The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many schools in England and Wales were closed for the local and European elections on 22 May 2014.
Greg Clark
The Information requested is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many British heavy good vehicles (HGV) are not expected to be fully compensated by the reduction in vehicle excise duty introduced as part of the HGV User Levy; and whether this has changed since estimates were made in 2012.
Mr Robert Goodwill
We estimate that 94% of UK HGVs paying the levy will pay no more than they did before its introduction, taking into account the reductions in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) that happened at the same time. This figure is the same as was published in the consultation document in January 2012, and discussed during the HGV Road User Levy Act’s passage through Parliament.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-04-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take in response to the withdrawal of the Israeli government from US-sponsored peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
Hugh Robertson
We remain fully committed to supporting efforts for peace and I will visit the region to that end in the near future. We urge the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to use the coming weeks to find the common ground and political strength needed to resume the peace negotiations and encourage other countries to maintain support for that objective.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many hours per week were spent in cells by prisoners by (a) per week day and (b) per weekend day by security category of prisoner, in each of the last three years.
Jeremy Wright
The information requested is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 238W, on driving: licensing, what proportion of new drivers obtaining driving convictions were offered speed awareness courses in each year since 2010.
Damian Green
I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 27th March 2014, Official Report,
column 372W.
The number of drivers who opted for a speed awareness course rather than
accept penalty points on their driving licence in 2010 is 447,724, 2011 is
772,430, 2012 is 926,101 and 2013 is 953,428. The offer of a speed awareness
course is at the discretion of the police. To be deemed eligible there must be
no excessive speed or other offences committed at the same time. Information on
previous motoring convictions is not taken into account.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-04-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the demolition on 2 and 3 April of EU-funded projects in Area C near the E1-settlement bloc; and whether he has demanded compensation following these actions.
Hugh Robertson
We have not made representations in response to the specific demolition cited, nor demanded compensation. However, Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised the issue of demolitions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu on 1 May. We regularly make clear, publicly and privately, to Israel our serious concerns about the demolition of Palestinian homes and infrastructure and forced transfer of population in Area C and East Jerusalem.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-06-12.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 8 May 2014, Official Report, column 298W, on Highways Agency, what the (a) criteria and (b) procedures are for considering the extension of the provisions of section 41(3) of the VAT Act 1994 to a new body.
Mr David Gauke
Section 41(3) of the VAT Act 1994 applies to Government departments and health authorities. It is governed by a Treasury Direction. Any extension of the provisions is a matter for Treasury Ministers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many new drivers had their licences revoked as a result of insurance offences in each year since 2010.
Stephen Hammond
The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 requires that drivers who accumulate six or more penalty points during their probationary period will have their licences revoked. The accumulation of offences can be for any reason. The table shows the number of drivers whose licences were revoked under the New Drivers Act who committed at least one insurance offence:
| Year | Number of licences revoked |
| 2010 | 4,372 |
| 2011 | 5,921 |
| 2012 | 5,897 |
| 2013 | 5,606 |
| 2014 (up to 29 March) | 1,118 |
| Total | 22,914 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-04-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department gives alongside UK non-governmental organisations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to assist in obtaining compensation from the Israeli authorities for projects demolished in Area C.
Hugh Robertson
We have not provided support to non-governmental organisations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) to assist in obtaining compensation from the Israeli authorities for projects demolished in Area C. However, we continue to support Palestinians facing demolition or eviction orders in the OPTs through support to the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme, which helps individuals to challenge these in the Israeli legal system.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what definition is used by HM Passport Office of a straightforward application for passports for the purpose of setting internal targets; and if this definition has been amended since 2010.
James Brokenshire
A straightforward application is one where all the required information,
including supporting documentation, is provided, the application is signed and
no further enquiries are required in order to progress the application.