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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • MiDavies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    MiDavies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by MiDavies on 2016-04-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what measures his Department has in place for helping to ensure that areas without parish or town councils are (a) serving demand for allotments and (b) ensuring adequate protection for currently designated allotment land.

    Brandon Lewis

    Responsibility for the provision and management of allotments rests with local authorities. Section 23 of the Allotments and Smallholdings Act 1908 places a duty on councils (excluding London Boroughs) to provide allotments where they perceive there is a demand for them. This is a matter for each council bound by the duty to determine.

    Local authorities are required under Section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925 to obtain consent from the Secretary of State to dispose of statutory allotments. Section 8 applications are considered against criteria set out by the Secretary of State. The department published guidance in January 2014 – Allotment Disposal Guidance: Safeguards and alternatives – which clarifies the legal and policy safeguards in place to ensure that disposal is properly and thoroughly handled. The guidance is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/allotment-disposal-guidance-safeguards-and-alternatives.

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  • Anna Turley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Anna Turley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what support her Department is providing to recipients of Green Deal funding whose vouchers expired before their home improvements were completed.

    Andrea Leadsom

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 26 May 2016, Question number 37787.

  • Stephen Gethins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    Stephen Gethins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-07-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with Ministers from the devolved administrations since he took office.

    Mr David Davis

    The Government will fully involve the devolved administrations, including Scotland, as we prepare for negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU. We are working towards securing the best possible deal for the whole UK, and we will work closely with colleagues in the devolved administrations. Details of Ministerial meetings will be published in the Department’s Quarterly Transparency Returns, which will be made publicly available on GOV.UK.

  • Sammy Wilson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Sammy Wilson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sammy Wilson on 2016-10-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the threat from the Asian hornet to the honeybee population in the UK.

    Dr Thérèse Coffey

    A contingency plan outlining the Government’s response against the Asian hornet is in place. The emergency measures it sets out are tested twice a year by the National Bee Unit ensuring that all field inspectors and support staff are trained in how to respond should an outbreak occur.

    Following a confirmed sighting of the Asian hornet in Gloucestershire, the National Bee Unit (NBU) enacted our established biosecurity protocols to confirm the scale of the outbreak and eradicate the pest. A single nest was located and destroyed. To date, no more live hornets have been seen in this area.

    The outbreak follows on from a policy review in 2013 whereby the National Bee Unit (NBU) increased the number of risk-based exotic pest inspections it carries out each year. These are targeted at early interception of non-native invasive species such as the Asian hornet. NBU Bee Inspectors also routinely provide advice and training to beekeepers to raise awareness of the threat and the need for vigilance.

    The Non-Native Species Secretariat has carried out a risk assessment looking at the risks and impacts of an Asian hornet outbreak. The key threat is believed to be against honey bee species, rather than other bee species. Asian hornets will impact on native species through predation, competition and impact on natural pollination.

  • David Hanson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    David Hanson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2015-10-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many diplomatic staff whose work includes tackling the illegal wildlife trade are based in (a) China, (b) Vietnam, (c) Laos, (d) Malaysia, (e) Botswana, (f) Mozambique, (g) Gabon, (h) South Africa, (i) Thailand and (j) India.

    James Duddridge

    The numbers requested of diplomatic staff whose work includes illegal wildlife trade are as follows:

    China – 5
    Vietnam- 3
    Laos- 2
    Malaysia – 1
    Botswana -2
    Mozambique- 2
    Gabon -2
    South Africa -2
    Thailand- 2
    India -1

    In most cases our diplomatic staff in these Posts spend a proportion of their overall time on this issue and are supported by locally engaged staff who also work on tackling illegal wildlife trade.

  • Lord Crathorne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord Crathorne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Crathorne on 2015-11-25.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to build bicycle tracks when new roads are constructed in the UK.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    Management of roads is a devolved issue so I can only respond in respect of roads in England.

    Highways England have committed to provide a safer, integrated and more accessible strategic road network for cyclists and other vulnerable road users, and will play a key role in ensuring that the ambition set for growth in cycling is fully supported by a dedicated programme of work to improve cycle facilities on or near our strategic road network.To support this, The Government has outlined a commitment to invest £100m between 2015/16 and 2020/21 to improve provision for cyclists on the strategic road network.

    On a local level, provision of cycling infrastructure is for local traffic authorities as they are responsible for managing their road networks. The Department encourages them to ensure cycling is considered as part of the process of planning new development.The Department for Transport’s Cycle Infrastructure Design guidance supports local authorities on providing cycle-safe infrastructure for cyclists. The Government will continue to support sustainable transport with a new £580 million ‘Access’ fund, with £80 million revenue and £500 million capital. This will build on the legacy of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and support growth in both cycling and walking.

  • Ann Clwyd – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Ann Clwyd – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-12-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Kyrgyzstan about the role and future of international non-governmental organisations working on human rights; and whether he has raised with that government the ban on the head of the Human Rights Watch office in Bishkek.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    During his visit to Kyrgyzstan in October 2014, Minister of State for Justice Lord Faulks discussed with Kyrgyz interlocutors a number of human rights issues, including the Foreign Agents Bill and other legislation that might restrict freedoms of expression and association. Our Embassy in Bishkek has also raised our concerns on a number of occasions with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and with Kyrgyz parliamentarians. We were concerned to hear of the refusal to grant entry to the Kyrgyz Republic to a representative from Human Rights Watch on 2 December. We are seeking further clarification from the Kyrgyz authorities. We will continue to raise our concerns about human rights directly with the government of Kyrgyzstan, and in suitable international fora, at every appropriate opportunity.

  • George Howarth – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    George Howarth – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2016-01-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people the Work and Health Innovation Fund will assist; and whether that fund will include initiatives to help people with (a) rheumatoid arthritis and (b) other long-term conditions stay in work.

    Priti Patel

    This government committed in the Autumn Statement 2015 to spend ‘at least £40 million’ on the. Work and Health Innovation Fund. The fund will support a range of trials to generate evidence of ‘what works’ in supporting disabled people and people with health conditions to get into and stay in work.

    The type and size of trials are currently being developed.

    The government committed to publishing a work and health white paper this year, which will share the initial Work and Health Innovation Fund proposals.

  • Iain Wright – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Iain Wright – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2016-02-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the apprenticeship levy on the training requirements of small and medium-sized firms unable to access the levy.

    Nick Boles

    When the apprenticeships levy is introduced in April 2017, small and medium sized employers will continue to have access to government funding to support apprenticeships. We will provide further details on the support available later this year.

  • Cheryl Gillan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Cheryl Gillan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-03-21.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Natura 20000 sites are located within 10 miles of the proposed route of phase two of High Speed 2.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    There are 18 Natura 2000 sites within 10 miles of the proposed Phase 2 route. This is the route as proposed in the July 2013 route consultation.