The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Kane on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will re-introduce its strategy for abolition of the death penalty.
Mr David Lidington
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given by my noble friend Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 25 January 2016 in reply to The Marquess of Lothian’s question (HL5007). https://wqa.parliament.uk/Questions/Details/28566
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anne Main on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to meet the EU’s nitrogen dioxide emissions target.
Rory Stewart
The UK currently meets the EU legal requirements for almost all pollutants, but we know there is still more to do and that the UK faces significant challenges in meeting EU requirements for nitrogen dioxide.
The national air quality plan, published in December last year, sets out a comprehensive approach for meeting the air quality challenges by implementing a new programme of Clean Air Zones. The plan combines targeted local and national measures, forming part of a wider approach that exploits new and clean technologies, such as electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.
The Government has committed over £2 billion since 2011 to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, support green transport initiatives and support local authorities to take action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Valerie Vaz on 2016-07-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements were made for the declaration of (a) financial and (b) other interests by technical advisers to the independent review of the Investigatory Powers Bill before their appointment.
Mr Ben Wallace
The Government has published the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of Bulk Powers, which set out the composition of the review team. It was for David Anderson, as the independent reviewer to select the team best equipped to carry out the review and to critically appraise the need for bulk capabilities. David Anderson also published a summary for each member of the team setting out their experience and the diverse qualities which they will bring to the review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2016-09-14.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Interministerial Group on Clean Growth plans to continue to meet.
Ben Gummer
Clean growth continues to be a priority for this Government. The full list of Interministerial Groups is currently being finalised.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to ensure a more reliable train service is provided to Neston.
Claire Perry
After the Silk Commission recommendations, further powers in Transport are to be devolved to the Welsh Government. We are currently in discussion with the Welsh Government about the future of the Wales and Borders franchise, including the cross-border services such as those serving Neston.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2015-12-15.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to establish an independent external assessment of the reasons for the failure of the contract for older people’s services in Cambridge and Peterborough; and what plans they have for a moratorium on further large-scale procurements until lessons from that contract have been learnt.
Lord Prior of Brampton
NHS England advises that it will be commissioning an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the termination of the contract between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group and UnitingCare Partnership LLP to deliver urgent care for the over 65s and adult community services. This will include the role of the Strategic Projects Team. NHS England is also considering how similar contracts will be managed and assured in the future.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Phil Boswell on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policy on apprenticeships of the finding of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in its report, Engineered in Britain, published in December 2015, that more than half of manufacturers think that a lack of skilled people is the biggest danger to UK manufacturing.
Nick Boles
Skills policy is a devolved area so the Devolved Administrations have complete flexibility over how to support businesses in all sectors to ensure there are sufficient skilled workers. In England, our 2020 Vision sets out how we will reach 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020. We are supporting the growth of apprenticeships in all sectors by working with large and small businesses to begin or expand their programmes, setting new expectations for public sector bodies, and through public procurement.
Employer-led reforms continue to improve the quality of apprenticeships, with employers designing new apprenticeship standards that fully meet their skills needs. Employers in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector are involved in developing apprenticeship standards in over 30 occupations, including aerospace engineer and manufacturing engineer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that individuals affected by the abolition of Council Tax Benefit are made aware of their review of that policy and encouraged to participate in it.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The independent review of Local Council Tax Support Schemes commenced on the 2 December 2015. The chair, Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, put out a public call for evidence which was announced and promoted in our press release of the same date. The public call for evidence ran from the 2 December 2015 to 12 January 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-03-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 25 January 2016 to Question 23475, on what date in March 2016 he expects the first report on progress against the referral to treatment element of the Early Intervention Psychosis access standard to be published.
Alistair Burt
The Health and Social Care Information Centre Monthly Statistics – Provisional January 2016, which includes experimental statistics relating to the Early Intervention for Psychosis access standard, is scheduled to be published on 31 March 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nadine Dorries on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the strength of German-Russian relations and their (a) effect on European energy security and (b) implications for the UK.
Mr David Lidington
Germany’s relations with Russia like those of all other EU Member States, have been significantly impaired by Russia’s aggressive behaviour in recent years. Germany has adopted all measures agreed by EU and NATO Member States in respect of their economic and political relationship with Russia.
It is an overriding principle that in their dealings with Russia, all EU Member States ensure that they fully comply with EU legislation, including internal energy market legislation and competition law. This legislation provides a clear and stable framework that enables the delivery of sustainable, secure and competitive energy and supports long term investment in Europe’s and the UK’s energy market.