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1122731

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is ensure that members of the public are reassured about the adequacy of the regulatory system for shale gas extraction.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	247025
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK regulatory regime for shale gas is considered among the most robust and stringent in the world.  In October 2018 we established a Shale Environmental Regulator Group (SERG) to act as a single-entry point for the environmental regulation of the shale gas industry and bring the three regulators (Oil and Gas Authority, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive) together to act as one coherent entity.</p><p> </p><p>Local communities have met with the regulators at public information events and community liaison groups. During fracking operations at the Preston New Road site in Lancashire the regulators provided newsletters to residents and published information online on ‘Citizen Space’, including inspection reports and results from environmental monitoring. The regulators are visible and responding to community concerns.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 01/05/2019 16:03:27 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1122729

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what submissions his Department has received from (a) members of the public and (b) civil society groups on concerns over the maintenance of tremor limits in fracking regulations.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	247024
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department routinely receives correspondence from members of the public and civil society groups in relation to the regulatory regime for shale gas extraction, including the traffic light system.</p><p> </p><p>The Traffic Light System for monitoring induced seismicity was introduced after consideration of advice from scientists, following operations at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site in 2011. The level of magnitude 0.5 at which operators must pause operations, was set in consultation with industry as an appropriate precautionary measure. These regulations have been working as intended and there are no plans to review the traffic light system.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 01/05/2019 16:03:21 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1123384

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Post Offices: Closures and Franchises
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of closing Crown post offices and franchising services to WHSmith on the sustainability of the post office network.
	tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
	tabling member printed	Rosie Cooper
	uin	248017
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK. This is why the Government committed to safeguard the post office network and protect existing rural services. The overall number of post offices across the UK remains at its most stable in decades with over 11,500 branches thanks to significant Government investment of over £2 billion since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business and the management of the network is an operational matter for Post Office Limited. A report by Citizen’s Advice in June 2017 stated that franchised branches are performing in line with, or better than Directly Managed branches. As part of its ongoing monitoring role Citizens Advice will continue to track the impact of post office changes on consumers and customer satisfaction of post offices, including with the franchising of Directly Managed branches.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 07/05/2019 16:05:45 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1538 label Biography information for Rosie Cooper

1122747

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what scientific advice has been sought from environmental scientists by the Office for Product Safety and Standards as part of the review of the use of flame retardant chemicals in domestic upholstery.
	tabling member constituency	Wakefield
	tabling member printed	Mary Creagh
	uin	246982
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 to ensure they respond to developments in furniture design, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns while maintaining fire safety protections.</p><p> </p><p>We have also developed scientific and technical expertise within the Office for Safety and Standards and are taking account of the body of relevant scientific research, including engaging with environmental scientists and commissioning research from external sources. We have sought expert and scientific advice from a range of sources, including from leading fire safety experts, Government Chief Scientific Advisors, and British Standards Institution technical standards committees.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 01/05/2019 16:03:12 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 115582 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1579 label Biography information for Mary Creagh

1122744

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish the responses to the September 2016 Consultation on Updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.
	tabling member constituency	Wakefield
	tabling member printed	Mary Creagh
	uin	246981
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2019 answer text <p>We intend to publish the responses received to the Consultation alongside the Government’s response, which will be published in due course.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 01/05/2019 16:03:06 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 115581 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1579 label Biography information for Mary Creagh

1125416

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Parental Leave
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support shared parental leave.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	251985
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>In 2018 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Government Equalities Office funded a £1.5m campaign to raise awareness of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme amongst parents. This was followed by further communications activity, aimed at employers, in 2019. Both campaigns were underpinned by improved tools and guidance for parents which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/shared-parental-leave-and-pay-guidance-and-tools-for-parents.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 13/05/2019 13:27:20 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1126149

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Whirlpool Corporation: Tumble Dryers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what level of evidence on the safety of modified tumble dryers would be required to prompt a full recall of all modified machines.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	253482
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>A recall notice under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 may be issued for a dangerous product where other action that the regulator may require, either of the producer or distributor, is not sufficient to prevent the risks to health and safety. Any enforcement action, including a recall notice should be proportionate to the seriousness of the risk.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is closely monitoring the response of Whirlpool and further steps will be taken if the response is not satisfactory. Consumer safety is a key priority and the Government will hold the company to account.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/05/2019 16:06:55 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1126017

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Flexible Working
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the contribution to the economy of home and flexible working.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	253478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>We carried out an impact assessment in 2014 on the extension of the statutory right to request flexible working, estimating a total benefit (net present value) of £474.9 million. This figure incorporates monetised benefits relating to the extension of the right to request to all employees with 26 weeks continuous service and therefore does not take into account the flexible working among parents and carers that was already taking place prior to the extension.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently reviewing the 2014 extension of the right to request Flexible working to all eligible employees. The review will test the economic assumptions underpinning the cost-benefit analysis in the original impact assessment.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/05/2019 13:38:20 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1126015

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Flexible Working
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support increased (a) home and flexible working and (b) provision of co-working spaces.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	253477
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>Government is actively supporting good quality flexible working, of which home working can be part, and the provision of co-working spaces.</p><p>We have set up, with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Flexible Working Taskforce to promote wider understanding and implementation of inclusive flexible work and working practices. In January this year the Taskforce published a business case, supporting guidance and its members committed to support and promote the “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” campaign.</p><p>We have committed to consult on a new duty on employers to consider when a job can be done flexibly, and make that clear when advertising.</p><p>We have also committed to review the statutory right to request flexible working in 2020 and have commissioned some of the surveys to gather data for that work.</p><p>Through the Local Enterprise Partnership we promote economic growth and jobs in local areas. In order to deliver this objective, some LEPs have supported the creation of co-working spaces alongside advice and other support for business start-ups. This is being done in a number of ways, including through Growth Hubs and innovation centres.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/05/2019 13:38:13 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1126872

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Trading Standards: Unfair Practices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what sanctions Trading Standards is able to apply to companies which are found to be operating in unacceptable ways; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	254724
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>Given the wide variety of legislation which Trading Standards can enforce, I am limiting my answer to consumer law.</p><p> </p><p>Where a company has committed a criminal breach of consumer law under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (2008), Trading Standards can prosecute in the criminal court and the court can impose a fine or imprisonment for a serious offence.</p><p> </p><p>However, there are no equivalent sanctions available to Trading Standards in the civil courts and the Government has therefore committed to introducing court based civil sanctions for breaches of civil law. We are also considering further options to ensure that our system of consumer protection provides a robust response to both local and national threats following the Modernising Consumer Markets Green Paper in 2018.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/05/2019 16:05:50 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson