The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steven Paterson on 2015-11-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Artful is planned to be in active service.
Mr Philip Dunne
It is planned that Artful will be handed over to the Royal Navy in December 2015. I cannot comment on when Artful will be deployed on active service as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2015-12-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with the (a) London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and (b) Mayor of London on releasing the LLDC West Ham United Football Club contract.
Tracey Crouch
The contract relating to West Ham United Football Club’s use of the Olympic Stadium is between the West Ham and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). Any decision regarding whether to release contract details is a matter for the LLDC.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2016-01-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes she plans to make to advice on her Department’s website relating to (a) goods for which an origin is indicated on their labelling, (b) goods from Golan and (c) other goods in response to the European Commission’s Interpretative Notice on indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, published on 11 November 2015.
George Eustice
The Commission’s Notice recommends that goods imported into the EU which originate from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories should bear an indication which makes that provenance clear. That recommendation is already included in the current technical advice to UK retailers and importers concerning the labelling of agricultural produce from the West Bank which was issued by Defra in 2009. There is therefore no need for changes at this stage.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the security situation in Somalia since the attack on AMISOM forces in January 2016.
Mr Philip Hammond
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has made significant territorial gains in Somalia since 2007, regaining all major cities and much of the territory formerly controlled by Al-Shabaab. The overall improvement in the security situation has created the space for progress towards a permanent political settlement and the recently accepted model for the 2016 electoral process is an important step forward. Recent events however, are a reminder, that although it no longer poses an existential threat to Somalia, Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant terrorist threat in Somalia and the region.
2016 is a critical year for security and political progress in Somalia. It is therefore crucial that the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM work together to renew offensive operations against Al-Shabaab and secure the electoral process. The upcoming High Level Partnership Forum in Istanbul and AMISOM Troop Contributing Country (TCC) Summit in Djibouti, are important opportunities to ensure sustained progress. As announced by the Prime Minister, my right hon. friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) at the UN General Assembly in September, the UK will bolster support to the SNA and AMISOM through a deployment of up to 70 UK troops to the UN Support Office in Somalia. The UK will also continue to provide SNA troop stipends and UK advisory teams.
We therefore stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya, as her longest-standing defence partner, and particularly at this difficult time following the losses at El Adde. We greatly value the contribution made by Kenya and the other TCCs to AMISOM. The Prime Minister has written to President Kenyatta to offer condolences and express appreciation for the sacrifices that Kenyan Defence Forces are making in Somalia.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that equipment is properly tested before purchase or procurement.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Department uses Test and Evaluation to support decision making throughout the acquisition cycle to understand the performance of the equipment that we procure.
Test and Evaluation activities are used to demonstrate that equipment is fit for purpose, safe and compliant with contract requirements. The suitability of these activities is an integral part of our normal acquisition management processes and decision points.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Healey on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the annual budget of the Housing Ombudsman has been in each year since 2009-10.
Brandon Lewis
The Housing Ombudsman, is funded by subscriptions from member landlords, and the majority of members (83%) are private organisations.
The annual budget of the Housing Ombudsman in each year since 2009-10 is as follows:
|
2009-10 |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
2015-16 |
|
|
Budget Expenditure |
£3,333,971 |
£3,537,072 |
£3,910,742 |
£4,425,735 |
£4,886,112 |
£4,913,500 |
£5,085,751 |
|
Actual Expenditure |
£3,198,478 |
3,239,693 |
£3,374,908 |
£4,280,909 |
£4,240,126 |
£4,447,759 |
£4,746,068 |
The Localism Act 2011 extended the jurisdiction / remit of the Housing Ombudsman from 2013 to local authorities as well as housing associations, resulting in increases in the number of cases, dealt with by the Housing Ombudsman.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average cost is of a personal independence payment tribunal hearing.
Mr Shailesh Vara
The First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) is administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service. The Tribunal hears appeals against decisions of the Department for Work and Pensions on a range of benefits including personal independence payment (PIP).
HM Courts & Tribunals Service cannot isolate cost data relating to specific benefit types.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-06-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of bilateral investment treaties between the UK and developing countries on the ability of (a) infant industries and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises in such countries to contribute to poverty reduction.
Sir Desmond Swayne
Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) commit both Governments to provide a reciprocal standard of treatment towards each other’s investors, including: protection and security against discriminatory action, fair and equitable treatment and a commitment not to expropriate without compensation. The content of BITs do not place specific obligations on or provide support to domestic companies, including infant industries and SMEs, aimed at delivering wider policy objectives.
Since 2012, through the Investment and Sustainable Development Programme, DFID has provided technical and legal assistance to 24 developing countries to develop and negotiate international investment agreements (including BITs) that best reflect their own interests.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the proposed budget is for court reporting and transcribing services after the completion of the current tender process.
Sir Oliver Heald
Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued an Invitation to Tender for the future provision of court transcription services. The successful bidders will provide transcription services under a four year framework agreement, the value of which is estimated at between £20m and £28m over the term of the agreement.
We are not in a position to disclose the proposed budget in any greater detail than outlined above for court reporting and transcription services whilst the competition is still running as this may undermine the Authority’s commercial position.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Lewis on 2015-11-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many responses her Department received to the recent consultation on a review of the feed-in tariff scheme.
Andrea Leadsom
We have received nearly 55,000 responses. We currently estimate that just over 2,600 are unique and detailed responses; the rest are briefer and more uniform responses, generated by campaigns. We will assess and evaluate all responses and will respond in due course.