Tag: Stephen Gethins

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in the Maldives.

Mr Hugo Swire

We are concerned by a number of recent steps taken by the Maldivian government which undermine human rights in the country. These include; signs that the death penalty is to be reintroduced, restrictions on the right to protest and the intimidation of civil society, human rights organisations and members of the media. Other concerns include the arbitrary detention of political figures and the decreasing independence of institutions and the judiciary. I raised all of these issues with the Maldives government during my visit to the Maldives on 17 and 18 January. In particular I reiterated the UK’s principled opposition to the death penalty.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-04-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation there has been with the Scottish Government on the implementation of the Polar Code from 1 January 2017.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government has not yet implemented the Polar Code which is due to enter into force next year. However, we will formally consult all stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, before we introduce the UK Regulations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-07-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans the Government has to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

Mr Robin Walker

The Prime Minister has said she will not trigger Article 50 until we have a UK approach and objectives, and Article 50 should therefore not be invoked before the end of this year. The process for leaving the EU and determining our future relationship will be a complex one, so we need to take time to think through our objectives and approach. We want to ensure the best possible outcome for Britain and the future UK-EU relationship.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding she plans to make available to replace payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy.

George Eustice

On 13 August the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the agricultural sector will receive the same level of funding that it would have received under Pillar 1 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) until 2020.

The Government will also guarantee funding for CAP Pillar 2 projects, including agri-environment agreements, signed after the Autumn Statement and which continue after the UK has left the EU, so long as they meet the conditions that they are good value for money and are in line with domestic strategic priorities.

This provides crucial certainty and continuity to our rural communities while we develop a new approach to supporting agriculture and protecting our precious countryside.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to make available research funding at the same level as currently received after the UK leaves the EU.

Joseph Johnson

The Government is committed to maintain and enhance the strength of our research base. This is why we have protected the science resource budget in real terms from its 2015/16 level of £4.7 billion for the rest of the parliament, as well as committing to invest in new scientific infrastructure on a record scale – £6.9 billion over the period 2015-2021.

The Treasury decision to underwrite the grants of competitively bid for EU research funding will give British participants and their EU partners the assurance and certainty needed to plan ahead for projects that can run over many years. We will ensure that the UK continues to be a world leader in international research and innovation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the independence of the legal system in the Maldives.

Mr Hugo Swire

We are concerned about the erosion of judicial independence in the Maldives. A 2013 UN report by the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers raised serious questions about the impartiality of judges, the fact that many interventions by courts were arbitrary and that due process was not being followed. We do not believe that the situation has improved since. I raised the issue of judicial independence when I met key members of the Maldives government, including President Yameen, during my visit to the Maldives on 17 and 18 January.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-04-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to source steel for the construction of new nuclear submarines.

Mr Philip Dunne

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 April 2016 to Question 33828 to the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-07-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the economic benefits of maintaining freedom of movement between the UK and the EU.

Mr David Davis

Our economy is fundamentally strong, and the UK is open to business and investment. We will need to consider all factors carefully in implementing the decision of the British people.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to ensure that UK vessels will continue to be able to land fish in other EU countries after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice

Access to fishing grounds and measures to enable equal access to ports are important and we will consider these issues as we develop future arrangements outside the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to support EU students at UK universities after 2020 if the UK has left the EU.

Joseph Johnson

The Government announced on 11 October 2016 that EU students applying for a place at an English university or further education institution in the 2017/2018 academic year will continue to be eligible for student loans and grants – and will be for the duration of their course.

The decision will mean that students applying to study from 2017 to 2018 will not only be eligible for the same funding and support as they are now, but that their eligibility will continue throughout their course, even if the UK exits the European Union during that period.

The Government statement on student support for EU students can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-support-for-eu-students

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