The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills about the effect of bus franchising in the vehicle manufacturing sector.
Andrew Jones
I refer my hon Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole to the answer I gave on 15th February, to Question UIN 26533.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ensure that a cost impact assessment, including the potential impact assessment on the mobile seed cleaning industry, is made for any future emergency order relating to the use of neonicotinoids.
George Eustice
Any future application for authorisation of neonicotinoids for emergency use will be assessed according to the legal requirements. These cover: the risks from use; whether the use addresses a danger which cannot be contained by any other reasonable means; and the means by which the use will be limited and controlled.
The requirement for limited and controlled use includes ensuring that the product is demonstrably targeted towards those growers with the greatest need. The applicant would need to establish an auditable supply chain to ensure this requirement was met.
The assessment of the application would be based on the case made by the applicant. If the requirements outlined above are met, the Government would have no grounds for withholding authorisation.
However, there is no clear reason why it would be necessary to exclude farm-saved seed in designing appropriate control measures for an emergency authorisation of pesticide use on oilseed rape. We have drawn this issue to the attention of potential applicants.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-04-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many places through Health Education England have been available for Healthcare Cadet apprenticeships in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; and what forecast he has made of the number of such places that will be made available in 2016-17.
Ben Gummer
Health Education England (HEE) is committed to supporting a range of vocational based learning programmes, including the healthcare cadet apprenticeships in the North West.
Health Education England North West make approximately 400 places available through the programme every year. HEE undertook an extensive consultation with National Health Service trusts and dental practices, about the Healthcare Cadet Scheme. On the basis of the feedback received, HEE decided to close the programme and have developed a new model for vocational training to start in April 2017.
Healthcare cadetships are available in other areas. No data is collected centrally on these.
There are several Healthcare Cadet apprenticeship schemes in operation across England. No data is available on national spending on these schemes. No national assessment has been made on the effectiveness of Healthcare Cadet schemes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sharkey on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Leader of the House what was the average time in (1) the 2015–16 Session, and (2) each of the last five Sessions before that, between the publication of a select committee report and its being debated; and how many select committee reports published in the 2015–16 Session and the previous five Sessions were undebated (1) 12 months, and (2) six months, after publication.
Baroness Stowell of Beeston
My office does not hold the information requested.
My Noble Friend the Government Chief Whip makes regular offers of time for debates on Select Committee reports to the Committee Office. The Committee Office then coordinate among Chairmen to determine which reports are debated on such occasions and in what order.
Sixteen select committee reports were debated in the last session and debates on nine reports have been arranged thus far this session.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure the long-term future of S4C.
Matt Hancock
We are strong supporters of S4C and Welsh language broadcasting . We have committed to a comprehensive review of S4C in 2017 which will look at a range of issues including funding arrangements, remit, accountability and governance.
In order for S4C to continue to provide a first-class service and have a sustainable future, we announced (on Wednesday 3rd February) an extra £400,000 funding for 2016/17.
As set out in the BBC White Paper, the BBC will maintain a commitment to Welsh language broadcasting services – we expect the BBC to continue its partnership with S4C to deliver TV services in Wales during the next Charter period.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will publish his Department’s negotiating priorities for a free trade deal with the EU.
Mr Robin Walker
We are about to begin these negotiations and it would be wrong to set out unilateral positions in advance. At every step of these negotiations we will work to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2015-10-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2015 to Question 13005, whether the decrease in the take-up of free school meals includes children now entitled to universal infant free school meals.
Mr Sam Gyimah
The figures provided in response to Question 13005 include all benefits-related claims for free school meals. The figures include infants for whom a claim for benefits-related free school meals has been made, but do not include other infants.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2015-11-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 24 November (HL3768), how local support for Police and Crime Commissioners to take responsibility for fire and rescue services in their areas will be assessed.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The recent consultation on enabling closer working between the emergency services detailed the proposed process for assessing local support where a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is seeking to take responsibility for fire and rescue services. This includes a requirement for the PCC to consult locally and, where the PCC and relevant local authorities are not in agreement, Ministers may seek an independent assessment on the merits of transferring fire and rescue to the PCC before making a decision.
The Government is still considering the responses to the consultation before the proposals can be finalised. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-12-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what expenditure his Department was on (a) temporary agency staff, (b) consultants, (c) non-payroll staff, (d) administration and (e) marketing and advertising on making the Defence Infrastructure Organisation government-owned in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15.
Mark Lancaster
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has been led by a Strategic Business Partner (SBP) since September 2014. The SBP contract allowed for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to instruct the incorporation of DIO as a Government-owned company (GovCo), subject to a value for money review.
I announced the conclusions of the review in my written statement of 10 December 2015 (Official Report, columns 55-56WS). The GovCo model would have been led by the SBP but 100% owned by the Secretary of State for Defence. A GovCo is distinct from a Government-owned contractor-operated organisation (GOCO) which has a different legal construct. The MOD has never proposed for the DIO to become a GOCO.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which local authorities in Scotland on what dates he (a) has visited and (b) plans to visit.
David Mundell
a) I have visited the following local authorities in Scotland:
b) I plan to visit the following local authorities in Scotland in early 2016 (dates to be confirmed):