The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.
Dominic Raab
The Ministry of Justice has not taken any direct steps in this regard. However, The Government is committed to continuing to support the credit union movement in making financial services more accessible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the DVLA’s investigation into the proper registration of historic vehicles in the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently carrying out a targeted exercise involving a small number of historic vehicles. This is in response to concerns expressed to the DVLA that a number of newly built replica vehicles had been incorrectly registered as historic vehicles.
The DVLA has advised 30 vehicle keepers that, following consideration of the evidence provided, their registrations are correct. A number of keepers have advised the DVLA that they are in the process of gathering the required information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Grant on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, on how many occasions officials of his Department have contacted representatives of a foreign government to ask for an account of private meetings or discussions held between representatives of that government and Welsh Government Ministers in each of the last five years.
Stephen Crabb
On no occasion have Wales Office officials contacted representatives of a foreign government to ask for an account of private meetings or discussions held between representatives of that government and Welsh Government Ministers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve the quality of roads on the motorway network.
Andrew Jones
In 2014 we announced how we were investing £15.2bn capital between 2015 and 2021 to enhance, renew and transform the strategic network, with around £6 billion to help maintain and improve the condition of the strategic road network in England, including resurfacing around 80% of the network.
Highways England are required to keep the motorway network in good condition as one of their key performance indicators.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the potential effect of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market proposals on UK publishers; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Digital Single Market is a stated priority for the Juncker Commission, which could deliver significant gains for both consumers and businesses. As such, Ministers across Government regularly hold discussions in Europe and the UK with our European counterparts on the Digital Single Market including its potential effects on UK’s creative industries and publishers in particular.
Currently there are no Digital Single Market legislative proposals on the table, but we are encouraging the Commission to ensure that future proposals are carefully assessed to ensure that they do not damage incentives to invest in the production of creative content.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many defibrillators have been purchased by new schools nationally in accordance with guidance issued in 2014 by her Department; and what assessment she has made of the effect of this guidance.
Edward Timpson
The Department does not hold information on the number of schools which have staff trained in CPR. All schools should have at least one first-aider, and the number of first-aid personnel will be based on local circumstances, considered as part of a first aid needs assessment in the school. Recognised certificated courses ‘First Aid at Work’ or ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ train staff in the administration of CPR.
The guidance published by the Department in November 2014 promoted a scheme to enable schools to purchase defibrillators at reduced cost. As of 23 October 2015, 735 defibrillators had been purchased by schools through this scheme. The Department does not hold information on the total number of schools with a defibrillator.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance the Government plans to provide to the Philippines to help that country deal with the aftermath of tropical storm Koppu.
Mr Desmond Swayne
Apart from a specific request to the UN humanitarian country team, the Government of the Philippines has not asked for international assistance following Typhoon Koppu. The UK continues to provide support to the Philippines for longer-term reconstruction and disaster resilience following Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. This project contributed to the preparedness for Typhoon Koppu and there are no additional plans for UK assistance at this time.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the National Security Council has discussed the implications for national security of the recently announced closures of steel plants.
Mr Oliver Letwin
Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees is generally not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion. However we are committed to supporting a strong and viable steel industry, and that means taking action across all the areas.
We are tackling unfair trade practices in a number of ways. We have already supported and voted for the renewal of anti-dumping measures at an EU level, and lobbied successfully for an investigation into cheap imports of Reinforcing Steel Bar. We have addressed the impact of climate change policies, with over £50 million of support given to the steel industry to mitigate increasing electricity costs. We are working with the Commission to quickly gain approval for proposals to provide additional relief for the impact of indirect low-carbon energy policy costs.
Once in place, this will save energy intensive industries, like the steel industry hundreds of millions of pounds over the next five years.
We are driving up the number of public contracts won by UK steel manufacturers and their partners through fair and open competition. The National Infrastructure Plan contains projects which will use British steel, including: Crossrail– with 4 UK based companies providing over 50,000 tonnes of steel; and HS2- where Government has already given noticeof the thousands of tonnes of steel that will be needed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christina Rees on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what definition his Department plans to use of large and small employers in relation to qualification for the apprenticeships levy.
Nick Boles
My Rt hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce further details of the apprenticeship levy at the Spending Review, including the scope and rate of the levy and how it will operate with respect to the Devolved Administrations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Osamor on 2015-10-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the provisions in Clauses 13 and 14 of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on the welfare of cancer patients.
Priti Patel
The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July. These are available on the Parliament website: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/welfarereformandwork/documents.html
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