The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-10-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2016 to Question 44352, for what contracts the largest three total payments were made to (a) PwC, (b) Deloitte, (c) Ernst and Young and (d) KPMG in the last three years.
Rory Stewart
Detail on all DFID spend is available via our departmental website.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with his counterparts in (a) China, (b) Vietnam and (c) South Korea about the dog meat trade in those countries.
Mr Hugo Swire
The Government is committed to raising the standards of animal welfare at home and abroad. Whilst there are no international norms, laws or agreements governing the trade and consumption of dog meat, we believe it is necessary to work with governments to gain agreement on animal welfare standards and phase out cruel and inhuman farming practices.
I raised the importance of animal welfare with the Vietnamese government during my visit in February. Our Ambassador in Seoul has raised the issue of cruelty related to the dog meat trade with the South Korean authorities, explaining that UK Parliamentarians and the public would like to see regulation that would bring this to an end. Ministers have also raised the issue with Chinese counterparts, and we continue to work alongside the authorities there to help protect the welfare of stray animals.
I will be writing to all relevant Ambassadors about this issue in due course and the Government will consider a review of how we interact with various international organisations on dog meat consumption, specifically on the issue of health.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many shipbuilding jobs will be supported by the construction of each of the (a) eight Type 26 anti-submarine frigates that are scheduled to be ordered and (b) proposed five new frigates to be developed under the new light frigate programme.
Mr Philip Dunne
We have begun the detailed work to take forward the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and the new general purpose frigate programmes outlined in the White Paper ‘National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 (Cmd 9161)’. It is too early to say how many jobs will be sustained by these programmes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sharkey on 2016-01-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what help and advice is available to Muslim students who wish to progress to higher education but for whom an interest-bearing student loan would be a violation of their religious principles, and where that help and advice can be accessed.
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
The Government is aware that some students, whose religious beliefs may prevent the taking out of a loan that bears interest, may feel unable to take advantage of student loans. In April 2014 BIS conducted a consultation on an alternative finance product for undergraduate students. Upon review of consultation responses, the Government supported the introduction of a Takaful Alternative Finance product available to everyone. This work is ongoing and subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government hopes to introduce the system through new legislation.
All students can access advice and guidance on the financial support available to them from Student Finance England on the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/contact-student-finance-england
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury on 2016-02-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many meetings took place between May 2015 and January 2016 inclusive, in which ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport discussed the future of Channel 4.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Details of Ministerial meetings, and Permanent Secretary meetings, with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and are available via the gov.uk website.
Historic records of internal government meetings are not kept.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Wolf of Dulwich on 2016-03-07.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the London cycle superhighways (1) under construction, and (2) proposed and out for consultation, are being built on red routes.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The London cycle superhighways are a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). TfL have provided the following information:
|
Cycle superhighway Route |
Status |
Total Length |
Length on Transport for London |
% on Transport for London |
|
(miles) |
Road Network (“red routes”) (miles) |
Road Network (“red routes”) |
||
|
CS5i |
Complete |
0.87 |
0.87 |
100% |
|
CS1 |
Under Construction |
6.84 |
0.50 |
7% |
|
CS2U |
Under Construction |
2.86 |
2.86 |
100% |
|
CSNS Phase 1 |
Under Construction |
1.62 |
1.49 |
92% |
|
CSEW Phase 1 |
Under Construction |
7.02 |
2.55 |
36% |
|
CSNS Phase 2 |
Consultation |
1.68 |
0.56 |
33% |
|
CSEW Phase 2 |
Consultation |
4.53 |
4.04 |
89% |
|
CS11 Phase 1 |
Consultation |
4.47 |
0.37 |
8% |
|
Total |
N/A |
29.89 |
13.24 |
44% |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that high speed rail will interconnect effectively with the rest of the transport network.
Mr Patrick McLoughlin
HS2 will not be a separate, standalone railway. It will be an integrated part of a 21st Century transport network.
Through our interchange stations, classic compatible trains and exploitation of the released capacity we will deliver the integrated service that passengers need. Our work with local areas to implement Growth Strategies will ensure HS2 integrates with local transport networks.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-06-06.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what strategy they have to prevent the annexation of the West Bank by Israel.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK’s longstanding position is clear: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a fair and agreed settlement for refugees. We regularly urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to meet their obligations under the Oslo Accords. We also call on all parties to abide by International Humanitarian Law and to promote peace, stability and security.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Black of Brentwood on 2016-07-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they collect statistics on the number of domestic animals that die as a result of being locked in a car or other motor vehicle either because of lack of oxygen or from heat; and if so, how many such deaths were recorded in the last five years.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government does not keep records of numbers of animals that die as a result of being locked in cars. Records of prosecutions related to animals dying in vehicles would fall under the general offence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal which do not provide details of individual cases.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which agreed EU directives have not yet been transposed directly into UK law; and if he will make a statement.
Kris Hopkins
Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.
There are no EU directives related to the Department’s responsibilities awaiting transposition into UK law.