Tag: Mark Menzies

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to secure the jobs of employees of HM Land Registry if its transition to the Government’s preferred contract-based privatisation model goes ahead.

Anna Soubry

A Government consultation seeking views on options to move Land Registry operations to the private sector closed on 26 May. My department is analysing these response to help inform a Government decision, but no decision has yet been made.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to paragraph 3.103 of the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, when her Department plans to launch the consultation on increasing the small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000.

Sir Oliver Heald

Ministers are considering this issue and the Government will bring forward proposals in the coming months.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on pausing planning applications to build shale gas wells until after the Environment Agency has completed its consultation and published guidance for onshore oil and gas operations in the UK.

James Wharton

There is no policy to delay the determination of shale gas planning proposals pending the completion of the Environment Agency’s consultation on their updated Onshore Oil and Gas Sector Guidance issued on 26 November.

The Government has in place a comprehensive regulatory framework for shale gas development. As part of this, the Environment Agency’s views on schemes can be taken into account by local planning authorities, or by the Secretary of State where relevant, in the determination of planning proposals for shale gas development.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance he provides to local councils to help them secure faster build-out rates from new developments.

Brandon Lewis

The National Planning Policy Framework clearly sets out that local authorities should work proactively with developers to secure developments that improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of their areas. We are taking forward measures to speed up the process of discharging planning conditions, which will help ensure work starts on site quickly once planning permission has been granted. In addition, in their statement on 11 May 2016, the House Builder’s Federation announced steps they would take to improve transparency about build out and help inform both plan making and planning decisions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to help protect the pensions of long-serving employees.

Richard Harrington

We have a well-established regime of checks and balances in place, for example the Pension Protection Fund and the Pensions Regulator. The Government keeps this framework for pensions under constant review, and amends it when evidence demonstrates such change is needed

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what he weight he plans to give to the views of people living close to the proposed shale gas well at Roseacre and Preston New Road in the process for considering planning appeals by Cuadrilla Resources to build wells at those sites.

James Wharton

A planning appeal is a quasi-judicial process, and every application needs to be considered on its individual merits, with due process, in light of the relevant material considerations. To avoid prejudicing the decisions, I should not comment further but can reassure my hon. Friend that all relevant issues identified by local people in the current appeals by Cuadrilla Resources will be given very careful consideration.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of the potential closure of the Lancashire Police helicopter base on the safety of the local Fylde community.

Mike Penning

Since October 2012, the provision of police air support has been the responsibility of the National Police Air Service (NPAS), a police-led operational initiative designed to deliver a cost effective and efficient service to forces in England and Wales. It is the responsibility of the NPAS Strategic Board, comprising police and crime commissioners and chief constables, to make decisions on the deployment of resources to meet local policing and crime priorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2015-12-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to support the development of additional new nuclear reactors.

Andrea Leadsom

New nuclear power offers low carbon, affordable, and reliable energy to keep the lights on – which is our top priority.

I can tell my Honourable Friend that the Department is focussed both on engaging with the 6 individual new nuclear proposals from developers, and also supporting the exciting future prospects for small modular reactor technology.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, for what reasons the Committee of Climate Change report on the compatibility of UK onshore petroleum with meeting UK carbon budgets has not yet been laid before Parliament; and when she plans to publish the Government’s response to that report.

Andrea Leadsom

The Government has received the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report. We are carefully considering the report to ensure it is given the proper consideration it is due.

Under the Infrastructure Act 2015, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change is required to lay the CCC report and our response before Parliament together. They will be published as soon as practicable once our response is complete.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-02-22.

To ask the Attorney General, what steps the Government is taking to increase public understanding of the law.

Robert Buckland

Public Legal Education is a statutory feature of the justice system and part of the Rule of Law. I have been actively involved with the Citizenship Foundation who are the UK’s largest provider of public legal education for young people, I was also happy to support the recent establishment of the APPG to promote the importance of public legal education. It is my role as Solicitor General and as the Government’s pro bono champion, to help individuals become confident, effective members of society, helping them to develop an understanding of, how our society works as a democracy, our legal system, and their rights and responsibilities within it.