contribution of the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy of 3 December 2015, Official Report, column 510, what the purpose was of the two one-off grants paid to MG Alba.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The two one-off grants to MG Alba were provided to support the production of high-quality Gaelic language content, including original drama, and to continue its valued services for Gaelic speakers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many recruitment and employment agencies his Department has used to source staff in each year since 2010-11.

David Mundell

The Scotland Office used two recruitment agencies to source staff since 2010-11.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2016 to Question 23641, which of the five findings contained in the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator assessment of Exercise Senator 2011 has not been formally closed out.

Mr Philip Dunne

The finding not yet formally closed out in the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) assessment of Exercise Senator 2011 called for a review of the hazard assessment for the transport operation. This is to ensure that protection measures remain proportionate to the risk and continue to be based on up-to-date scientific and regulatory advice. DNSR continues to have confidence in the adequacy of the arrangements currently in place, as has been demonstrated at emergency response exercises, but believes it is timely to conduct a review.

We currently expect the finding to be closed out within the next 12 months.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-03-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to lower the blood alcohol limit for drivers from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml.

Andrew Jones

The Government has no plans to lower the drink drive limit. We believe that rigorous enforcement and serious penalties for drink drivers are a more effective deterrent than changing the drink driving limit.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information the Government holds on stockpiles of cluster munitions in countries other than the UK.

Mr Philip Dunne

At least 108 nations are signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely hold information on whether non-signatories possess cluster munitions and their stockpiles.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK has provided any specific training to the Special Investigations Unit in Bahrain since it was established in 2013.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK’s package of technical assistance to support reform in Bahrain began in 2012. Much of it has focused on assisting Bahrain build effective and accountable institutions, assisting the government in ensuring rule of law, police and justice are compliant with international standards and best practice. The specific support that we have provided, and continue to provide, to the Special Investigations Unit has been to assist them to build their capacity to make it more effective in carrying out better investigations and, therefore, build public confidence in the institution itself.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps his Department has taken to promote use of the UK Guarantees Scheme in Scotland.

David Mundell

The HM Treasury Infrastructure support Guarantee scheme has been available for nearly three years and is well understood in the market by key infrastructure players.

A range of projects have already been supported in Scotland, including Ineos Petrochemicals in Grangemouth and a Biomass project in Speyside with others currently participating in the process. Those interested in the scheme should contact IUKfinance@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2015 to Question 13962, when he most recently made representations to his Ethiopian counterpart on the detention of Andargachew Tsege.

James Duddridge

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Philip Hammond) wrote to Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros on 10 December about Andargachew Tsege’s continued detention. He made clear that Mr Tsege should have access to a lawyer, and be allowed to challenge his detention through a legal process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect of the increase in state pension age on women resident in Scotland who were born in the 1950s; and when the last such discussion was.

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 State Pension. The hon Member will be aware of the parliamentary debate that took place on 1 February where my hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara) set out the Government’s position on this issue.

State Pension age changes are part of a wider package of reforms being implemented by this Government. All women affected by faster equalisation under the Pensions Act 2011 will reach State Pension age after the introduction of the new State Pension. The new State Pension will benefit many women who have been historically worse off under the current system, with 650,000 women receiving £8 more per week (on average) in the first 10 years, due to the new State Pension valuation of their National Insurance record.

Encouraging and enabling those who can work to work for longer is a Government priority. In work, out of work and disability benefits are available for those individuals who are unable to work. Those who have caring responsibilities may be eligible for National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, on what date he last visited a food bank in Scotland.

David Mundell

I have not visited a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland.