Tag: Matthew Offord

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.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2015-11-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will amend the criteria by which some students without permanent residence may be entitled to a student loan to reflect the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of R v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (2015) UKSC 57.

Joseph Johnson

On 16 September 2015 the Department published details of an interim policy in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling of 29 July 2015 (on the application of Tigere) (Appellant) v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (respondent) 2015 UKSC57.

We intend to consult shortly on amending the relevant Regulations.

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 recent progress of the international coalition to tackle Daesh.

Penny Mordaunt

The Global Coalition is making good progress against Daesh in Iraq. Over 30% of the territory that Daesh took in 2014 has been re-taken. The Iraqi security forces have substantially cleared Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, and are working to make the area safe for displaced people to return. Further north, Kurdish forces have driven Daesh from the Sinjar area. In Syria, the Coalition is continuing to strike Daesh economic targets, including oilfields where we judge that recent strikes on its illicit oil industry have reduced Daesh’s revenues by some 10%.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-04-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department has issued on the procurement of ASP batons.

Mike Penning

Decisions about the procurement of equipment for the police, including batons, are for chief constables and Police and Crime Commissioners locally. The Home Office supports forces working together to improve the value for money obtained from procurement by agreeing common specifications and aggregating their purchasing power. Suitably trained Border Force staff may be issued with collapsible batons. The Home Office requires Border Force to procure those batons through a Crown Commercial Service contract. The batons supplied are not the ASP brand.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to include best practice bio security and waste management requirement clauses in the next contract for the Pitcairn Islands supply ship.

Mr Desmond Swayne

The tender for the Pitcairn Islands supply ship is currently underway and best practice bio security and waste management requirement clauses will be included in the agreed contract.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of political and economic progress in Somalia.

Grant Shapps

During my recent visit in July, I saw the complex challenges that Somalia faces after more than two decades of conflict. Despite this, real progress is being made in reaching a political settlement, tackling the threat posed by Al Shabaab, and rebuilding the economy and the state. Credible elections next year will be a further important step forward. As one of Somalia’s leading international partners, we are doing everything we can to support the completion of the federal map, the electoral process, and the economic development of the country.