The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2015-10-22.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many serving members of each branch of the armed forces are in receipt of (a) child and (b) working tax credits.
Damian Hinds
I refer the member to the answer I provided on the 13 July 2015 to question 14259:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his policy to procure 13 Type 26 frigates.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September 2015 to Question number 8460 to the hon. Member for Glasgow South West (Chris Stephens).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of unmanned drone missions flown over Syria in the last year; and if he will make a statement.
Penny Mordaunt
The net additional costs associated with REAPER operations over Iraq and Syria to the end of September 2015 were an estimated £43 million.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Brendan O’Hara on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with Babcock on the proposal to extend the limit of restoration of Electrical Shore Supplies to nuclear powered submarines at HMNB Clyde from 20 minutes up to a maximum of three hours.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews nuclear related processes and procedures with industry partners and with regulators, which includes independent safety scrutiny. Safety remains our priority.
I cannot comment on specific timescales for the restoration of Electrical Shore Supplies to nuclear powered submarines nor reports produced in connection with this, as to do so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential economic benefit of carbon capture and storage being used as a means to increase oil and gas production from the UK Continental Shelf.
Andrea Leadsom
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has the potential to play an important role in enabling the UK to decarbonise its energy system. The Wood Review recognised that offshore storage of carbon dioxide could potentially benefit the UK continental shelf, and called for continued collaboration between industry, academia and DECC as the most appropriate means to realise the opportunity.
With the UK continental shelf now being one of the more mature offshore basins in the world, the Wood Review identified a range of key issues which the Government and industry must jointly address to deliver maximum economic recovery (MER) of UK petroleum, stressing the importance of a focused regulator. In accordance with the recommendations of the Wood Review, the Government is working to establish the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), as a body with the objective of delivering MER.
The Government has taken steps to set up the OGA quickly in accordance with the recommendations of the Wood Review, which continues to attract strong industry support. In addition to its role as licencing authority for offshore carbon dioxide storage, the OGA is developing the Sector Strategies called for by the Wood Review. In developing the Technology and Decommissioning Sector Strategies, the OGA is considering the potential for offshore storage of carbon dioxide to help achieve MER.
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques that utilise carbon dioxide may also have a role in increasing hydrocarbon recovery in future. In its Technology Sector Strategy, the OGA will consider the potential contribution that the various EOR technologies, including carbon dioxide EOR, could make towards MER.
The OGA’s key actions are already providing crucial support to the oil and gas industry. Without this, we risk premature decommissioning of the UK continental shelf, loss of stranded assets and loss of the key infrastructure and skills – including those which could ultimately promote the longevity of the industry through carbon dioxide storage projects. This underlines the importance of the OGA focusing upon maximising economic recovery and constructively engaging with the CCS industry.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Fitzpatrick on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how frequently cattle in each region are tested for bovine TB.
George Eustice
All herds in the designated High Risk and Edge Areas of England are subject to annual surveillance testing for bovine TB, except for herds in the part of Cheshire falling within the Edge Area, which is currently subject to six-monthly testing. In the designated Low Risk Area all herds are subject to four yearly surveillance testing for bovine TB, except for certain higher risk herds which are subject to annual testing. Herds in all risk areas may also be subject to additional TB testing as a result of TB breakdowns
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the parties to the conflict in Yemen on their complying with obligations under international humanitarian law and on ending the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We are aware of reports on alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) by all sides to the conflict in Yemen, and take them very seriously. We have raised our concerns over alleged IHL violations with the Saudi Arabian Government and other members of the Coalition, and in return have received repeated assurances of their compliance. We have also raised our concerns over alleged IHL and international human rights law violations by the Houthis, and again stressed the importance of compliance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2015 to Question 11322, on NHS training, for what reasons the materials were withdrawn from the Library.
Jane Ellison
Due to an administrative error, the wrong documents were placed in the Library. We are looking into this as a matter of urgency and an update will be provided to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dr Alasdair McDonnell on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress is being made to facilitate the arrival of Syrian refugees to Northern Ireland under the vulnerable persons relocation scheme.
Richard Harrington
The Home Office is working very closely with officials from the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) to assist Northern Ireland’s offer to welcome Syrians in need of help. At local level, the Home Office is represented in Northern Ireland at OFMdFM’s Syrian Refugee Strategic and Operational Planning Groups. We are also assisting OFMdFM officials in introducing the processes needed to enable the first intake of Syrian refugees to arrive in Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department conducted an (a) impact assessment and (b) internal review of the effect of the transfer of responsibility for freedom of information to the Cabinet Office prior to that transfer.
Dominic Raab
It is for the Prime Minister to decide on the overall organisation of the executive. The implications of transferring responsibility for the Freedom of Information Act to the Cabinet Office were considered prior to this change taking effect. A formal impact assessment was not necessary.