Tag: Richard Burden

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that adequate clean water is provided in refugee camps near the Syrian border.

Mr Desmond Swayne

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to the crisis in Syria and the region. We have pledged over £1.1 billion, our largest ever response to a single humanitarian crisis. We are the second largest bilateral donor after the US.

In 2015/16 DFID is working with 18 humanitarian partners in countries neighbouring Syria. Our funding has provided access to clean water for over 980,000 people in these countries since the start of the crisis.

In Jordan, DFID provides funding to UNICEF’s water supply work in refugee camps. In Zaatari Camp this involves the construction of boreholes in order to reduce daily running costs of trucking water into the camp. In December, for the first time since it opened, no external water trucking is needed for Zaatari camp. In Azraq Camp DFID contributes to the construction of boreholes, water distribution network and sanitation infrastructure.

The vast majority of Syrian refugees live amongst host communities. The government’s response is therefore focused on refugees within these communities, not solely those in formal and informal camps. As a result, we are also funding Lebanese and Jordanian municipalities for the running of essential public services, including water and sanitation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from the road haulage sector and hauliers on the Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy.

Andrew Jones

The department has regular meetings with the road haulage sector trade bodies and hauliers on a wide variety of issues, including skills, at both Ministerial and official level. These have not focussed specifically on the Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy, which addresses the technical, engineering and construction skills needed to deliver the department’s unprecedented infrastructure investment.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has recently approved the Logistics Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standard and the department will be working with colleagues to support the industry in rolling out this apprenticeship.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-03.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2016 to Question 24171, whether the change in funding for the Illegal Money Lending Team will result in a change in its levels of funding in real terms.

Harriett Baldwin

The Government is finalising funding arrangements for the enforcement of illegal money lending. These arrangements will ensure that the enforcement teams have the funding that they need to protect consumers from illegal loan sharks.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on the detainment of Mohammed al-Qeeq in Israel.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are concerned about Mr Muhammed al Qiq’s case. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received written parliamentary questions from the other place about this case. We have also received a number of letters from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents, as well as letters and e-mails from Non-Governmental Organisations and members of the public.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which Government policies on ensuring the (a) security of UK ports and (b) identification and checking of containers for contraband, trafficked persons or other illegal activity are the responsibility of his Department; and which such policies which are the responsibility of another department his Department has a secondary role in.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for ensuring that proportionate security measures are in place to protect ports, passengers and ships registered in this country. These measures are risk based and are designed to mitigate the threat from terrorism. This work involves close co-operation with other government departments, the Police and the maritime industry.

The Home Office is responsible for the detection of contraband and trafficked persons at UK Ports. DfT works closely with the Home Office and other partner agencies to counter this type of illegal activity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what representations he has received outlining concerns related to his Department’s new anti-lobbying policy.

Matthew Hancock

The few representations received about implementation of the new clause in Government grants have given us the opportunity to explain that the clause does not stop grant recipients from lobbying, but prevents them from spending government grant funded by taxpayers given for a different purpose on lobbying.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department plans to provide to (a) the public and (b) potential investors on the proposed sale of the M6 Toll Road.

Andrew Jones

The Department provides a wide range of information about the UK road network, including traffic counts for all major roads. However it does not plan to provide any information specifically on the proposed sale of the M6 Toll Road.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the most recent cost estimate is for each of the road projects listed in the Government’s announcement, Major roads investment in the Midlands, published on 1 December 2014 that have not yet been completed; and what the final costs were of any of those projects that have been completed.

Andrew Jones

For schemes that are Open for Traffic, the actual out-turn costs have been provided. Schemes that are in development or construction show the latest approved estimate.

Scheme Name	Announced	Estimated Cost (£m)	Source of Estimate
M1 junctions 28 to 31	2010	205.8	Under construction
A453 widening	2011	170.0	Scheme complete
M6 junctions 10a to 13	2011	98.3	Scheme complete
A14 Kettering bypass widening	2011	37.6	Scheme complete
M1 junction 19 improvement	2011	190.7	Under construction
A45-A46 Tollbar End	2011	106.3	Under construction
A38 Derby junctions	2013	180 to 282	In development
M5 junctions 4A to 6	2013	106.4	Under construction
M54 to M6 and M6 toll link road	2013	237 to 344	In development
M6 J5 to J8 smart motorway	2010	110.7	Scheme complete

For the remaining schemes outlined in the 1 December 2014 announcement, the current costs are the cost category as quoted in the RIS Investment Plan, which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/381496/roads-investment-strategy-summary-of-schemes.pdf

There is currently no cost information for the Strategic Studies as they are in the very early stages of investigating options.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his plans are for the trialling of driverless HGV platoons.

Andrew Jones

There are no plans for trialling driverless HGV platoons. The trials under consideration would have drivers in each vehicle, who will be required to stay alert and remain able to control the vehicle. The Department for Transport is expecting to publish an invitation to tender later this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what routine responsibilities are required of Amey by Highways England in its maintenance and response contract for the East Midlands.

Andrew Jones

The Maintenance and Response (M&R) Contractor for Area 7. Amey Highways Ltd, will be required to undertake cyclic and reactive maintenance, incident response, severe weather response and traffic management across the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. This includes :

Cyclic and reactive maintenance:

• Schedule and deliver the annual programme of cyclical work to meet requirements in the most efficient and effective way
• Carry out defect repairs to the requirements for each asset type

Incident Response:

• Attend incident, assess and advise Area 7 Control
• Make safe and clear up, including environmental containment
• Act as lead if other parts of the Highways England supply chain is used
• Carry out associated defect repairs
• Act as the on-road incident support function for Area 7
• Be Principal Contractor if other contractors are used

Severe Weather Response:

• Provide severe weather response for winter, flooding and high winds
• Work with Highways England on weather intelligence to be prepared and proactive
• Provide trained driver / operatives to cover the full winter service
• Maintain vehicles and equipment
• Provide fuel used by fleet and management of salt

Traffic Management (TM):

• Provide TM for all M&R cyclical work
• Provide TM for all reactive work, including incidents
• Provide TM for Highways England activities and Support Services, including inspections and technical survey work
• Provide TM for events when requested