The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to close the iPlayer loophole.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Government will bring forward legislative proposals to close the iPlayer loophole by the Summer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2016-07-20.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether funding will be made available to Knowsley Council to enable residents who live in close proximity to the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge to travel toll-free when those bridges open.
Mr David Gauke
My officials continue to work with the Department for Transport on the financial and contractual implications of any further extension of user discounts. A decision will be made on this in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the Cypriot authorities about who has responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of refugees arriving at RAF Akrotiri.
Penny Mordaunt
Under the collaborative arrangements in place since 2003 between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) and the Republic of Cyprus officials are co-operating on the handling and processing of the migrants. Their claims will be heard by the Republic of Cyprus should they claim asylum. The SBAA remains responsible for their safety and well-being in the Dhekelia transit facility until they are passed over to a Republic of Cyprus reception facility. If they are granted asylum they will be free to live and apply for work permits in the Republic of Cyprus and have the same rights as if they landed directly into the Republic of Cyprus. The SBAA has the obligation to meet the costs incurred by the Republic of Cyprus in handling the claims and supporting the migrants whilst their cases are being heard and, if they are successful, for up to one year.
If a migrant does not claim asylum, the SBAA as the territorial administration of this Overseas Territory remains responsible for their safety and wellbeing whilst detained pending deportation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prepare a deal with further refugees arriving by sea at RAF Akrotiri.
Penny Mordaunt
There is no evidence the migrants were intending to arrive in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA). The arrival was due to one of two boats having engine failure off the peninsula upon which RAF Akrotiri is located. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) has a protocol with the Republic of Cyprus to consider claims by asylum seekers arriving directly in the SBAs. If they do not claim asylum or their claim to asylum is rejected the SBAA will take steps to remove the migrants to their country of origin.
The SBA Police Maritime unit is conducting increased patrolling of the waters within its jurisdiction, using enhanced navigational aids, including a 24-hour radar capability. The Cyprus Operational Battalion are providing additional manpower for base security. The Republic of Cyprus has indicated it has increased their maritime patrols in their adjacent territorial waters. Security is also supported by RAF Search and Rescue helicopters from 84 Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri.
If a boat is in distress in SBA territorial waters the SBAA has a duty under international law to provide aid and assistance to protect lives.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with colleagues in other Departments about the national security implications of Chinese state involvement in the UK’s domestic nuclear operations.
Michael Fallon
I have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on national security matters.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to make any further changes to the definition of defence expenditure in calculating the proportion of GDP spent on defence in (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18, (c) 2018-19 and (d) 2019-20.
Michael Fallon
The NATO definition of defence expenditure is outlined in NATO guidance. NATO determines when changes to that guidance are required.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many locally-employed Afghan interpreters who worked alongside the British Army have (a) approached the Government for help and (b) been resettled in the UK under his Department’s intimidation policy.
Penny Mordaunt
Since June 2013 around 330 locally employed staff have approached our dedicated team in Kabul for assistance under the Government’s Intimidation Policy. As the Intimidation Policy is open to all staff, regardless of their role, not all of these staff are interpreters: they carried out a variety of roles in support of our operation in Afghanistan. All cases are investigated thoroughly by experienced and trained police officers, in the majority the risk can be successfully mitigated in country, through provision of bespoke security advice and guidance to the former staff member. We consider relocation to the UK if it is assessed the individual would not be safe if they remained in Afghanistan. We have offered financial support to over 30 staff to move to a new location within Afghanistan to maintain their safety, and one former staff member has been relocated to the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many locally employed Afghan interpreters who worked alongside the British Army have (a) approached the Government for help under the ex-gratia redundancy scheme and (b) been relocated to the UK under the ex-gratia redundancy scheme.
Penny Mordaunt
Some 840 former local Afghan staff are eligible for the Ex Gratia Redundancy Scheme, of which nearly 500 are eligible for the relocation option. Of these, nearly 200 have already relocated to the UK along with their immediate families. A further 60 have been awarded visas and are due to relocate in the coming months. The remainder are either going through the visa application process or are yet to be made redundant.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first Type 26 frigate will be ready for service.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September 2015 to Question number 8460 to the hon. Member for Glasgow South West (Chris Stephens).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made by the UK and its Coalition Partners on disrupting the ability of ISIS to raise significant funds through oil revenues; and if he will make a statement.
Penny Mordaunt
The Coalition’s initial approach to disrupting ISIL’s ability to raise funds from oil revenues was to seek to destroy modular oil refineries. However, ISIL has adapted to this and is now using low technology refining methods and changing the way it trades hydrocarbon products.
The UK and its Coalition partners are now concentrating on oil smuggling and the ability of ISIL to keep its production facilities functioning.