The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has received from hon. Members since the coming into force of the Act.
Matthew Hancock
Due to the nature of the way FOI requests are recorded it is unfortunately not possible to identify the number of requests from all former and existing Cabinet Office Ministers or honourable members except at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to develop a long-term strategy for Ascension Island.
James Duddridge
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently working with the Ascension Island Government to identify the island’s infrastructure needs. This is the first step in identifying long-term requirements for Ascension.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department has published on the size of plastic bags used to carry liquids through airport security.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Department for Transport has published guidance for passengers and industry on the GOV.UK website on the use of plastic bags to carry liquids through UK airport security. This includes advice on the nature of the plastic bag required. Many UK airports also provide guidance on their websites.
The Civil Aviation Authority provides advice and guidance for airports on the definition of a liquid. The main regulation covering liquids, aerosols and gels, EU Regulation 185/2010 also sets out the rules and requirements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing plans for new Intercity Express Programme and Thameslink rolling stock.
Claire Perry
Both rolling stock programmes are on schedule with the first trains for each undergoing testing on the network as planned. Thameslink trains will enter passenger service this spring and IEP trains will enter service on the Great Western Main Line from 2017 and the East Coast Main Line from 2018. The investment in infrastructure together with these fleets of modern trains will deliver increased peak time capacity, reliability and improved connections that will transform journeys for passengers on routes in the South East, through London and out to Scotland and Wales.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-03-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that companies with more than 250 employees pay their suppliers in a timely manner.
Anna Soubry
The Government recognises that late payment remains an important issue for small businesses in the UK and is taking significant steps to assist small businesses to recover late payment debts. This is part of a package of measures to tackle late payment. We have also legislated for new transparency measures in the private sector.
The Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 legislated for a new reporting requirement on the UK’s largest companies and Regulations which will be introduced this year. This will compel larger companies to report on payment practices and performance. This information will be published on a six-monthly basis and will be made publicly available.
Through the Enterprise Bill, currently before Parliament, we will legislate to establish a Small Business Commissioner to give general advice and to help small businesses resolve disputes relating to payment matters with larger businesses.
Tackling late payment is about creating a responsible payment culture where larger companies recognise the benefit of having a sustainable and robust supply chain, and smaller businesses feel able to challenge poor behaviour. Once implemented, the Government is confident that these measures will lead to significant changes in the UK’s payment culture.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the US administration to secure its co-operation in surveillance and enforcement of closed marine areas in (a) British Indian Ocean Territory and (b) Ascension Island.
James Duddridge
Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in regular communication with their US counterparts to explore the opportunities for cooperation in surveillance and enforcement of Marine Protected Areas, including the British Indian Ocean Territory and Ascension Island.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what variations his Department allows between security measures applied at airports.
Mr Robert Goodwill
All airports in the UK are, as a minimum, required to meet the statutory security requirements set out in the UK National Aviation Security Programme (NASP). This comprises of EU requirements and some UK specific more stringent measures. The airports are responsible for the implementation of the requirements. Security at the airports is multi-layered and may include a number of different screening procedures and equipment in order to deliver the required security standards. It is also open to airports to have in place security measures additional to those required by regulation.
For obvious reasons it would not be appropriate to provide details on the specific security measures being applied. We do however keep aviation security measures under constant review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-02-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the additional capabilities the Joint Force 2025 will provide to the armed forces.
Penny Mordaunt
Joint Force 2025 is about rebalancing our Armed Forces to strengthen the front line and maintain our military advantage. It will ensure that the Armed Forces are able to tackle a wider range of more sophisticated potential adversaries.
Joint Force 2025 will be able to deploy a larger force more quickly or undertake a large number of smaller operations simultaneously and will include enhanced Counter Terrorism capabilities; more fighter jet squadrons; new Protector armed remotely piloted aircraft; Maritime Patrol Aircraft; increased Carrier capability and readily deployable STRIKE brigades. Joint Force 2025 will also benefit from greater investment in new areas of capability such as cyber and space.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of the firing of two long-range missiles from the Alborz mountain range by Iran.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Reports that Iran has test launched two long-range missiles are of deep concern. Such activity is inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, and we are writing to the UN Security Council to request a report into the tests. We urge Iran to refrain from further tests.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimates his Department has received for the cost of refurbishing the pier head at Ascension Island.
James Duddridge
Ascension Island Government has embarked on a project to assess and cost potential improvements to the pier head. I take all matters relating to piers seriously.