The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-04-27.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of fruit juice a drink must contain to be considered a pure fruit juice for the purposes of the sugar levy.
Damian Hinds
The levy will apply to soft drinks with added sugar. This will include any fruit or vegetable juice drinks that contain added sugar. Pure fruit and vegetable juices, and other juice drinks that do not have added sugar will not be liable.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making superfast broadband a planning obligation on all new build properties
Brandon Lewis
We have worked with BT Openreach and the Home Builders Federation on an agreement, announced earlier this year, which aims to deliver superfast broadband connectivity to new build properties in the UK. We have also recently introduced a requirement for all new buildings and major renovations to include in-building physical infrastructure to support connections to superfast broadband. In addition, the National Planning Policy Framework places the provision of superfast broadband alongside other strategic infrastructure and requires local planning authorities to consult providers as part of the Local Plan.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-10-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which local authorities have breached legal air quality limits in the last year.
Dr Thérèse Coffey
Defra uses both monitoring and modelling to assess air quality in the UK. Currently, 156 monitoring stations in the national network report near-real-time data on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Information about these sites and modelled data is available on Defra’s UK-Air website.
Latest compliance data show that the UK is meeting the EU limit values for all pollutants covered by the European air quality Directives other than those for NO2.
That is why in December last year, the Government published the national air quality plan for reducing NO2 concentrations through a new programme of Clean Air Zones in five cities in England, including Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton, as well as Birmingham and Derby, along with the Ultra-Low Emission Zone in London. The plan combines targeted local and national measures and continued investment in clean technologies.
The councils which were observed to have exceedances of the annual mean NO2 limit value in 2015 are in the attached table.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-10-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to encourage local authorities to implement a voluntary Clean Air Zone; and what estimate she has made of how many will do so within the next 12 months.
Dr Thérèse Coffey
As part of the national air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide, we are requiring five cities (Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton) to implement Clean Air Zones. Other local authorities can introduce Clean Air Zones should they wish to do so using their powers under the Transport Act 2000.
On 13 October we launched a consultation on a framework for Clean Air Zones. This will provide a consistent approach to the implementation of Clean Air Zones. Its use by local authorities will give businesses and individuals a clear understanding of what a Clean Air Zone will deliver, and the impacts and benefits for them. Setting out the principles in this way will support both those authorities required by Government to implement a Clean Air Zone and those who, after analysing their own situation, consider a Clean Air Zone to be an appropriate measure to bring in.
In addition, applications are now open for councils to bid for a share of at least £3 million as part of an Air Quality Grant to help improve air quality in their area. Applications could include activities such as feasibility studies for Clean Air Zones.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will take steps to promote the use of British welded steel instead of imported seamless steel in the shale gas exploration industry.
Andrea Leadsom
The Government would like to see UK steel companies take advantage of the commercial opportunities that a shale hydrocarbon exploration and production industry will bring. However, the decision over the use of welded steel tubes will predominantly depend on the design and specification of the well and the geology. Government officials will continue to engage with the steel industry over this large potential opportunity and will encourage it to continue its dialogue with the onshore oil and gas industry.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2015-12-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will estimate the number of postmasters who have been penalised as a result of the Post Office Horizon computer system.
George Freeman
Information on the Post Office Horizon computer system is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited.
I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Honourable Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what non-lethal military support his Department has provided to Tunisia in each year since 2012.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The UK strongly supportsTunisia’s democratic transition and we are working to assist the Tunisian authorities as they deliver change. Since 2012, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has provided the following support to the Tunisian Armed Forces:
In June 2012 the MOD and Department for Transport delivered Explosive Detection Equipment Training to the Tunisian Armed Forces in Tunisia;
In May 2012, Tunisian military delegates attended an Economic Exclusion Zone course in the UK;
In January 2014, a small team delivered a presentation to the Tunisian Armed Forces on the UK’s approach to Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR);
There are currently two Tunisian students enrolled on the International Sub Lieutenant’s course in the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what non-lethal military support his Department has provided to Libya in each year since 2012.
Dr Andrew Murrison
Since 2012 the UK has provided advice, training and Defence Education to Libya.
An advisory team was established in Tripoli in 2012 to support the UK / Libya relationship and provide advice through a number of personnel embedded in the Libyan Ministry of Defence, Navy, Air Force, Land Forces and Border Security Force.
In 2013 the advisory team was renamed the Defence Advisory and Training Team (DATT) to reflect the variety of support programmes, including strategic communication, developing explosive ordnance disposal schools, supporting the creation of a joint operational planning staff and naval training. The DATT currently numbers 34 personnel which includes a Senior Disarmament Advisor working with the Government of Libya, the UN and international partners on disarmament issues. The DATT also provides the platform for Short Term Training Team deployments from the UK.
In 2013 HMS Echo surveyed the coast off Tripoli including a number of ports and in February 2014 the Libyans signed a data sharing agreement with the UK Hydrographic Office.
Libyan personnel have undergone defence education and training in the UK including: English Language Training, Initial Officer Training, Economic Exclusion Zone Protection Officers courses and Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context.
In November 2013 the UK also established a Defence Section within the British Embassy, Tripoli with a Defence Attaché.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what non-lethal military support his Department has provided to Algeria in each year since 2012.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The UK provides military support to the Algerian Armed Forces mainly through the provision of academic and specialised UK based courses. In 2012, 31 Algerian students from the Algerian Armed Forces attended UK military courses, and in 2013 seven students came to the UK for training. The courses attended since 2012 are:
Royal College of Defence Studies
Initial Naval Training (Officers) at BRNC Dartmouth
RAF Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell
Economic Exclusion Zone Protection Officer Course (one in 2012 delivered in the UK, one in 2013 delivered in Gibraltar)
Stabilisation and Peace Support Operation
Board and Search Training
English Language Training
HM Common Time course
International Principal Warfare Officers’ Course
RIB training
International Air Battle Management Course
Multinational Peace Support Operations Instructor Training Course
Design and Evaluation of Peace Support Operations Training
In addition to this, in 2013, delegations from the Algerian Armed Forces visited the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, and the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury. In March 2014, a delegation from the Ministry of Defence’s Surgeon General’s department visited Algiers to discuss potential areas for cooperation with the Algerian military medical services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what bilateral funding arrangements his Department has with (a) governmental and (b) non-governmental projects and bodies in Argentina.
Dan Rogerson
Defra does not have any funding arrangements with either governmental or non-governmental projects or bodies in Argentina