The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-02-24.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to support the British gin industry.
Damian Hinds
The government is committed to supporting the British gin industry. The duty on gin was cut by 2% at March Budget 2015, building on the duty freeze at Budget 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to end arms exports to Saudi Arabia.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. A licence will not be issued for any country, including Saudi Arabia, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria.
The Government is satisfied that extant licences for Saudi Arabia are compliant with the UK’s export licensing criteria.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-05-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how often parents claiming universal credit will be required to report their childcare costs to his Department; and if he will make a statement.
Priti Patel
In the Universal Credit full service, claimants need to report childcare costs in the monthly assessment period in which they paid them, to ensure timely and accurate adjustments to the Universal Credit assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the general aviation risk assessment tool form has been amended in response to the recommendations made in the report by the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, An Inspection of General Aviation and General Maritime, published in January 2016; whether additional training has been provided to Border Force officers responsible for completing those forms; and if she will make a statement.
James Brokenshire
Border Force fully accepted the recommendations of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration regarding General Aviation and General Maritime and is implementing changes as quickly as practicable. Border Force is working with other government departments and partners to deliver improvement during 2016-2017 and is closely monitoring progress.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Deidre Brock on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether those parts of the Schengen Agreement which currently apply to the UK will continue to apply after the UK leaves the EU.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The future arrangements between the UK and the EU will be decided as part of the negotiations around our exit. Officials are exploring options for future cooperation arrangements, and we will do what is necessary to keep people safe. It would, however, be wrong to set out unilateral positions in advance of the negotiations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the time advisors from the Citizens Advice Bureau are placed on hold while making enquiries on behalf of clients for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments claims.
Damian Hinds
The information is not available and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2015-11-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent UN Commission of Inquiry report on human rights abuses in Eritrea under President Isaias Afwerki.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We recognise the important work of the UN Commission of Inquiry and are concerned by their findings on human rights in Eritrea, in particular reports of arbitrary detention, and shortcomings in the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms. At the Human Rights Council in July, we supported an extension of the Commission’s mandate so that it can continue its work.
We regret that the Commission has been unable to visit Eritrea and therefore had to rely on witnesses who are outside of Eritrea and whose testimony may have been based on first-hand experience of Eritrea some time ago. We have made clear to the Government of Eritrea that it must improve respect for human rights and honour its international obligations, including allowing the Commission access.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the UK’s coal resources are used in the most effective manner.
Andrea Leadsom
The UK’s coal mining sector continues to meet a significant proportion of UK demand – in 2014, this was around 20%. In recent years, a number of domestic mining companies have struggled to remain profitable as a result of changes in the global coal market, and the Government has provided substantial financial support to avert the insolvent and unmanaged closure of these mines.
The Government continues to engage regularly with the coal sector to discuss the role of coal as we transition to a low carbon economy.
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced recently that we will look to limit our use of coal from 2023, with an end date of 2025 and we will consult on this in the New Year. However, security of supply remains non-negotiable and no decisions will be taken which puts this at risk.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-01-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding measures taken by that government against Palestinian herding communities in Area C during November and December 2015, including the destruction of items provided by international organisations as humanitarian assistance.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We have not made representations on these specific issues to the Israeli authorities. We do, however, regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities over demolitions and settlement-building.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when in January 2016 the decision to issue compulsory redundancy notices to 152 HM Revenue and Customs staff was made.
Mr David Gauke
Approval to proceed to compulsory redundancy for 152 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff was received from Civil Service Resourcing and the Cabinet Office following consultation with the departmental trade unions and a period of reflection. It was endorsed by HMRC’s Executive Committee and the final decision was taken by the Chief Executive on 28 January 2016.
The 152 people affected are based in around 50 locations across the UK. HMRC is continuing to seek redeployment solutions for all those who wish it to do so.