Tag: Margaret Ferrier

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the accuracy of reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that a UK-produced bomb was used in an airstrike against a civilian factory in Yemen.

Penny Mordaunt

We are aware of the allegation that a ceramics factory in Sana’a Governorate was attacked on 23 September 2015 causing civilian casualties and are monitoring this alleged incident.

In doing so, the Ministry of Defence is considering a range of evidence from Government sources, foreign governments, the media and international non-governmental organisations. Our consideration of this allegation is on going.

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 renovations and repairs to Dover House in each year since 2010-11.

David Mundell

The Scotland Office spend on Dover House since 2010-11 on renovations and repairs, including planned and preventative maintenance, is shown below:

	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Cost (£)	146,572	192,968	230,688	169,143	382,029

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information since its establishment.

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, when the Government plans to bring into force section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013.

Mr Edward Vaizey

No decision has been taken regarding commencement of section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. The matter is still under consideration.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what evidence he has received on the possible use of cluster munitions in Yemen by Saudi Arabia.

Michael Fallon

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have alerted us to their online reports on the use of cluster munitions in Yemen, which we are analysing.

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

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints HM Revenue and Customs has received about Concentrix from residents in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency since that company has been under contract with his Department.

Jane Ellison

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold the data broken down specifically by constituency areas. HMRC is currently focused on resolving the outstanding cases but will be preparing regional analysis, which will be available in due course.