Tag: Martyn Day

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will urge the Iranian authorities to commute immediately the death sentences of the juvenile offenders identified in the report, Growing up on death row: the death penalty and juvenile offenders in Iran, published by Amnesty International on 26 January 2010.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have made clear to Iran, as we do with all countries, our opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and will continue to urge them to put an immediate moratorium on their use of the death penalty, whether for juvenile or adult offenders.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that military assistance, support and training provided by the UK to the Kurdistan regional government does not directly or indirectly contribute to or facilitate the commission of violations of international human rights or humanitarian law.

Penny Mordaunt

The Ministry of Defence takes it role in promoting human rights very seriously. Before the UK undertakes any training of foreign troops around the world, we assess the potential impact of the proposed training in relation to human rights and international humanitarian law and we seek to mitigate any risks.

To support the fight against Daesh the UK military is currently providing the Infantry Battle Course to the Peshmerga. This course includes training on international humanitarian law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, who will take the decision on whether (a) the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and (b) the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are agreements requiring ratification by Parliament; and when such a decision will be taken.

Anna Soubry

The decision as to whether the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will be mixed agreements will be taken by the EU and its Member States when each agreement is signed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-07-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to instigate a prompt and independent inquiry into the (a) missile attack on Camp Liberty on 4 July 2016 and (b) effectiveness of protection of residents of that camp.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We strongly condemn the attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on 4 July. In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi Government doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty.

It is the responsibility of the Government of Iraq to investigate the attack against the camp and to provide adequate protection to the residents. We have publically called on the Government of Iraq to investigate the attack and bring the attackers to justice. In the coming days officials from our Embassy will raise the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and make clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on tackling human trafficking.

Alok Sharma

​Modern slavery is a crime which crosses borders and requires a co-ordinated international response. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), has regular discussions with his European counterparts on human trafficking. The UK plays a leading role in the EU Threat group on Trafficking in Human Beings (EMPACT), which brings together law enforcement experts from most EU Member States and is supported by Europol, Eurojust, the European Commission, Interpol, Frontex and CEPOL (EU Police College).The UK has also led work to secure a UN Sustainable Development Goal to end slavery and irregular migration – including trafficking – was a priority theme at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly this year. The UK led a resolution on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at the recent Human Rights Council, working with EU partners to provide a focus for practical measures and concerted international action. In these and other ways, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to support the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), in her efforts to co-ordinate global action on these issues.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2015-12-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to hold a consultation with the Scottish Government on the future of the NATS centre at Prestwick.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government is currently exploring the sale of its 49 per cent shareholding in NATS, and will ensure that the Scottish Government is consulted about any implications for Prestwick.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she plans to discuss the issue of education for children in areas of conflict at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016; and what plans she has to ensure children have access to education in those areas.

Mr Desmond Swayne

Education will be a significant theme in the World Humanitarian Summit and we will use this opportunity to promote our aims to improve learning outcomes, to reach all children in fragile states, and to keep girls in school.

DFID supports children overseas to go school and continuing learning even when they are forced from their homes. This includes our flagship £355 million Girls’ Education Challenge that will enable up to 1 million more of the world’s most marginalised girls to benefit from an education of sufficient quality and transform their lives. In addition, DFID is supporting improvements to how the international community provides education in emergencies, including support for the ‘No Lost Generation’ Initiative to provide over 251,000 Syrian children with formal and informal education inside Syria and in the region, allowing them to catch up on lost learning time and sit public school examinations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Which? 2016 energy satisfaction survey, what steps she is taking to ensure the big six energy companies improve their customer service as well as reduce their prices.

Andrea Leadsom

It is important we have a vibrant, dynamic competitive energy market where energy companies work hard to attract customers though customer service as well as price. There are now 31 independent suppliers in the domestic retail energy market, up from 7 in 2010. Switching from a standard tariff to the best fixed, direct debit deal on the market, many people could save around £200 – and some could save more. During 2015, 3.8 million domestic customers switched electricity supplier and 2.8 million customers switched gas supplier.

The Competition and Markets Authority are nearing the end of their enquiry into the energy markets. We are determined to do whatever it takes to ensure markets work well for consumers.

In the meantime, the Department will be working with Ofgem, the Ombudsman Service and Citizens Advice to make sure that the consumer complaints services are working for consumers and identifying systemic industry wide problems to improve customer service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to obtain a special status for UK agricultural products from specific geographical origin within the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

George Eustice

Negotiations on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) concluded in 2014 and the agreement is expected to come into force in early 2017. CETA represents a good outcome for the UK. Economic analysis suggests the UK could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this agreement.

Our most important GI (Geographic Indication) product, Scotch Whisky, will receive greater protection in the market and the agreement removes both tariff and non-tariff barriers to British food and drink exports to Canada.

We will be working with the EU Commission, other Member States, the UK food industry and trade organisations to extend GI recognition under CETA for EU protected food name products not included in the initial negotiating list. In particular for UK products where exports to Canada have substantially increased since the CETA negotiations started in 2011.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-07-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the change in the value of the pound since following the EU referendum on private pension funds.

Simon Kirby

There has been some turbulence in financial markets following the vote to leave the EU, including a sharp adjustment to the price of sterling. However, markets have continued to function effectively, and we will continue to work closely with the Bank of England to provide stability and support to markets. HM Treasury does not make direct assessments of the value and funding position of private pension funds.