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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he had with his Indian counterpart during his recent visit on the death of Sikh people at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in June 1984.
Mr David Cameron
The events between 5-7 June 1984 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar led to a tragic loss of life, and I understand the pain that they still cause to Sikh communities around the world, including in the UK.
During the visit of Prime Minister Modi we discussed a wide range of issues and in those conversations he emphasised his commitment to upholding the Gandhian traditions of diversity and religious tolerance. In his Wembley address, he underlined the important role that Indians of all faiths are playing in India’s economic and social development.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Scottish economy of devolution of corporation tax to Northern Ireland.
Mr David Gauke
Devolution of a corporation tax rate-setting power to the Northern Ireland Assembly has the potential to help rebalance the Northern Ireland economy. The UK Government will activate this power if the Northern Ireland parties meet their commitments in the Stormont House Agreement, which includes demonstrating that its finances are on a sustainable footing for the long-term.
It is not possible to determine the exact impact of devolution on any other parts of the UK as any impact will depend on a number of factors, including the rate set and when the regime comes into effect. But a thriving, prosperous Northern Ireland will have benefits for the whole UK economy, not just Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the conclusions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s assessment of the neoniocotinoid imidacloprid, published on 6 January 2016.
George Eustice
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has published a “Preliminary Pollinator Assessment to Support the Registration Review of Imidacloprid”. The Agency aims to produce the final assessment at the end of 2016. The preliminary assessment indicates a risk to honey bees from uses of imidacloprid on cotton and some uses on citrus. Risks from use on a number of other crops were low and a shortage of data meant that the risks from use on other crops were uncertain.
The US assessment cannot be read across to the UK situation as there are many differences in the crops, methods of applying the pesticide and environmental conditions.
The European Food Safety Authority has begun a scientific evaluation of the risk to bees from imidacloprid, as well as two other neonicotinoids (clothianidin and thiamethoxam). The UK will participate fully in that review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2015 to Question 7427, what discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the implications of holding a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU within eight weeks of elections to the Scottish Parliament.
David Mundell
The UK Government has held discussions with representatives from the Devolved Administrations throughout the renegotiation process and the UK’s renegotiation is a standing agenda item at the Joint Ministerial Committee’s Europe meetings.
The Prime Minister has been clear that the referendum must follow a renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU. Timing will therefore depend on progress of the renegotiation. The Government has made no decisions on the date, except to specifically rule out holding it on 5 May 2016 and 4 May 2017, to avoid coinciding with the various elections, including elections in Scotland, which are scheduled to take place on those days.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department attended the Welsh Tata Steel Task Force meeting on (i) 20 January and (ii) 1 February 2016.
Anna Soubry
No Ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) attended the meetings of the Welsh Tata Steel Task Force on 20 January and 1 February 2016. However, my noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Wales Office (Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth) was present at the meeting on 1st February. A Senior Civil Service official from BIS attended both meetings.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he made of the cost of Part Two of the Leveson Inquiry.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Criminal proceedings connected to the subject matter of the Leveson Inquiry, including the appeals process, have not yet completed. We have always been clear that these cases must conclude before we consider Part 2 of the Inquiry, including any estimate of cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will produce a new Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty.
Mr David Lidington
I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 14 January in response to Written Question 21761 of 11 January from the Hon. Member for Birmingham Hall Green (Mr Godsiff ).
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-10-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax credits claims have been reinstated by HM Revenue and Customs as a result of (a) adjustments and (b) cancellations by Concentrix in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency.
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.