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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Tracey Crouch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tracey Crouch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tracey Crouch on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effects of puppy trafficking on the welfare of the UK dog population.

    George Eustice

    A comprehensive risk assessment carried out in 2011prior to the UK’s harmonisation with the EU Pet Travel Scheme concluded that the risk of an animal with rabies coming into the UK is very low and the risk of rabies being passed from a pet to a person is lower still. The details of this assessment are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/rabies/. This risk assessmentconsidered how the risk of rabies introduction from all countries would change based on (a) where the rules are followed with 100% compliance and (b) where the rules are followed with varying degrees of less than 100% compliance. The risk assessment also incorporated both intra-EU and third country movements and its conclusions are valid for animals moving under both the EU Pet Travel Scheme and commercial movements as the risk mitigation measures are the same for both categories.

    “

  • Kate Hoey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Kate Hoey – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hoey on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps officials of the UK Permanent Representation to the EU are taking to ensure that the Government’s objectives are met for the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals under the provisions of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive.

    Jane Ellison

    I raised the issue of the establishment of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements with Tonio Borg, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, on 10 December 2013, emphasising the importance that any future proposals should be based on science and safety, to allow for the highest safe maximum levels. The nature of the United Kingdom (UK) market and potential impact on availability of thousands of products was underlined. This will be an important issue to raise with the new European Commissioner when appointed.

    Officials at the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union (EU) continue to monitor for any development of proposalsfrom the European Commission for setting maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals under the provisions of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive. Should such a proposal be issued, officials at the UK Representation to the EU will advise and assist the Department in the delivery of the Government’s negotiating objectives.

  • Charlie Elphicke – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Charlie Elphicke – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-UK citizens attempting to enter the UK illegally or clandestinely were apprehended by UK border control agencies at the ports of (a) Dover and (b) Calais in each year between 1999 and 2014.

    James Brokenshire

    To ensure the integrity and security of the UK border Her Majesty’s Government
    cannot comment on port specific statistics.

    Under Information Commissioner Guidelines statistics for UK port activity may
    only be released at a regional level.

  • Richard Burden – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

    Richard Burden – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Prime Minister, what receptions were held in 10 Downing Street on each day in the week commencing 21 April 2014; and what the occasion was of each reception.

    Mr David Cameron

    Details of official and charity receptions held at Downing Street are published on a quarterly basis. Details can be accessed via the gov.uk website.

  • Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of single people who will be claiming universal credit in the first year of the roll-out of universal credit in the six boroughs of the Merseyside Jobcentre Plus district.

    Esther McVey

    [Holding answer 1 May 2014]

    The Department announced on 5th December 2013 that Universal Credit would roll out in the North West in Summer 2014. The Department confirmed on 30 April that it is now in discussion with relevant Local Authorities in the North West on the detailed planning to make that happen.

    As with Jobseeker’s Allowance, the Department does not hold forecasts of UC claimant numbers split by both borough, and then by marital status within that borough. Claimant numbers at this degree of detail will be influenced by a range of factors; these include likely local demographics and likely economic conditions within each borough. It is not possible to combine these in any meaningful way, and any such estimates might prove to be unreliable.

  • Katy Clark – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Katy Clark – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on increasing the range of services provided by the Post Office network.

    Jenny Willott

    Post Office Ltd, with its network of over 11,500 branches, is well placed to become a provider of front office services for Government, helping citizens interact with Government either face-to-face or online.

    While public services must be competitively tendered, Post Office Ltd has shown that it can very effectively bid for and win new work. It has won every Government contract it has bid for the past three years in highly competitive tendering processes.

    In particular, in 2012 it successfully bid for the competitively-tendered DVLA framework contract for Front Office Counter Services (FOCS). This contract runs to 2020 and is available to other Government departments. For example HM Passport Office recently moved its services with Post Office Ltd onto FOCS and this Department and the Cabinet Office are in close contact about a range of other opportunities.

    Furthermore, Post Office Ltd was recently one of the successful bidders for the Cabinet Office’s online identity assurance contract, ensuring that Post Office Ltd can play a role in the delivery of modern, online Government services.

    Whilst I continue to highlight to my colleagues the opportunities available to Government from using the Post Office network and contracts such as these, individual contracts are a matter for the services in question and their respective public bodies and departments. I have not had recent discussions specifically with the Northern Ireland Executive.

  • Alun Cairns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Alun Cairns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alun Cairns on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation on Streamlining Regulatory and Competition Appeals launched in June 2013; and on what timetable he intends to introduce reforms arising from that consultation.

    Jenny Willott

    We hope to publish the Government response before Summer. Any legislative changes we decide to make will be taken forward when Parliamentary time permits.

  • Robert Halfon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Robert Halfon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Halfon on 2014-04-25.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had on combining national insurance and income tax.

    Mr David Gauke

    As set out at Autumn Statement 2012, the Government will wait for further progress on planned operational changes to the tax system before formally consulting on the operational integration of income tax and NICs.

    Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

    Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:

    http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

    “

  • Graeme Morrice – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Graeme Morrice – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graeme Morrice on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of emergency telephone coverage in West Lothian local authority area.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not made any specific assessment of the adequacy of emergency telephone coverage in the West Lothian local authority area. However, the Department and the independent national telecommunications regulator (Ofcom) work closely with all the Scottish emergency services and communications providers on matters such as this through the Government’s 999/112 Liaison Committee. All the Scottish emergency services have been key contributors both in discussions on next generation access to 999 and in reviewing the code of practice that defines how emergency services and telecommunications providers work together.

  • David Mowat – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    David Mowat – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mowat on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department takes to audit or monitor the outcomes of successful applications to the Armed Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund.

    Anna Soubry

    The Ministry of Defence administers the £35 million LIBOR Fund on behalf of the Cabinet Office-led Covenant Reference Group. Successful projects are funded on the basis of a standard set of terms and conditions plus additional measures as appropriate. Those who receive funding are required to produce regular monitoring reports, and to retain financial data for audit purposes.