The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to prepare for the outcome of the EU referendum.
Anna Soubry
The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in the United Kingdom – so we get a better deal for our country and secure our future. We are confident that the right agreement can be reached.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-03-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what further investment he plans to provide for the hardened aircraft shelters used by the Quick Reaction Alert at the former RAF base at Leuchars.
Mark Lancaster
The Ministry of Defence is planning to undertake £100,000 of safety compliance related work over the next 12 months, on top of the regular levels of service and maintenance for the hardened aircraft shelters.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.
Mr Nick Hurd
We are deeply concerned by the deterioration in the security situation in South Sudan. This will make it even harder for aid to reach the millions of South Sudanese displaced from their homes and the almost 5 million, nearly half the population, at risk of severe food insecurity. The UK is taking a lead role. We have contributed £242million to the humanitarian crisis since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013, along with an additional £93million to support South Sudanese refugees in the region. But ultimately the South Sudanese leaders must take responsibility for respecting the ceasefires and protecting their people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-09-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish details of the £8 million investment at the RAF base in Leuchars.
Mark Lancaster
On 5 March 2013 (Official Report, column 845) my right hon. Friend the then Defence Secretary, (Philip Hammond), set out the Department’s Army Basing Plans. As part of this larger package of investment the plan contains a commitment to invest around £8million in the infrastructure and facilities at Leuchars. The investment is being spent on improvements to existing facilities including the upgrade of buildings, existing single living accommodation and sports facilities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to require EU nationals to gain visas before entering the UK in the event of the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The UK continues to be a member of the European Union and therefore EU nationals do not require a visa to come to the UK, nor do British citizens require a visa to visit the rest of the EU.
The Prime Minister has underlined that it would not be right for the Government to give a running commentary on negotiations. It is about developing our own British model so we will not make decisions until we are ready.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-06.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to prepare for the outcome of the EU referendum.
Mr David Gauke
The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain – so we get a better deal for Britain and secure our future. The Government is focused on delivering a successful renegotiation: it believes it can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-03-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the levels of toxic heavy metals, cadmium and mercury, in the sea on the brains and organs of pilot whales in 2012.
George Eustice
Scientists working for Defra have not made any assessment of the levels of cadmium and mercury in the brains and organs of pilot whales in 2012.
However, I am aware that the University of Aberdeen carried out assessments of this kind on pilot whales stranded on Scottish beaches in the same year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent violence in Juba on the security situation in South Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We are deeply concerned by the deterioration in the security situation in South Sudan. We condemn the fighting in Juba between government and opposition forces. These actions are entirely unacceptable. It is now vitally important that President Kiir and First Vice President Machar ensure their troops respect the recent ceasefire statements and avoid any further acts of violence. The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge) made statements on 9, 11 and 14 July calling for an immediate end to all violence and protection for all South Sudanese civilians.
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, if she will make it her policy to maintain the level of UK and EU funding for the fishing industry and communities as part of the UK’s negotiations on leaving the EU.
George Eustice
The Chancellor has set out that the guarantee for European Structural and Investment Fund projects announced in August will be extended to the point at which the UK departs the EU. This guarantee includes the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and provides further certainty to those fishers, seafood businesses and other organisations seeking support. Where projects secure EMFF funding before we exit, payments will be guaranteed even after the UK has left the EU.
Defra officials will be working with the Department for Exiting the EU to look at future policies for fisheries. We will continue to work closely with relevant industry and other key stakeholders to develop these new arrangements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to maintain the Assisted Voluntary Returns schemes after 2020.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Assisted Voluntary Returns Service was integrated into the Home Office Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) on 1st January 2016 and provides a range of help and support to those who are here illegally and are seeking to leave the UK voluntarily. The Home Office envisages that the VRS will continue beyond 2020.