Tag: Nigel Dodds

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-12-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Pet Travel Scheme in tackling pet smuggling.

George Eustice

The carriers which carry out checks to ensure pets animals are compliant with Pet Travel Scheme rules are audited by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the results show that they are performing satisfactorily. In 2014, APHA audited close to 6,000 pets. Of these only 0.9% of the pets were found not to comply with the entry rules. These pets were either detained until their compliance could be established, re-exported or placed into quarantine.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-12-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland in advance of the EU Fisheries Council in December 2015.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

I had no direct discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in advance of the EU Fisheries Council in December as these matters fall within the remit of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Preparation of the UK negotiating position in the lead up to the December Fisheries Council included discussions at both Ministerial and official level across all UK fisheries administrations, including DARD. This process also included discussion with representatives of the Northern Ireland fishing industry.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussion she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the possible extension of the Warm Home Discount Scheme to Northern Ireland.

Andrea Leadsom

The extension of the Warm Home Discount Scheme to Northern Ireland was debated in Parliament on 2 March 2015. A transcript of the debate is at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150302/debtext/150302-0004.htm

DECC officials continue to discuss fuel poverty issues with officials in the Northern Ireland Executive.

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2270 (2016) on North Korea.

Alok Sharma

Since the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2270 in March 2016, which the UK strongly supported, the Government has been focused on ensuring that the Resolution is implemented fully and effectively by all UN Member States. We continue to have discussions with partners in the region to ensure that UNSCR 2270 and all previous sanctions measures are enforced in order to limit the ability of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The UK operates one of the toughest export control and counter-proliferation systems in the world and looks to share British expertise on sanctions wherever possible. Following the DPRK’s fifth nuclear test on 9 September, the UK is working with the UN Security Council and key partners to ensure there is a robust multilateral response to this violation of successive UN resolutions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC about the funding of the BBC and its regional programming.

Mr Edward Vaizey

I have not held any recent discussions with the BBC regarding future funding.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take additional steps to tackle human trafficking within the UK’s borders.

Karen Bradley

This Government is determined to stamp out all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking, regardless of whether these crimes have involved
cross-border movement. The Modern Slavery Bill will give law enforcement the tools to tackle modern slavery and enhance support and protection for victims. The Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive are both bringing forward their own legislation to tackle this terrible crime and we are working with them closely to ensure a coordinated approach across the UK. We are also undertaking a comprehensive programme of activity which includes awareness-raising for front-line professionals, to ensure that they can spot the signs of modern slavery, including human trafficking, and know what to do.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Libyan government on the campaign for equitable compensation for victims of IRA terrorism sponsored by Colonel Gaddafi’s government and the decision by the Libyan Parliament to revoke a law banning officials from that government from re-entering the political realm.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

While we do not intend to negotiate a compensation settlement with the Libyan authorities, once stability returns, and our Embassy re-opens, we will again encourage the Libyans to engage with UK victims seeking redress, including those seeking compensation and their legal representatives. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the member for Witney (Mr Cameron) is committed to doing this and has asked the National Security Advisor to lead cross-government efforts to engage the Libyans on reconciliation initiatives. The Government will also continue to promote broad and lasting reconciliation between Libya and affected UK communities. The UK has not formally discussed with the House of Representatives their decision on the political isolation law. Only an inclusive political solution can resolve the ongoing hostilities and political polarisation in Libya. The UK has urged all parties to cease all hostilities and support the UN process led by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Bernardino Leon.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that pay day loan companies are restricted from deliberately intimidating their customers.

Andrea Leadsom

The Government has fundamentally reformed the regulation of the payday lending market. Regulatory responsibility for consumer credit transferred from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April. The FCA has transposed key parts of the OFT’s Debt Collection Guidance into binding rules, which sets out the types of business practices considered unfair and incompatible with fitness to operate.

The FCA is undertaking a thematic review into payday lenders’ debt collection practices to ensure that firms treat customers who are struggling with repayments fairly. The FCA expects to publish the final report early in 2015 which will set out what practices it has found across the market and how it expects all firms in the market to make sure they are observing the right standards of behaviour.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Chinese authorities on religious freedoms in Zhejiang province.

Mr Hugo Swire

As stated in my response of 16 October 2014 (PQ 209774), we have concerns about all restrictions placed on freedom of religion or belief in China, including those placed on Christians in Zhejiang Province. We are particularly concerned by reports that a number of churches have had their crosses removed, been demolished, or forced to close. We regularly raise our concerns with Chinese counterparts and highlight them through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy. We last raised the issue of religious freedom in detail during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in May 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Electoral Office on steps to ensure that the election count process for European and other elections held in Northern Ireland is faster and more efficient.

Dr Andrew Murrison

I recently met the Chief Electoral Officer to discuss a range of issues, including steps that might be taken to ensure a faster count at elections held under the Single Transferable Vote in Northern Ireland. I have asked the Chief Electoral Officer to work closely with the Electoral Commission to explore ways to speed up the count process at PR-STV elections in Northern Ireland with a view to implementing any reforms in advance of the 2016 Assembly elections.