Tag: Nigel Evans

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps the Government is taking to improve the (a) electronic and (b) physical connectivity of rural villages in Wales.

Guto Bebb

We are introducing the Universal Service Obligation, guaranteeing internet connectivity to half a million rural properties throughout the UK that fall outside existing plans. We have also secured deals with the Mobile Network Operators to deliver mobile coverage to 90% of the UK’s landmass and to 95% of premises in Wales.

Recognising the importance of transport costs to rural communities, we have frozen fuel duty for six successive years, the longest freeze for 40 years.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate her Department has made of the public expenditure that is required to extend the life of RMS St Helena.

Rory Stewart

Through its commitment of Financial Aid to the Government of St Helena, DFID subsidises the costs of the service provided by the RMS St Helena. The subsidy is the difference between the actual costs of operating the service and the actual revenue generated. So it is not possible to calculate the subsidy in advance and without knowing, for example the levels of occupancy on each service and operating costs. For the period between April and July 2016 the RMS service returned a profit of £220,000 so no subsidy was required. The cost of subsidising the operations of the RMS St Helena in FY 2015/16 was £620,000.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the reasons were for the Ministry of Defence Police denying Lt. Col. Jolley his own military records for him to use at his trial in 2013.

Mark Lancaster

A Special Investigation Branch Report was served as evidence at Lt Col Jolleys’ trial and was provided to his Defence team pre-trial.

It will take time to gather the further information and I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on the extent of radicalisation in the Palestinian Territories.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We condemn all violence and all incitement to commit violence. We are concerned by reports of radicalisation, which may, in turn, encourage violence in the region. We have seen reports referring to Hamas. Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. We have also received reports on the role school textbooks play in this area. An extensive study, conducted by a joint Israeli and Palestinian research team in 2013, found the need for textbooks on both sides to do far more to promote a more positive portrayal of each other, reflecting the principles of co-existence, tolerance, justice and human dignity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-05-04.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information he holds on the average number of small independent retail shops that closed in each (a) week, (b) month and (c) year of the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mr Rob Wilson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on EU students wishing to study in UK universities.

Joseph Johnson

The UK has a long established higher education system that supports, and therefore attracts, the brightest minds, at all stages of their careers. Existing rules on EU and other EEA students remain in force. Future arrangements for EU students wishing to study in the UK will need to be considered as part of wider discussions about the UK’s relationship with the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her officials have had with the St Helena government on an interim air service solution.

Rory Stewart

Discussions are ongoing between my officials and the St Helena Government on the prospects for an interim air service using the southern approach to the runway, where the prevailing winds require aircraft to land with a tailwind. All aircraft have performance limits for the maximum tailwind in which they can operate; technical work is underway to assess the frequencies tailwind speeds at the airport exceed these performance limits.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the reasons were for the Ministry of Defence Police failing to disclose army doctors’, chaplains’, commanding officers’ and Lt. Col. Jolleys’ own statement of his circumstances.

Mark Lancaster

A Special Investigation Branch Report was served as evidence at Lt Col Jolleys’ trial and was provided to his Defence team pre-trial.

It will take time to gather the further information and I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on renewed rocket fire attacks into Gaza in Israel.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We receive reports from our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in Jerusalem giving us regular updates on the current situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. These updates include reports on rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip into the sea; any rocket fire from Gaza into Israel; and any retaliatory Israeli air strikes on Gaza. According to reports, in December 2015 and January 2016 a total of three rockets were fired into Israel by Gazan militant groups.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-05-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cumulative effect of tobacco control measures on small retailers over the last 10 years.

Jane Ellison

The Department assesses the impact of all proposed measures before laying legislation using standard government methodology. These assessments are set out in Impact Assessments which are scrutinised by the Regulatory Policy Committee before publication alongside the Statutory Instrument. Impact Assessments specifically look at the impacts on small and micro businesses.

The Department assesses the impact of tobacco control measures on an ongoing basis as it develops policy and considers new measures. In September 2013, the Department published An Audit of the impact of the Department of Health’s Regulations upon business. A copy of the report is attached. The Audit report covered all regulations for which the Department has responsibility believed to have a potential cost to business, including those relating to tobacco control. As advised in the report, there is a robust cost-benefit case for the tobacco control regulations considered and experience shows that initiatives to reduce smoking prevalence work best in combination, with cumulative effects over time.