Tag: Margaret Ferrier

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2015 to Question 17136, what his Department’s original estimate was for the development and delivery of Watchkeeper to full operating capability.

Mr Philip Dunne

Watchkeeper is expected to achieve full operating capability in the second quarter of 2017.

The original cost estimate for the development and delivery of Watchkeeper to full operating capability, at the time of Main Gate approval in 2005, was £847 million.

With regards to the cost of each Watchkeeper, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 October 2014 to question 211342 to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).

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

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues on the legal recognition in Northern Ireland of same-sex marriages which have been registered elsewhere in the UK.

Caroline Dinenage

The UK government has demonstrated its commitment to marriage for same sex couples by introducing it for England and Wales, and has welcomed its introduction in other jurisdictions, including Scotland.

We recognise and respect the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland. The constitutional arrangements in place mean that any decision to extend marriage to same-sex couples in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Officials from the Government Equalities Office speak regularly with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office regarding these and other equality related matters.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on the transfer of air passenger duty to that government.

Mr Robert Goodwill

No such discussion have taken place. Decisions on taxation, including Air Passenger Duty, are of course a matter for HM Treasury.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of 26 January 2016, Official Report, column 129, what pay rise in percentage terms, in each salary band in his Department, staff have received in each financial year since 2010-11.

Dominic Raab

The Treasury sets public sector pay policy, which includes the 1% cap, in line with wider government priorities. This policy has been subject to agreement with the Prime Minister and consultation within the government at Ministerial level.

In line with the pay freeze announced by the Government in the June Budget 2010, the pay of staff employed by the Ministry of Justice in 2011-12 and 2012-13 earning a full time equivalent of £21,000 or less received pay increases of up to £250. MoJ exited the pay freeze on 1 August 2013. Since then MOJ staff received pay awards averaging at 1% each year, in line with the Government policy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which external organisations officials in his Department have met to discuss the potential consequences of the UK leaving the EU in each of the last three years; and how many meetings such officials have had with each such organisation.

David Mundell

Scotland Office officials have not held any such meetings. At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government’s position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

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 on 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 137WH, what representations the UK has made to Saudi Arabia to accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; and on what dates those representations were made.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

In line with our obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we regularly encourage Saudi Arabia, as a non-party to the Convention, to accede to it. The most recent engagement was between British and Saudi Arabian officials on 7 June.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on renovations and repairs to Dover House in 2015-16.

David Mundell

The Scotland Office spend on renovations, repairs and maintenance to Dover House in 2015-16 was £660,715.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the decision was made by Defence Equipment and Support to transport special nuclear materials through Glasgow on 29 July 2015.

Mr Philip Dunne

The decision to withdraw the High Security Vehicle from service on 31 July 2015 was made in February 2015.

Decisions and timings on the routes to be used for the transportation of Defence Nuclear Material are part of the operational planning process. I am withholding further information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to promote coding as part of the curriculum or otherwise amongst young people.

Nick Gibb

The new computing curriculum, introduced in September 2014 and compulsory for ages 5-16, has been designed to ensure the study of topics such as computational logic, algorithms and coding.

The government has spent more than £4.5 million over the past three years to support schools in delivering high quality computing teaching. This includes £3 million for Computing At School to build a national network of over 350 ‘Master Teachers’ in computer science whom schools can commission to provide training for their teachers.

In primary school, pupils will be looking at designing, writing and debugging programs. With these skills, pupils can create games or useful tools like a number generator for maths.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the screening of asylum seekers in Scotland.

David Mundell

UK and Scottish Government officials have regular discussions regarding immigration matters, including screening of asylum seekers in Scotland.