Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Nigel Evans – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Nigel Evans – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-03-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the UK is joining the EU Consortium to support the construction of small-scale infrastructure in Area C; and whether such construction has received planning permission from the Israeli government.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    The UK is committed to Palestinian development in Area C. We continue to urge the Government of Israel to develop improved mechanisms for zoning, planning and permitting in Area C for the benefit of the Palestinian population, including by facilitating local Palestinian participation in such processes. The UK has allocated £900,000 for the development of basic social infrastructure in areas which have an outline plan in the approval process, through an EU consortium. The EU consults with the local communities themselves and the Israeli authorities where necessary.

  • Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-04-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the action being taken, and by whom, to prevent life-threatening consequences arising from the closure of the Gaza power plant.

    Baroness Verma

    According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the closure of the Gaza power plant has triggered electricity blackouts of 12-18 hours per day. The electricity shortage, combined with the lack of affordable fuel, has resulted in a further reduction in the water supply to households and reduction in wastewater treatment and quality of sewerage discharged into the sea.

    We are in regular dialogue with Israel, the Palestinian Authority and other development actors, specifically the EU and UN, on the extension of the 161 power line and conversion of the Gaza power station to gas.

  • Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-05-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the timetable is for the publication of the consultation on changes to the School Admissions Code.

    Nick Gibb

    We have announced our intention to make changes to the School Admissions Code to better support parents and schools.

    We are currently considering whether any additional changes to the admissions system are necessary. Full details of proposed changes and of the consultation, including timings, will be announced in due course.

  • Jess Phillips – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Jess Phillips – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jess Phillips on 2016-07-21.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 15 October 2015 to Question 10706, and to the letter sent by Network Rail to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley on 14 July 2016, what the expected timescale is for accessibility alterations for Stechford railway station.

    Paul Maynard

    Network Rail have completed the option selection process for the Access for All scheme at Stechford and are working on a detailed design for the project. The Network Rail sponsor for the project would be happy to meet the hon Member to discuss plans for improving access at the station.

  • Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-10-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2016 to Question 46284, on apprentices, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the new standards are developed in areas where skills shortages exist in the economy.

    Robert Halfon

    Employers are already designing high-quality apprenticeships across a range of occupations to meet their skills needs. More than 1,400 employers are involved with 260 new apprenticeships standards already published and more than 180 are in development.

    Employers are in the best position to determine the skills they need and we will work with them as the Apprenticeship Levy is introduced, and as the wider approach to the Industrial Strategy is developed, to ensure their needs are met and more opportunities are created for apprentices of all ages and from all backgrounds.

  • Andrew Gwynne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Andrew Gwynne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2015-11-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the value of stationery that has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in each of the last five fiscal years; and what the cost was of replacing such stationery.

    David Mundell

    No items of stationery have been reported as lost or stolen in the last five years.

  • Louise Haigh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Louise Haigh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2015-11-26.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many positions are being created within his Extended Ministerial Office in each pay grade.

    Matthew Hancock

    I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave her on 26 November 2015 to UIN: 10865-10866 and on 30 November 2015 to UIN: 17505.

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Autumn Statement and Summer Budget 2015, paragraph 2.172, what the (a) annual income and (b) running costs of the Government Property Unit is.

    Matthew Hancock

    The Government Property Unit was established in 2010 to work with central government departments to drive savings across the central civil mandated estate. Since May 2010, we have reduced our Estate by 2 million square metres, saving over £750 million in running costs and generating nearly £1.8 billion in capital receipts.

    Funding was agreed at Spending Review for the work which the Government Property Unit is taking forward. This includes our Government Office Hubs Programme, which is driving a radical reshaping of the Civil Service office estate, the One Public Estate Programme which works with local authorities to deliver better services, achieve savings and deliver local growth including releasing land for new homes and jobs.

    We are also taking a more commercial approach to property through the creation of a New Property Model which will help drive better strategic oversight and management of the estate, and provide greater incentives for departments to rationalise the space they occupy.

    The Government Property Unit’s administrative running costs for the FY 2015/16 is forecast as £7.4m.

  • Hilary Benn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Hilary Benn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-01-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Government first received the Final Report of the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen.

    Mr Philip Hammond

    Although this is a leaked document, we are aware of the report and are looking at the conclusions carefully. We recognise the importance of the work of the UN Panel of Experts and we are taking the allegations raised in the report seriously.

  • Jonathan Reynolds – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Jonathan Reynolds – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Reynolds on 2016-02-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many responses to the Government’s consultation on devolving Sunday trading rules were opposed to any relaxation of Sunday trading rules.

    Anna Soubry

    The consultation was about a specific proposal to devolve a power to extend trading hours on Sunday to local areas. The consultation did not ask respondents whether they supported or were opposed to a general relaxation of Sunday trading rules. The Department does not, therefore, hold information on this issue.