Tag: Margaret Ferrier

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, who from his Department attended the Tata Steel Task Force meeting on (a) 20 January 2016 and (b) 1 February 2016.

Stephen Crabb

The Welsh Taskforce was convened on 20 January and met subsequently on 1 February. The next meeting will be held on 15 February.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, attended the meeting on 1 February and will attend future meetings whenever practicable. Due to prior commitments he was unable to attend the first meeting and the Wales Office Director represented the Department. UK Government officials also attend Taskforce meetings.

The Taskforce is chaired by Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart. Minutes of the Taskforce and any agreed programme of work are matters for the Welsh Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent estimate he has made of the level of inward investment to Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell

On 29 February 2016, UK Trade & Investment published the number of Foreign Direct Investment projects by UK Region for the period 2010/11 to 2014/15. These figures show that Scotland attracted 531 projects during this period. These projects led to 26,184 new jobs, which is equal to 8.6 per cent of the total job creation for the UK as a whole.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe of 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 136WH, whether his Department has made representations to Saudi Arabia requesting that the death sentences issued to Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher and Dawood al-Marhoon be commuted.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country. We remain concerned about the cases of Ali al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher and Dawood al-Marhoon. I can assure you that we continue to raise their cases with the Saudi authorities at every opportunity, most recently during the Foreign Secretary’s visit on 29 May. Our expectation remains that they will not be executed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the conclusions of the report led by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology published in Nature Communications on 16 August 2016, entitled Impacts of neonicotinoid use on long-term population change in wild bees in England; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice

We consider new studies on neonicotinoids, including the recent study led by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, carefully, drawing on advice from the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides as well as from government experts. The Government remains committed to ensuring that pesticides are not authorised if the scientific evidence shows they pose unacceptable risks to the environment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-11-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what dates officers of the Metropolitan Police Service trained officers of the Security Support Department of the Abu Dhabi Police; how many such officers were trained; what the content of that training was; and whether that training included training on human rights issues.

Mike Penning

The Home Office does not hold the information asked for.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to reply to the letter of 26 November 2015 from the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West regarding mass executions in Saudi Arabia.

Mr David Lidington

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) received the letter from the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Margaret Ferrier) on 27 November 2015. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) will respond to the hon. Member by 24 December.

FCO Ministers aim to respond to all correspondence from Members of this House, both written and electronic, within 20 working days of receipt, in line with Cabinet Office guidance.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/441892/Cabinet_Office_Guidance_on_correspondence.pdf

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when Ministers in his Department last met Citizens Advice Scotland; what was discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell

I last met Citizens Advice Scotland on 3 August 2015 in Edinburgh. We discussed a range of matters, including the implementation of the Smith Commission Agreement.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the Tata Steel Task Force meetings on 20 January 2016 and 1 February 2016.

Stephen Crabb

The Welsh Taskforce was convened on 20 January and met subsequently on 1 February. The next meeting will be held on 15 February.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, attended the meeting on 1 February and will attend future meetings whenever practicable. Due to prior commitments he was unable to attend the first meeting and the Wales Office Director represented the Department. UK Government officials also attend Taskforce meetings.

The Taskforce is chaired by Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart. Minutes of the Taskforce and any agreed programme of work are matters for the Welsh Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on the economic development of Scotland and steps to attract inward investment to Scotland.

David Mundell

I have regular discussions with Scottish Government ministers on a wide range of economic issues. At the end of February I was involved in the launch of the Exporting is GREAT road show together with Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney. Business investment from abroad in the whole of the UK, and what makes the UK the first choice for this investment, is a crucial part of the GREAT campaign. At this event we exchanged several ideas about Scotland’s economic situation during these challenging economic times, and I am committed to continuing that dialogue. On 17 March, I will be joining the First Minister at the SCDI’s Annual Forum which will focus on the future of Scotland’s economy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether he plans to raise the rate of the national minimum wage for people under 25 to the rate of the national living wage.

Nick Boles

The priority for younger workers is to secure work and gain experience so that they can compete in the labour market.

The wages of younger workers will continue to be underpinned by the National Minimum Wage as recommended by the Low Pay Commission at the highest possible level without costing jobs.

Earlier this year the Government accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations to increase rate for 21-24 year olds to £6.95 per hour – the largest single increase in the main rate of the NMW since 2008 in cash terms.