The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsty Blackman on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 9 November 2015 to Question 14925, on publications, what deadlines his Department places on its publication of transparency information.
David Mundell
I refer the hon Member to my answer of 9 November 2015 (UIN 14925).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Quirk on 2015-12-07.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 17 November (HL3221) concerning the use of forensic linguistics by the Home Office in immigration cases, whether they have plans to enable the admittance in court, as in some other European jurisdictions, of evidence derived from forensic linguistics, and if not, what are their reasons.
Lord Bates
Evidence derived from language analysis undertaken for immigration purposes is admissible and, in practice, is routinely presented in immigration appeals.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-01-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Government has undertaken an environmental impact assessment of its policy to privatise the Green Investment Bank.
Anna Soubry
As set out in the answer to question 22471 on 18 January, the Government is moving UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) into private ownership so it can continue operating in the same way it does now only funded with private capital rather than relying on taxpayers’ support. The detailed background and supporting case for this move was set out in the policy statement we published on 18 November. Decisions on the proposed sale are being taken in accordance with best practice to ensure all available options are properly examined in a detailed business case and that a robust valuation process is followed. The process does not involve preparation of an environmental impact assessment as we do not envisage any direct environmental or regulatory impacts of a majority sale of GIB, or changes to pre-existing policy goals for GIB.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2016-02-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Prime Minister will increase the Government’s commitment beyond 20,000 on the number of Syrian refugees it plans to offer asylum to.
Richard Harrington
The UK has already committed to resettling 20,000 refugees from the region during this parliament through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme, and we have no plans to increase this at the present time.
Resettlement is only one strand of our efforts in the region, and is complemented by the UK’s significant humanitarian aid programme, and our diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. We believe this approach is the best way to ensure that the UK’s help has the greatest impact for the majority of refugees who remain in the region and their host countries.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 February 2016 to Question 27211, whether the remit of permission granted to use the Sigonella air station extends to UK (a) Reaper launch and recovery operations and (b) combat missions.
Penny Mordaunt
We have had a long-standing presence at Naval Air Station Sigonella, and have made frequent use of it. However, it is not normal practice to comment on the details of arrangements with host nations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mowat on 2016-04-11.
To ask the Attorney General, what steps the CPS is taking to improve the conviction rate for hate crimes involving disabled people.
Robert Buckland
The CPS treats all allegations of hate crime, including those involving disabled people, extremely seriously and continues to place priority on this work. Legal guidance on disability hate crime was refreshed in 2015 and a supporting training package was delivered to all CPS lawyers by January 2016. This equips prosecutors with up to date knowledge to inform their decision making and approach to building the strongest cases possible. In addition, a National Scrutiny Panel on disability is assisting with the development of further refinements to policy guidance on crimes against disabled people and the preparation of a joint CPS/Police/HMCTS statement concerning support to disabled victims of crime.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-05-03.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the budget is for the Anti-Corruption Summit on 12 May 2016.
Matthew Hancock
The final costs of the Summit are still to be confirmed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2016-06-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of ongoing maintenance on the UK P-8 Poseidon has been conducted in the US under US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Mr Philip Dunne
The main investment decision on the UK’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft programme has not yet been taken by Ministers, and no contracts have been placed to procure the P-8 Poseidon aircraft. No maintenance activity has therefore taken place on a British P-8 Poseidon aircraft.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Geoffrey Cox on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to promote battlefield tourism in (a) England and (b) Northam in Torridge and West Devon constituency.
Tracey Crouch
There are 46 Registered Battlefields in England, 22% of these are located in the South West. Through the recently published Tourism Action Plan and Discover England Fund this Government is encouraging visitors, both domestic and international, to venture beyond London, so that the benefits of growth can be felt across the whole of the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding his Department has allocated to the Troubled Families programme for (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19.
Mr Marcus Jones
At the Spending Review 2015 £720 million was allocated to fund the remaining four years of the programme. The funding allocated to the Troubled Families Programme is currently £230 million in 16/17, £180 million in 17/18, and £180 million in 18/19. The Department for Communities and Local Government works closely with other government departments which have an interest, including the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health.