Tag: Richard Burden

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-09-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK is currently using armed Reaper drones outside of Iraq and Syria; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Penning

The UK’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – Reaper, currently operates in the Middle East in support of the Iraqi Government and Coalition allies’ on-going operations to combat the threat of Daesh. I am unable to provide further information on the deployment of Reaper as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield of 16 August 2016, inviting him or a Minister in his Department to address the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Group on UK automotive priorities for future negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

Mr Robin Walker

A reply to the Hon. member for Birmingham, Northfield’s invitation has been sent and I can confirm I will be attending the event.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what framework of work Highways England is negotiating with the CH2M Hill/Mace/PwC consortium.

Andrew Jones

The government is tripling the capital investment in the Strategic Road Network. Highways England have been given responsibility for delivery of the Road Investment Strategy and operation of the network.

A four year term contract was tendered competitively by Highways England to a consortium consisting of CH2M Hill, Mace and PwC (CMP) in early July 2015 to help provide additional support to improve their capability and available resources to deliver an increasingly demanding and complex programme.

This has no impact on the role, responsibilities and requirements of Highways England.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of Innovate UK’s contribution to the development of technologies in (a) aviation, (b) road transport and (c) ports and shipping.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Department for Transport (DfT) works collaboratively with Innovate UK through a range of mechanisms to support technological development and innovation in all modes of transport. DfT and Innovate UK work together to support wider government objectives to develop the nation’s science and research capability to support UK economic growth. However, the Department has not made any separate assessment of Innovate UK’s contribution to the development of technologies in the transport sector. Innovate UK undertakes well established economic evaluations on the effectiveness and impact of its activities and are reported to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, as Innovate UK’s departmental sponsor.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total number of passengers travelling independently through flight-only sales or independent bookings that have been affected by recent restrictions on UK-bound flights from Sharm el-Sheikh airport; and what steps the Government has taken to support those passengers.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Department for Transport has been in constant contact with tour companies and airlines operating in Sharm-el-Sheikh. All have been working in collaboration to ensure that information on flights to the UK has been provided to UK nationals on a timely basis, supported by travel advice issued through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who have also been providing consular assistance on the ground. Since flights restarted on Friday 6 November 2015, over 16,000 passengers have returned to the UK. This includes those that travelled independently, for example on a flight only basis. Flights on 17 November saw the return of all UK nationals that wished to do so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of continuing evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem on prospects for a two-state solution in that region.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are concerned about recent evictions of Palestinians from Silwan, and the threat of eviction of Palestinian families, from the Old City in Jerusalem. We view any attempts to change the facts on the ground as a serious provocation likely to raise tensions on the ground and cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, as well as being harmful to the peace process and, of course, in contravention of international law. The UK’s remains committed to the achievement of a two-state solution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-12-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the process is for return of passenger baggage surrendered by passengers in Sharm el-Sheikh; how long he expects it to take for all such baggage to be returned; and under what conditions the transport of the baggage was agreed.

Mr Robert Goodwill

At the same time as passengers were brought home from Sharm el-Sheikh by UK airlines, their baggage was flown back to the UK by cargo aircraft, after having been subjected to security screening. The UK airlines then arranged for return of baggage to their passengers. Most bags were returned within a few days, and all within one week of the relevant flights.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations the Government has received from the aviation and aerospace industries on supporting investment in development of cleaner jet fuels.

Andrew Jones

Ministers and officials regularly discuss policy options with Her Majesty’s Treasury and colleagues in other government departments.

I refer the honourable Member to my answer to the honourable Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mark Tami), on 2 November 2015 on the subject of sustainable aviation fuels and representations received as part of the work of the Transport Energy Task Force http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-10-23/13225/. I have also met with representatives from industry to discuss the potential of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which (a) ministers attended and (b) departments are represented on the Government’s working group on drones; when that group was formed; and what its schedule of meetings is.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Cross Government Working Group on Drones is a group of officials tasked with developing policy on drones. Ministers do not attend. Participation is from the following Departments and agencies:

Department for Transport

Home Office

Ministry of Defence

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Cabinet Office

Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs

Business Innovation and Skills

Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure

Civil Aviation Authority

Information Commissioner’s Office

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Department for Communities and Local Government

The group was formed in March 2013 and it meets quarterly. The schedule of meetings for 2016 is February; May; September and December.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to report on the findings of his Department’s consultation on changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Mr Marcus Jones

A consultation and draft regulations proposing amendments to the scheme’s investment framework were published on 25 November 2015. The closing date for responses is 19 February. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published in the normal way.