The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2015-01-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on investor-state dispute settlement in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Matthew Hancock
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 7 November 2014 to question 212541.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the Competition Commission’s inquiry into the car insurance industry to report.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Competition Commission is required to publish its final report by 27 September 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure the long-term viability of the system for paying benefits into Post Office card accounts under the universal credit programme.
Steve Webb
No decision has been made on the future of the POca but discussions are currently taking place between DWP, Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-08.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what funds were provided in Barnett consequentials to the Northern Ireland Executive as a result of the flood relief funds granted in England and Wales.
Danny Alexander
The table below sets out the extra funding allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive through the Barnett formula to reflect new funding provided to UK government departments for flood defence measures at Budget 2014.
|
Northern Ireland |
||
|
2014-15 £m |
2015-16 £m |
|
|
Flood Maintenance (Resource) |
0.7 |
1.2 |
|
Flood Maintenance (Capital) |
2.0 |
0.8 |
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the future of HM Revenue and Customs’ centres in Northern Ireland.
Mr David Gauke
HMRC has recently announced its intention to consult on the proposed closure of 12 of its general offices across the United Kingdom. This process will start in June 2014 and will include one office in Northern Ireland; Custom House, Newry.
HMRC officials and I met with you and three parliamentary colleagues representing Northern Ireland interests on 15 January 2014. At this meeting HMRC officials advised that none of its general offices will close until at least 2015.
As already announced on 12 February, HMRC will be closing its 10 Northern Ireland Enquiry Centres later this year. This is as a result of HMRC introducing a new service, supporting customers who need extra help getting their tax and benefits right. This service will offer customers who need extra help more in-depth support on the phone and a mobile advisory service if they need a face-to-face appointment. HMRC will roll out the new service across the UK from 31 May 2014, followed by the closure of Enquiry Centre network by 30 June 2014.
HMRC has widely consulted with third parties on the Enquiry Centre closures and piloted the new service in the North East of England
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent assessment he has made of the potential risks posed by (a) flooding and (b) rising sea levels at the Drigg Low-Level Waste Repository in Cumbria.
Michael Fallon
Radioactive waste management activities are subject to permitting by the Environment Agency under legislation introduced by the Department.
As part of the environmental permitting process for radioactive waste disposal the Agency has required the operators of the Low-Level Waste Repository (LLWR) to consider long term coastal erosion at the site and the need for and feasibility of providing sea defences. These issues are assessed within an Environmental Safety Case submitted to the Environment Agency in May 2011 which has been subject to review by the Environment Agency over the last two to three years and also the subject of a public consultation between November 2013 and February 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-05-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he last met the Chair of the College of Emergency Medicine; what subjects were discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement.
Jane Ellison
The last meeting between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and the Chair of the College of Emergency Medicine was held on 2 April 2014. At that meeting, their views on the health system, and emergency medicine in particular, were discussed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2014, Official Report, columns 712-3W, on floods: Cumbria, when the results of his public consultation will be published; and whether plans are in place for moving the nuclear waste stored at the Drigg Low-Level Waste Repository if the site is deemed at risk.
Michael Fallon
The Environment Agency carried out a public consultation exercise between November 2013 and February 2014 on LLW Repository Ltd’s variation application to dispose of further radioactive waste at the Low Level Waste Repository. Submissions received as part of this exercise are available on the Environment Agency’s Public Register. Responses will be published by the Environment Agency before the end of 2014, as part of a second consultation on a draft decision on the variation application. It is then anticipated that a final decision will be published in the spring of 2015.
As part of the Environmental Safety Case for the repository, LLW Repository Ltd were required to consider the need to move some or all of the radioactive waste disposed of at the facility given the best current understanding of likely coastal erosion timescales and all relevant technical factors. This work has demonstrated that the risks presented by leaving the radioactive waste in place are consistent with relevant legislation, standards and guidance. The most appropriate option for the environment and people, now and into the future, is not to recover and move the radioactive waste and therefore no plans have been put in place for this.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland on the establishment of a cancer drugs fund; and if he will make a statement.
Norman Lamb
We have had no such discussions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Goods Vehicle Levy in Northern Ireland.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The levy is supported by a majority of hauliers in Northern Ireland, all of whom pay it alongside their Vehicle Excise Duty. Hauliers from Ireland must also pay before they use roads in Northern Ireland. A typical large HGV from Ireland visiting Northern Ireland twice a day, as would be the case for a round trip, would effectively pay only £1.28 per visit if they had purchased an annual levy. Smaller vehicles pay less, and those under 12 tonnes pay nothing. These represent small amounts compared to the running cost of a UK HGV of £80,000 to £100,000 per year, and much less than the tolls a typical Northern Ireland HGV would face doing a round trip to Dublin at around £8. Parliament has already debated the exempting of some border roads in Northern Ireland, totalling around 7 miles. These exemptions are a practical measure meaning that vehicles entering Northern Ireland for a short distance do not have to pay the levy, and exempting them simplifies enforcement.