The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-05-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on Scotland of the UK leaving the EU.
David Mundell
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon Members for North Ayrshire and Arran, Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Ochil and South Perthshire, Motherwell and Wishaw, Angus and East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of the decision to introduce a 30-day deadline to travel once a family reunion visa has been issued; and if she will make a statement.
James Brokenshire
The visas issued to non-EEA nationals who are coming from overseas to stay in the UK for more than six-months are limited to 30 days duration because they are intended to act as a means of enabling the person to travel to the UK and to collect their biometric residence permit (BRP) following their arrival in the country. When a family reunion application is made individuals can specify the date they would like the visa to start to enable them to make any necessary travel arrangements, including obtaining exit visas.
The start date of the visa can be deferred for up to three months from the date of application. If there is any delay expected in the processing time of the application, the individual will be contacted by UKVI and informed about the delay. Where someone is unable to make arrangements to travel to the UK within the 30 day period, they can apply for a replacement visa.
We are aware that a small number of families have experienced difficulties with the visa procedures to enable them to join their family members in the UK, and have sought to address these issues by updating the guidance we issue to Entry Clearance Officers on family reunion applications.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Scott Mann on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Chinese government on the treatment of dogs during that country’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
Alok Sharma
The United Kingdom Government takes seriously all reports of animal cruelty. We are committed to raising standards of animal welfare and to phasing out cruel and inhumane practices both in the UK and overseas. However, there are limits to what the UK can do. Consumption of dog meat is legal in the People’s Republic of China and the UK has no legal grounds to intervene or take trade measures to prevent this.
We have instead focused our efforts on co-operation with China to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. We also work through the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), to promote the welfare of a range of species internationally, such as stray dogs and farmed animals. We encourage China, as a member of OIE, to meet the required standards.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that providers of his Department’s services (a) better understand the demands of the local labour market and (b) reach out to employers to encourage them to consider disabled applicants.
Damian Hinds
The Department has teams of performance managers who work with providers to ensure they keep to their contracted obligations, which include an understanding of the demands of their local labour market and consideration of disabled applicants.
There are specific programmes which support disabled people with entering or retaining work, and through which providers can work with local employers. These include Work Programme, Work Choice, and Specialist Employability Support.
Additionally, Disability Confident was launched in July 2013. Disability Confident supports this Government’s commitment to halve the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people by focusing on the role of employers, who have a crucial role to play in ensuring disabled people are recruited, retained and developed in their careers. When employers sign up as Disability Confident, they are asked to make specific meaningful offers of opportunities for disabled people such as jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and work experience opportunities. So far, over 1900 businesses have signed up to the new Disability Confident scheme, with this number growing daily.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill on 2015-11-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 2 November (HL2703), what duty they have, if any, to enable First Tier Tribunals to deal with asylum and immigration cases fairly and within a reasonable time.
Lord Faulks
The Lord Chancellor has responsibility for ensuring an effective and efficient system of tribunal administration. This duty encompasses the First-tier Tribunal. The Lord Chancellor must also uphold the continued independence of the judiciary and in doing so have regard to their need to have the support necessary to enable them to exercise their functions.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service has allocated additional court time in place between December 2015 and June 2016 to ensure current waiting times do not increase for the tribunal user.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-11-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to paragraph 2.153 of Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, what legal flexibilities the Government plans to give to National Parks.
Rory Stewart
Responding to requests from the national park authorities, on 30 November the Government tabled an amendment to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill to give national park authorities a Function Specific General Power of Competence. The Government believe that this will further enable national park authorities to be a vital part of devolution deals and support growth across our rural economy. The government has committed in addition to protect the funding of the National Parks.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-01-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 December 2015 (HL4575), whether they plan to hold the debate in Parliament on the principle of Continuous at Sea Deterrence and their plans for the Successor submarine before or after the Scottish general election.
Earl Howe
Her Majesty’s Government has confirmed it will hold a debate in Parliament on the principle of Continuous at Sea Deterrence and our plans for Successor. A decision on when it will be held will be taken in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-02-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints from members of the public were received by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) relating to the closure of the HMRC enquiry centre in Cardiff in the last 18 months.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2016 to Question 26801, if he will create a central register of contracts and contract information for the Successor submarine programme.
Mr Philip Dunne
There is no intention to create a central register as described.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stuart Blair Donaldson on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many colleges and universities have had (a) sponsorship licences revoked and (b) faced other restrictions related to allegations of English Language Test fraud; and what steps she plans to take to reconsider those revocations and restrictions.
Mike Penning
This data is published on the following website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-and-permanent-migration-data-february-2016
As this is linked to ongoing litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.