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1002131

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Low Pay Commission: Public Consultation
	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 the Low Pay Commission will publish the response to its consultation on (a) the effect of a higher minimum wage for non-guaranteed hours in a contract and (b) alternative means for tackling one sided flexibility.
	tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
	tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
	uin	188084
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Low Pay Commission’s consultation, on the effect of a higher minimum wage for non-guaranteed hours in a contract and alternative means for tackling one-sided flexibility, launched in March.</p><p> </p><p>The Low Pay Commission will publish their report, containing the findings from this consultation, in due course.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:40:20 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1002132

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Industrial Relations
	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 further promote better employee engagement and workforce relations in response to the Taylor review of modern working practices.
	tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
	tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
	uin	188085
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>In February 2018, the Government consulted on workforce and employee engagement as part of preparing its response to the Taylor review of modern working practices. We are grateful to the stakeholders who have taken time to comment. We are considering those comments and will be publishing our response in due course.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:47:20 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1002150

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Fossil Fuels
	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 recent assessment his Department has made of the viability of removing fossil fuels from the UK's energy generation mix.
	tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
	tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
	uin	188093
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>Our Clean Growth Strategy set out the Government’s ambition for a diverse electricity system that supplies our homes and businesses with secure, affordable and clean power.[1]</p><p>We have already committed to phasing out generating power from coal by 2025[2] and recognise that reducing emissions in the power sector means developing low carbon sources of electricity that are both cheap and clean.</p><p> </p><p>There is a number of decarbonisation pathways that balance the role of clean power sources with the use of fossil fuel generation such as from gas. These include those outlined in our Clean Growth Strategy[3], and the latest BEIS Energy and Emissions Projections.[4]</p><p> </p><p>[1] See: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy</a></p><p>[2] See: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/coal-generation-in-great-britain-the-pathway-to-a-low-carbon-future" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/coal-generation-in-great-britain-the-pathway-to-a-low-carbon-future</a></p><p>[3] See: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy</a></p><p>[4] See: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2017</a></p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 16:59:27 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1002183

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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 information his Department holds on the average amount of parental leave taken by (a) women and (b) men in (i) England, (ii) London and (iii) the London Borough of Lewisham in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	188224
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The most recent official data on average length of family-related leave taken by parents is from the Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey in 2009, which collected data from parents of children born in 2008 across Great Britain.</p><p>This shows that in 2008,</p><ul><li>mothers took an average of 39 weeks of maternity leave, up from 32 weeks in 2006.</li><li>amongst fathers who took some paternity leave, 16% took more than two weeks, 50% took two weeks and 34% took less than two weeks of leave.</li></ul><p>This does not contain information on average weeks of unpaid Parental Leave, nor of Shared Parental Leave which was introduced in 2015.</p><p>Information on the amount of leave taken at the regional or local level is not available.</p><p>The full Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey 2009/10 Research Report can be found here:</p><p>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214367/rrep777.pdf</p><p>We are currently evaluating the Shared Parental Leave and Pay schemes. As a part of this, we are commissioning a new survey which will provide updated information. Subject to the progress of data collection, we anticipate publishing findings in Summer 2019.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/11/2018 16:43:25 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1002540

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2018
	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	Employment: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government response entitled Good work: a response to the Taylor Review of modern working practices, published on 7 February 2018, when the first assessment of the quality of work in the UK is planned to be published.
	tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
	tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
	uin	188755
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Developing better jobs for everyone in the British economy is at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy. We are proud to be the first Government to have taken responsibility for both quality and quantity of work, and are working to promote good work across the UK. We will be setting out our next steps for measuring and improving the quality of work in due course.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 188920 question first answered 19/11/2018 15:41:16 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1002763

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2018
	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	Employment: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government response entitled Good work: a response to the Taylor Review of modern working practices, published on 7 February 2018, what steps he is taking to promote quality work through sector deals.
	tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
	tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
	uin	188920
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Developing better jobs for everyone in the British economy is at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy. We are proud to be the first Government to have taken responsibility for both quality and quantity of work, and are working to promote good work across the UK. We will be setting out our next steps for measuring and improving the quality of work in due course.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 188755 question first answered 19/11/2018 15:41:16 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1003725

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2018
	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	Maternity 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, how many and what proportion new mothers in England have taken their full maternity leave entitlement in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
	tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
	uin	189835
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The most recent official data on average length of family-related leave taken by parents is from the Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey in 2009, which collected data from parents of children born in 2008 across Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>This shows that in 2008, 23% of employed mothers took their full statutory entitlement of 52 weeks of maternity leave or more (e.g. by taking annual leave in addition to Statutory Maternity Leave). According to the Labour Force Survey, in 2008 there were 350,000 employed mothers with a child under one.</p><p> </p><p>The full Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey 2009/10 Research Report can be found here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214367/rrep777.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214367/rrep777.pdf</a> . Information on the length of maternity leave is available in Tables 2.11 and 2.12.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently commissioning a new survey which will provide updated information on family related leave and pay entitlements including Maternity Leave. Subject to the progress of data collection, we anticipate publishing findings in Summer 2019.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:42:32 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1003827

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2018
	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	Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the effect of removing the export tariff on the number of solar installations.
	tabling member constituency	Bridgend
	tabling member printed	Mrs Madeleine Moon
	uin	189613
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>As part of the consultation published in July on our proposal to close the Feed-in Tariff export tariff from 1 April 2019, we included an impact assessment:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/feed-in-tariffs-scheme" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/feed-in-tariffs-scheme</a>.</p><p>We are currently considering the responses to this and will publish a government response in due course. This will include an updated impact assessment.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 20/11/2018 09:29:15 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	1490 label Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon

1005751

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	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	EU Competitiveness Council
	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 issues the UK Government plans to raise at the forthcoming meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council on 29 November 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Don Valley
	tabling member printed	Caroline Flint
	uin	190351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The agenda for the EU Competitiveness Council (internal market and industry day) taking place on 29 November 2018 was agreed on 9 November by EU Ambassadors. The main items will be legislative discussions on platform-to-business relations, the Single Market Programme and the general safety of vehicles and debates on industrial policy and the future of the single market. A Written Ministerial Statement will be made shortly providing further details.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 19/11/2018 15:46:05 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	389 label Biography information for Caroline Flint

1006100

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Carbon Emissions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has plans to introduce legislation proposals to set the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
	tabling member constituency	Richmond Park
	tabling member printed	Zac Goldsmith
	uin	190876
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on the impacts of climate change of 1.5 degrees on 8 October, we commissioned our independent experts, the Committee on Climate Change, to provide their advice on the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction targets, including on setting a net zero target. The letter requesting the CCC’s advice is available <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-climate-targets-request-for-advice-from-the-committee-on-climate-change" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p> </p><p>We will consider the Committee’s evidence-based advice carefully when it is received in Spring 2019. We believe that is the right way to approach such an important question.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 19/11/2018 15:46:48 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

1006122

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Unpaid Work: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to ensure that people who are asked to complete work trials at the outset of employment are classed as workers.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South
	tabling member printed	Stewart Malcolm McDonald
	uin	190917
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Individuals on work trials who are asked to complete work for an employer are likely to be classed as ‘workers’ and are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Work trials may only be unpaid if they are part of a genuine recruitment exercise. An unpaid trial work period lasting a few hours may be reasonable and legal, but an unpaid work trial lasting more than one day is probably excessive and therefore illegal in all but exceptional circumstances. The Government has consulted with employers and trade unions on how to ensure greater clarity and better practice over work trials. We have just finalised new guidance that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190918 190919 question first answered 20/11/2018 08:49:26 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4461 label Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald

1006125

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Unpaid Work: Minimum Wage
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he is taking steps to ensure that the November 2018 Government document Calculating the Minimum Wage includes guidance for people who are asked to complete unpaid work trials at the outset of employment.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South
	tabling member printed	Stewart Malcolm McDonald
	uin	190918
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Individuals on work trials who are asked to complete work for an employer are likely to be classed as ‘workers’ and are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Work trials may only be unpaid if they are part of a genuine recruitment exercise. An unpaid trial work period lasting a few hours may be reasonable and legal, but an unpaid work trial lasting more than one day is probably excessive and therefore illegal in all but exceptional circumstances. The Government has consulted with employers and trade unions on how to ensure greater clarity and better practice over work trials. We have just finalised new guidance that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190917 190919 question first answered 20/11/2018 08:49:27 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4461 label Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald

1006138

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Unpaid Work: Working Hours
	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 his Department's definition is of the word excessive in relation to the number of hours people are asked to complete for unpaid work trials.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South
	tabling member printed	Stewart Malcolm McDonald
	uin	190919
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Individuals on work trials who are asked to complete work for an employer are likely to be classed as ‘workers’ and are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Work trials may only be unpaid if they are part of a genuine recruitment exercise. An unpaid trial work period lasting a few hours may be reasonable and legal, but an unpaid work trial lasting more than one day is probably excessive and therefore illegal in all but exceptional circumstances. The Government has consulted with employers and trade unions on how to ensure greater clarity and better practice over work trials. We have just finalised new guidance that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190917 190918 question first answered 20/11/2018 08:49:27 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4461 label Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald

1006153

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the article on the Guardian website on 8 November 2018 entitled Gig economy workers' rights to be given boost in overhaul, what legislative proposals he plans to bring forward on gig economy workers' rights; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
	tabling member printed	Justin Madders
	uin	190908
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government does not respond to leaks.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190909 question first answered 19/11/2018 15:43:11 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1006154

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the article on the Guardian website on 8 November 2018 entitled Gig economy workers' rights to be given boost in overhaul, if he will place in the Library copies of all documents provided to the media by the Government in relation to this article.
	tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
	tabling member printed	Justin Madders
	uin	190909
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government does not respond to leaks.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190908 question first answered 19/11/2018 15:43:11 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1006209

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Minimum Wage: Young People
	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 the Government has made of the potential effect on youth employment rates of the increase in the minimum wage to £8.21 per hour.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	190818
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The National Living Wage (NLW) is applicable for those aged 25 or older and will increase in April 2019 to £8.21 per hour. This will see a full-time NLW worker’s earnings increase by over £2,750 compared to its introduction</p><p> </p><p>April 2019’s rate increase is following recommendations from the independent and expert Low Pay Commission (LPC). The detailed assessment made by the LPC in reaching this recommended rate will be found in their Autumn 2018 report, which will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Low Pay Commission also provide recommendations on the youth-related National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates. In April 2019, the NMW for 21-24 year olds will rise to £7.70, the 18-20 year olds’ rate will rise to £6.15, the 16-17 year olds’ rate will rise to £4.35 and the Apprentices’ rate will rise to £3.90. The Low Pay Commission is asked to recommend these rates such that they do not damage the employment prospects of younger workers. Indeed, we have seen youth unemployment (16-24 year olds) decrease by 462,000 workers since 2010.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/11/2018 16:42:18 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1006920

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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	Offshore Industry: Carbon Emissions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November to Question 186939 on British Petroleum: Offshore Industry, whether the Oil and Gas Authority (a) must or (b) may take into account the effect of oil and gas developments on the UK’s carbon emissions and commitments as a signatory to the Paris Agreement when making such decisions.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	191274
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The remit of the Oil and Gas Authority is to Maximise the Economic Recovery of Petroleum from the UKCS (MER UK). The Energy Act 2016 sets out matters to which the OGA must have regard whilst exercising its functions.</p><p> </p><p><em><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/8/enacted" target="_blank">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/8/enacted</a></em></p><p><em> </em></p><p>Greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the UK’s economy are taken into account when assessing our performance against the carbon budgets and the UK remains committed to the Paris Agreement.</p><p> </p><p>As part of this, we have requested that they provide evidence on how reductions in line with the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations might be delivered in key sectors of the economy and we will consider their advice carefully when it is received.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 17:03:15 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

1006929

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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	Natural Gas: Carbon Monoxide
	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 targets are planned as part of the RIIO-2 process to ensure gas distribution networks (a) raise awareness of and (b) take steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	191293
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>This is a matter for Ofgem. I have asked Ofgem to write directly to the Honourable Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 17:22:23 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1006970

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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	Cosmetics: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the UK plans to maintain current restrictions on the marketing of imported cosmetics that rely on animal testing safety data in future bilateral trade agreements.
	tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
	tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
	uin	191449
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to reduce current restrictions on the marketing of imported cosmetics that rely on animal testing safety data. We are committed to maintaining our existing high levels of product safety and consumer protection.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/11/2018 16:53:31 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1006985

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Earthquakes
	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 recent discussions he has had with the Oil and Gas Authority on changes to its traffic light system for responding to seismic events at shale gas sites.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	191376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The Chief Executive of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) wrote to me on 2 November and provided reassurance that the regulatory regime is performing well and that the OGA have not seen anything from the seismic events to date which suggests otherwise.</p><p>There are no plans to review the traffic light system.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 17:18:53 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1006986

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Lancashire
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish any reports provided by Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd to the Oil and Gas Authority on the four seismic events of greater than the red light 0.5ML threshold that occurred at the Preston New Road shale gas site between 26 October 2018 and 4 November 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	191377
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) monitors seismicity as part of their regulatory duties at shale gas sites. They review all information submitted to them by Cuadrilla and have assured the Government that events at Preston New Road are conforming to the pre-agreed Hydraulic Fracture Plan.</p><p>Information about the seismic events is displayed real-time on the British Geological Survey (BGS) site and Cuadrilla regularly update information on traffic light events on their web-site.</p><p>Within 30 days of completion of operations the operator must submit a Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Report to the OGA. The OGA will publish these reports six months after receipt.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 03/12/2018 10:38:02 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1006987

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Lancashire
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish any reports received by his Department from the (a) Oil and Gas Authority, (b) Environment Agency and (c) Health and Safety Executive on the four seismic events of greater than the red light 0.5ML threshold that occurred at the Preston New Road shale gas site between 26 October 2018 and 4 November 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	191378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>If a seismic event of 0.5ML, or greater, on the ‘Richter Local Scale’ is detected and causally linked to the operations, hydraulic fracturing is suspended for a minimum of 18 hours. An event report must be submitted to and independently reviewed by each of the regulatory bodies who will only allow operations to recommence once they have fully assessed the information and are satisfied the event conforms to the pre-agreed Hydraulic Fracture Plan.</p><p> </p><p>Within 30 days of completion of all hydraulic fracturing operations at a well, a Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Report must be submitted to the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) by the operator. The OGA will publish these reports six months after receipt.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 17:14:23 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1006988

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Earthquakes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to introduce a requirement for independent well integrity tests at shale gas sites in the event of seismic events of greater than the red light 0.5 ML threshold occurring at such sites.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	191379
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The Traffic Light System dictates that if an event of 0.5M<sub>L</sub> or above is detected and causally linked to operations, the operator must pause operations for 18 hours and reduce well pressure. Operations are only allowed to resume once regulators are satisfied that any risks have been appropriately mitigated and this includes consideration of well integrity by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).</p><p> </p><p>The HSE robustly and independently regulates health and safety across Great Britain. The HSE has a proven track record of taking enforcement action where breaches of relevant legislation have occurred and, as an effective and proportionate regulator, will continue to do so when appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>Under our existing legislation, the HSE requires operators of oil and gas wells to maintain well integrity throughout the lifecycle of the well, from design and construction to final decommissioning. The HSE routinely inspects the well integrity risk management systems of oil and gas well operators, and verifies these inspections by scrutinising statutory wells operation reports sent weekly to the HSE by the operator.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 17:15:56 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1006992

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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	Employment: Electronic Tagging
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to ban the microchipping of employees by employers.
	tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
	tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
	uin	191454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>If an employer required or encouraged implantation of microchips among its employees, it would raise several legal issues. While I am not aware of any cases being brought to test the legal position, it seems unlikely that such an invasive approach to security or monitoring would be found to be justifiable. So, it is likely to be difficult for an employer to show that such a practice would be consistent with the requirements of data protection legislation, health and safety requirements, and other legal obligations to employees.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 26/11/2018 17:19:14 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1007003

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Lancashire
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many earthquakes have been recorded at the Preston New Road site since Cuadrilla started fracking at that location.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Heeley
	tabling member printed	Louise Haigh
	uin	191456
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The British Geological Survey (BGS) is recording seismicity in the Fylde and as of 15 November it has reported 36 minor seismic events since operations began, all but four of these were below the 0.5 magnitude threshold which requires Cuadrilla to pause operations for a minimum of 18 hours.</p><p> </p><p>The BGS has a greater quantity of specialist equipment in the Fylde than anywhere else in the UK which is why a high proportion of minor seismic events are being published on their site which are not reported elsewhere in the country.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 21/11/2018 17:16:36 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	4473 label Biography information for Louise Haigh