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1122871

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Birmingham Prison
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Written Statement of 2 April 2019, Official Report HCWS1475 on HMP Birmingham, if he will list the new approaches that have been delivered by the private sector referred to in that Statement.
	tabling member constituency	Leeds East
	tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
	uin	247133
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Privately-managed prisons have pioneered the use of modern technology to improve the running of establishments and help promote rehabilitation. This includes the development of in-cell telephony to help prisoners maintain ties with their families; interactive story-time activities between prisoners and their children; and the introduction of electronic kiosks, which allow prisoners to have greater control of managing their day-to-day lives. The use of body-worn video cameras was introduced by private prisons. Private prisons also have excellent facilities as standard, such as showers in cells, which it is not possible to provide in our older prisons.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 21/05/2019 14:58:51 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1126023

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Wrexham
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average wait is for mandatory reconsideration of (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support allowance claims in each of the last three years in Wrexham constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Wrexham
	tabling member printed	Ian C. Lucas
	uin	253531
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The requested information can be found below:</p><p>A) Personal Independence Payment (PIP)</p><p>Statistics on Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) clearance times for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims by parliamentary constituency are planned to be published on 11th June 2019 in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The figures requested will be included within the PIP Official Statistics publication.</p><p>It should be noted that the Department’s decision makers are, in relation to PIP, now proactively engaging with claimants at the MR stage to ensure that they have all material evidence before they make their decision. Early indications are that this is helping decision makers.</p><p>B) Employment Support Allowance (ESA)</p><p>The available information on the average waiting time for MRs of ESA work capability assessments is published and can be found in table 16 here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-march-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-march-2019</a></p><p>It is the intention to produce further geographical breakdowns of these statistics in the future.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 21/05/2019 14:41:04 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

1126040

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Department for Transport: Former Ministers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has paid to hon. Members under section 4 of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 since 13 July 2016.
	tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
	tabling member printed	Justin Madders
	uin	253610
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Section 4 of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 sets out Ministers’ entitlement to severance payments. Any such payments are published in the Department’s audited annual accounts, and these accounts can be found on gov.uk.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 21/05/2019 14:22:05 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1126114

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	National Probation Service: Labour Turnover
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff have left the National Probation Service in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	uin	253684
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The number of staff who have left the National Probation Service in each of the last 5 years can be found in the published workforce statistics (Table 6B) covering the period to March 2019 is available in the public domain at</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hm-prison-and-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-march-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hm-prison-and-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-march-2019</a></p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 21/05/2019 14:00:21 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1126115

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	National Probation Service: Stress
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff that left the National Probation Service cited work stress as a contributing factor in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	uin	253685
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Information is not available on the number of staff that have left the National Probation Service citing work stress as a contributing factor as there is no classification on the system to record work stress.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 21/05/2019 14:56:27 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1126116

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	National Probation Service: Labour Turnover
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff have left the National Probation Service within two years of qualifying in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	uin	253686
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Information is not available on the number of staff who have left the National Probation Service within two years of qualifying in each of the last five years.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 21/05/2019 14:54:18 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1126119

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment and Support Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment and support allowance joint claimant cases there are where both claimants have an underlying entitlement to severe disability premium.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol South
	tabling member printed	Karin Smyth
	uin	253642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>A person would have to satisfy the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) qualifying conditions to be entitled to it.</p><p> </p><p>There are no ‘joint claims’ in income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA(IR)). Where a couple wishes to claim ESA(IR), they will need to decide which of them will be the ‘lead’ claimant, and claim on their partner’s behalf.</p><p /><p>Only the lead claimant has entitlement to a SDP. In couple cases, the SDP is not payable if the lead claimant does not meet the qualifying conditions, even if their partner does.</p><p> </p><p>The SDP is payable at the single rate where only the lead claimant meets the qualifying conditions. The couple rate is payable where both members of the couple meet the qualifying conditions – but only the lead claimant is entitled to it.</p><p /><p>In November 2018 there were 9,500 live couple cases of ESA(IR) where the lead claimant was in receipt of a SDP at the couple rate.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 21/05/2019 14:23:48 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4444 label Biography information for Karin Smyth

1126124

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in his Department who were transferred or seconded to work (a) in other departments or (b) on other departmental briefs on preparations for the UK to leave the EU, have since returned to his Department.
	tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
	tabling member printed	Tom Brake
	uin	253454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>EU departure is an all-of-Government operation. The Department for Exiting the European Union is responsible for overseeing negotiations to leave the EU and establishing the future relationship between the UK and EU. The Department for International Trade works to secure UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade.<strong><br></strong></p><p>Departments continually review workforce plans and reprioritise and assess changing needs, which includes identification and cessation of non-priority work where appropriate. We have accelerated our plans, and at the same time, the Civil Service as a whole is working to ensure that exit implementation is carried out to a high standard without impacting public service delivery across the whole of Government.</p><p>For Defra, information relating to all staff who have been transferred or loaned to another department since June 2016 is provided below. We are not able to confirm how many of these were related to exit roles as this information is not held.</p><p>We have interpreted the second part of the question relating to ‘other departmental briefs’ as those working on projects with or in other departments through any informal arrangement that is not a formal loan or secondment. Based on this interpretation, Defra does not hold this data and is unable to provide this information.</p><p>The information is from June 2016 – present.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Total number of staff transferred to another Government department (OGD) between June 16 – March 19</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>445</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Number of staff transferred to an OGD who have since returned to Defra</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>0</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total number of staff loaned to an OGD between June 19 – March 19</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>118*</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Number of staff loaned to an OGD who have since returned to Defra</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*This figure includes 30 loans where the end dates are between May 2019 and January 2022, and therefore we would not expect staff to have returned to Defra. All loans are generally for a period of two years.</p><p> </p><p>We do not use the term ‘secondment’ to refer to Civil Servants moving between departments, instead we use the term ‘loan’. Therefore we have interpreted this question to refer to those who have moved to other departments on loans.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:09:10 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126130

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Department for Transport: Brexit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff in his Department who were transferred or seconded to work (a) in other departments or (b) on other departmental briefs on preparations for the UK to leave the EU, have since returned to his Department.
	tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
	tabling member printed	Tom Brake
	uin	253459
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department has not historically collected information about the nature of work of members of staff on loan, transfer or secondment.</p><p>Of the information that is available, as at 30th April 2019, there were 5 or fewer staff from the Department for Transport on active loan to the Department for Exiting the European Union who have since returned. However, the Department is unable to confirm the exact nature of work carried out.</p><p>Due to the small number of instances, the exact figure is being withheld, as releasing this could lead to identification of individuals.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To prepare for the UK to leave the EU, the Department has reviewed and reprioritised workforce plans. This includes identification and cessation of non-priority work where appropriate. These plans have remained flexible to respond to the resourcing needs for the Department as this has changed over time.</p><p>The Department is not able to provide a figure on how many people within DfT have changed role, or the nature of how their work has changed, as a result of the Department’s preparations to leave the EU because this is not recorded in any HR systems.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 21/05/2019 14:05:23 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126185

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Israel: Palestinians
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's definition is of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine; and what steps the Government plans to take to help achieve that solution.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Sussex
	tabling member printed	Sir Nicholas Soames
	uin	253449
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. We consistently call for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, including terrorism, anti-Semitic incitement, settlement expansion, and the demolition of Palestinian property in the West Bank. Steps to transform the situation in Gaza are also needed. At this highly sensitive time in the region, there is an urgent need to restart the peace process between Israel and Palestine. We regularly press both parties to resume direct negotiations towards a two-state solution.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:42:21 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	116 label Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching

1126187

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Palestinians: Humanitarian Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Sussex
	tabling member printed	Sir Nicholas Soames
	uin	253450
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>We continually monitor the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are concerned by the high levels of poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, as well as the fragile health system, shrinking Gazan economy and the lack of access to consistent supplies of electricity.</p><p> </p><p>DFID recently announced an aid package of £2 million to the International Committee for the Red Cross to support delivery of medicines, equipment and rehabilitation services. The UK’s new economic development programme aims to help the economy in Gaza and the West Bank by increasing trade and creating jobs. The UK has also made a commitment to UNRWA of up to £80m over the next two years to help provide health services and education to Palestinian refugees living across the Middle East. The UK is committed to alleviating the humanitarian situation in the OPTs and continues to urge the parties to prioritise progress towards reaching a durable solution.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:40:57 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	116 label Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching

1126193

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Criminal Proceedings: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the wellbeing of victims of sexual assault of undergoing cross-examination during the court process.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	253586
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>In the Government’s first ever cross-government Victim’s Strategy, we committed to make the court environment more victim friendly and to improve access to special measures.</p><p>Victims may be provided with a wide range of special measures to help them give their best evidence in court. The measures available include the power for a court to order arrangements for live video links, video recorded evidence in chief, and screens around the witness box, and from this summer an additional special measure - pre-recorded cross-examination - will be will be available for witnesses who are adult complainants in sexual offences, in three courts - Liverpool, Leeds and Kingston upon Thames. This marks delivery of another commitment in the Victims Strategy published in September 2018.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 21/05/2019 14:53:25 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1126208

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Israel: Bedouin
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterparts on the future of the village Khan al-Ahmar; and what steps he plans to take to prevent further threats to villages in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
	tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and West Fife
	tabling member printed	Douglas Chapman
	uin	253601
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>We regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities at senior levels, including with the Israeli Prime Minister and Israeli Attorney General, urging them not to go ahead with the proposed demolition of Khan al-Ahmar. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv discussed this issue with the Israeli National Security Council on 7 March and the Israeli Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories on 3 January. Officials from our Consulate General in Jerusalem continue to visit the Khan al-Ahmar community regularly, most recently on 28 March. The UK repeatedly calls on Israel to abandon demolition plans entirely, and instead provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:40:26 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4402 label Biography information for Douglas Chapman

1126245

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Financial Conduct Authority: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of (a) email or web form or webchat and (b) letter correspondence from (i) firms and (ii) consumers the Financial Conduct Authority provides a substantive response to within two working days of receipt; and how many such substantive responses in total there were in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Delyn
	tabling member printed	David Hanson
	uin	253514
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government. The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the right honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 21/05/2019 14:45:08 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	533 label Biography information for David Hanson

1126275

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Radiation Exposure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the EU Directive 96/29/Euratom on safety standards relating to ionizing radiation, whether all persons potentially exposed to ionizing radiation are receiving independent examination for genetic damage as defined by the number of aberrant cells shown by translocation within chromosomes.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	253502
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>A classified radiation worker is a person who works with ionising radiation and who could be exposed to higher levels of ionising radiation during normal work and also under certain accident conditions. Before a person can be designated as a classified radiation worker they must be certified as fit to work with ionising radiation by an independent Appointed Doctor. The classified person must then undergo an annual medical review. Neither the pre-classification medical examination nor the annual medical review includes specific checks for genetic damage.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 21/05/2019 14:50:14 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1126487

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	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	Renewable Energy: Cooperatives
	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 steps his Department has taken to support communities to set up renewable energy co-operatives.
	tabling member constituency	Croydon North
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Reed
	uin	254193
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>I continue to believe that Community Energy remains an important part of the energy system, delivering energy efficiency and demand management, supporting switching and engaging the wider community on the key challenges of the energy transition and wider climate change as well as owning generation assets.</p><p> </p><p>Renewable Energy co-operatives are one of the business models that we support and was a key part of the criteria in a number of community initiatives and support mechanisms the department funded in the past. This will also be the case for the Rural Community Energy fund which will reopen at the end of this month and provide grants to community groups for feasibility studies and development of business cases for local energy projects.</p><p> </p><p>We also work closely with community networks like Community Energy England who manage the community energy hub which shares best practice, case studies and as part of that provides advice and support for the creation of community energy co-operatives.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 21/05/2019 14:57:44 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4268 label Biography information for Steve Reed

1126504

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to (a) ensure local authorities have a duty to provide access to a fully trained Animal Welfare Inspector with responsibility for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and (b) provide additional funding for that role; what estimate he has made of the number of local authorities that do not employ an Animal Welfare Inspector; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	254174
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, local authorities, the Animal &amp; Plant Health Agency and the police all have powers of entry to inspect complaints of suspected animal cruelty and take out prosecutions where necessary. Local authorities must be able to make decisions based on local needs and resource priorities and the arrangements that work best for them. It is for local authorities to determine how to prioritise their resources. We do not hold data centrally on the number of inspectors appointed under the Act.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities will often work in close partnership with others, such as the RSPCA, to ensure that the welfare of animals is protected. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 allows anyone to be able to investigate allegations of animal neglect and if necessary take forward a prosecution and it is on this basis that the RSPCA have been enforcing animal welfare legislation in this country. Although they have no specific powers under the 2006 Act, the RSPCA do investigate allegations of cruelty and successfully prosecute 800 to 1,000 people each year.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:57:36 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1126515

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Yemen: Economic Situation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the amount of economic activity lost to Yemen as a result of aerial bombing in that country since the Stockholm peace agreements were signed in December 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254122
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The IMF estimates that Yemen’s economy has contracted by around 50% since the conflict began in 2015, with GDP per capita down from $1,570 in 2014 to $873 in 2018.</p><p> </p><p>Both the formal and informal economies have collapsed as a result of conflict lines preventing the movements of goods and people, infrastructure damage including to factories and roads, lack of electricity and clean water and a population beset by lack of food and disease.</p><p> </p><p>We are not aware of any data this year on the loss of economic activity as a result of aerial bombing.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:41:44 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126516

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Yemen: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department has taken to help reduce the price of (a) food and (b) sanitary goods imported into Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254123
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK continues to encourage the Government of Yemen to reduce the risk of inflation by not printing new money and has worked with the Central Bank of Yemen to release over $500 million of hard currency, provided by Saudi Arabia, to support importers bringing in food staples. Although the Riyal has since stabilised, the price of food and other basic goods remains high.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to work with the Government of Yemen and international partners to consider how we can continue to have a good level of imports of food, fuel and medicine into Yemen which helps to alleviate pressure on prices.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:42:27 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126519

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Yemen: Overseas Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding his Department has allocated to support the reconstruction of infrastructure in Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254124
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK is working with the Government of Yemen, Gulf partners, the UN, international financial institutions, and other donors on planning for Yemen’s post-conflict recovery. This includes emphasising the importance of providing security, stabilising the economy, and delivering basic services. We will continue to work closely with all parties to support Yemen’s recovery following any political settlement.</p><p> </p><p>We are also continuing our work to protect key institutions that will be critical to Yemen’s future development. Between 2010 and 2018, for example, DFID contributed £108 million to the Yemen Social Fund for Development, providing hundreds of thousands of Yemenis with work opportunities restoring roads, health clinics, and agricultural land, as well as providing training, infrastructure improvements, and clean water to thousands more.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:43:35 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126520

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Yemen: Peace Negotiations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of Official Development Assistance for Yemen has been allocated to (a) peacebuilding and (b) conflict management in (i) 2016, (ii) 2017, (iii) 2018 and (iv) 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254125
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK is leading efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Yemen and fully supports the work of UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths towards achieving a negotiated and durable peace settlement.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to support conflict management and peacebuilding in Yemen. Through the UK’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, we provided £1.04 million towards conflict management and peacebuilding in 2016, £1.04 million in 2017, £2.95 million in 2018, and have a proposed budget of £2.83 million for 2019.</p><p> </p><p>DFID is also funding activities focussed on strengthening local peacebuilding and improving the role of women in peacebuilding in Yemen. We provided £258,000 last financial year (2018/19) and have a proposed budget of £3.26 million for 2019/20.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:44:31 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126521

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Humanitarian Aid: Travel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what diplomatic steps his Department has taken with his international counterparts to establish safe travel routes for international humanitarian organisations.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254126
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>We are acutely aware of the difficult operating environments humanitarian organisations often face delivering life-saving assistance.</p><p> </p><p>Currently in Yemen this is a subject of constant negotiation for the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator, who works tirelessly with both parties and humanitarian actors to ensure those most in need are being reached.</p><p> </p><p>Through UK diplomatic channels we continue to press authorities to facilitate aid delivery. This can include issuing visas to humanitarian staff or permission for NGOs and UN agencies to travel to reach people in more difficult or remote areas. We also continue to call on both parties to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2451 by facilitating safe, rapid, and unhindered access for both the humanitarian response and commercial supplies.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:53:04 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126522

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Yemen: Violence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish information held by is Department on the incidents of violence in each region of Yemen in each year since 2016.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254127
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>We do not have access to reliable data on incidences of violence at sub-national level. We do follow closely the situation in Yemen and are concerned about the level of violence in general across the country. We believe a political solution is the only way to end the conflict and urge all parties to refrain from violence and work constructively with the UN to establish a peace process.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:16:37 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126523

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Yemen: Humanitarian Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department has taken to provide a rapid humanitarian response to victims of violent incidents in Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	254128
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) we are supporting those who have been injured by violent incidents through physical rehabilitation centres, as well as those who have been displaced from their homes with food, health care, psychosocial support and legal assistance.</p><p> </p><p>We routinely pre-position supplies through our partners including World Food Programme and UNICEF, as well as through the UN Rapid Response Mechanism where it is judged conflict might affect populations. In 2018 for example, the UK flew more than 30,000 tents, blankets, kitchen sets and other household items into Yemen which were urgently needed by families displaced from Hodeidah.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:53:36 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1126529

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Polio
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department taking to tackle polio in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Nigeria.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	254120
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK is the third largest donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has committed £1.3 billion in total since 1995. In Afghanistan GPEI are working to reach mobile populations where children have been chronically missed by vaccination campaigns. In Nigeria activities are focussed on trying to reach all children with vaccinations to close immunity gaps that allow polio to remain.</p><p> </p><p>The UK are observers on the Polio Oversight Board and represent all state donors on the Strategy Committee, which gives us a position from which to influence the activities of the fund at a strategic level. We regularly review progress in the endemic countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria and DFID country offices in each of these countries also have valuable insight by engaging with the programme in country.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:40:09 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1126560

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Department for International Development: Sick Leave
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
	tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
	tabling member printed	Tom Brake
	uin	254069
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>106 DFID employees were absent due to stress, anxiety and/or depression during the period 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019. This represented 3.6% of DFID’s workforce and 21% of the overall sickness absence for the department during this period. The estimated cost to DFID due to sickness absence during the period 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019 was £217,350.</p><p> </p><p>DFID is committed to the health and wellbeing of all our staff, including helping them to manage stress in the workplace. DFID offers a range of guidance and services in place to support staff, including our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which offers telephone and face to face counselling for all staff. This service also provides a wide range of online information and advice on work/life issues. DFID’s HR teams and Occupational Health Services provide support and advice for staff and managers to ensure a successful return to work after a period of mental ill health. DFID also has a Listening Network, an informal peer staff network, to complement the help already available.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 21/05/2019 14:55:41 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126606

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Farmers: Suicide
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to suicides in the farming sector, what steps he is taking to monitor levels of distress in that sector.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	254107
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of farmers and agricultural workers’ wellbeing very seriously. I am aware that rates of suicide are higher across the agricultural sector generally than they are for the general population. I know that they often have a solitary lifestyle, it is hard work and their businesses are subject to unpredictable factors such as the weather. As part of the Future Farming programme we are looking at the impact of policies on wellbeing, and we are also working with partners to foster personal and business resilience.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our on-going work using data on the farming sector, we monitor the published ONS statistics on suicides by employment group. As well as headline mortality numbers, we keep under review the issues that may affect broader experiences of positive and negative wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>Officials meet regularly with farming and rural charities to hear first-hand about resilience in the farming sector. This provides an indication of how farmers and farm workers are responding to any pressures affecting the sector.</p><p> </p><p>Government launched its first ever Loneliness Strategy in October 2018. One of Defra’s commitments is to hold regular stakeholder roundtables to tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation in rural areas. The next roundtable, to be chaired by Lord Gardiner, is being held on 11 June 2019. Defra also provides financial support through an annual grant of £1.7 million to Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), whose network of 38 rural community councils work on housing and transport issues that we know can affect farming communities.</p><p> </p><p>Defra works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on this issue. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy highlights the higher risk of suicide experienced by certain occupational groups, and this includes agricultural occupations. Through the Strategy, DHSC has ensured that every local authority has a suicide prevention plan in place to implement tailored approaches to reducing suicides based on the needs and demographics of local communities.</p><p> </p><p>In October 2018, the Prime Minister announced the first Minister for Suicide Prevention, and she recently met the Farming Community Network to understand better the issues facing farmers.</p><p> </p><p>It is important that farmers are aware of the people they can turn to if they are going through difficult times. In particular, the farming charities – the Farming Community Network, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the Addington Fund – all do a brilliant job in supporting farmers and their families. The National Farmers Union also has a regional network of advisers who can provide support.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 21/05/2019 14:49:38 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1126611

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan: Food Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the level of famine is in South Sudan; and what food aid the Government is making available to that country.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	254110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>No famine has currently been declared in South Sudan, although the risk remains high. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report for South Sudan was published in January 2019. This projected that 6.87 million people, 60% of the population, would experience severe levels of food insecurity (IPC phases 3 to 5) between May and July 2019 – including 50,000 people experiencing ‘Catastrophe’, or famine-like, levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 5). The food security crisis in South Sudan is man-made, and driven by conflict. Without peace, the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen.</p><p> </p><p>We are at the forefront of the international response to the crisis, and UK aid is saving lives. Between 2016 and 2020, the UK is providing £122.3 million of emergency food assistance and £56 million of food security and livelihoods assistance to South Sudan. Our food aid is provided to the most vulnerable populations and reached more than 330,000 people in 2018. Where the context is more stable, we build resilience and tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity by working with traders and small producers to kick-start and scale-up markets, and with households to diversify their income sources. The UK is also putting pressure on all conflict parties to commit to the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 21/05/2019 14:54:17 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1126613

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan: Rape
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the prevalence of rape in South Sudan; and what programmes he has established to educate (a) women and (b) men that rape is unacceptable.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	254111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Sexual violence is widespread in South Sudan. In most cases perpetrators of sexual violence are men who are known to the victims. Rape is also regularly used as a weapon of war by all parties. The UK strongly condemns all forms of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). We continue to lobby the Government of South Sudan to address SGBV and end impunity for perpetrators, and support organisations working to tackle the prevalence of SGBV in the country.</p><p> </p><p>This includes a four-year, £14.8 million programme with the International Medical Corps, which has reached more than 850,000 women, men, girls and boys with SGBV interventions in South Sudan. Through this we are supporting survivors of SGBV, including in seeking justice, as well as trying to change damaging attitudes within communities. As attitudes and behaviours are shaped at an early age, our Girls Education in South Sudan programme also educates both boys and girls about healthy relationships.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 21/05/2019 14:54:57 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1126667

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Official Visits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has plans to receive Iranian government ministers in the next six months.
	tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
	tabling member printed	Catherine West
	uin	254253
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>As Minister responsible for the UK's relations with Iran, I have yet to visit Tehran, though I note my predecessor did last year. I hope to be able to visit soon. The Foreign Secretary hopes that the opportunity to travel to Iran will arise in the future but he does not currently have any firm plans to visit. There are no current plans for Iranian ministers to visit the UK for bilateral discussions in this time.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/05/2019 14:15:23 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1126811

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the cost of rail fares to the EU from the UK will be affected by the UK leaving the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	254788
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Fares for international passenger services between the UK and the EU are set by the relevant train operator on a commercial basis. Any potential change in fares is therefore a commercial matter for the operators concerned.</p> answering member constituency Epsom and Ewell answering member printed Chris Grayling question first answered 21/05/2019 14:35:53 answering member 1413 label Biography information for Chris Grayling
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1126864

	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	Service Industries: UK Trade with EU
	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 he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU single market on the (a) strength of and (b) level of jobs in the UK service sector.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	uin	254842
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>On 28 November 2018, Her Majesty's Government released a detailed economic assessment of the effect of multiple EU Exit scenarios on the strength of all parts of the UK economy, including the services sector.</p><p>The Government works closely with the sector through the industry-led Professional and Business Services Council (PBSC). The Council is made up of representatives from the PBS sector, with a number of working groups focusing on important issues and opportunities for growth and employment in the sector.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 21/05/2019 14:56:57 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1126867

	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	Washing Machines: Waste Disposal
	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 potential merits of a washing machine scrappage scheme.
	tabling member constituency	North Cornwall
	tabling member printed	Scott Mann
	uin	254845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to introduce a scrappage scheme for washing machines. However, some retailers do offer a recycling scheme on a voluntary basis for old appliances including washing machines.</p><p> </p><p>Electrical Products must be safe when placed on the market and producers must keep consumers informed of risks and take appropriate action to avoid risks once they are in use.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/05/2019 14:57:35 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4496 label Biography information for Scott Mann

1126873

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dangerous Dogs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking against dog owners whose dogs have attacked (a) other dogs and (b) people; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	254725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence to allow a dog, of any breed or type, to be dangerously out of control. This includes instances where dogs attack other animals including dogs, as well as people. We have discussed this application of the 1991 Act with the police.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:40:48 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1126882

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were imported (a) in total and (b) from each country of origin using the Balai Directive in 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Nottingham North
	tabling member printed	Alex Norris
	uin	254872
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The numbers of dogs that were imported in total and from each country of origin using the Balai Directive in 2018 were as follows:</p><p> </p><p>The total number of dogs imported in 2018 was <ins class="ministerial">37,144</ins><del class="ministerial"><strong>20,845</strong></del>.</p><p> </p><p>The breakdown of this figure by country is as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Country Of Origin</p></td><td><p>Dogs</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Austria</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">1</ins><del class="ministerial">10</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Belgium</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">1</ins><del class="ministerial">4 </del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Bulgaria</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">216</ins><del class="ministerial">61</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Croatia</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">265</ins><del class="ministerial">149</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Cyprus</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">3566</ins><del class="ministerial">3156</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Czech Republic</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">63</ins><del class="ministerial">115</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong> <ins class="ministerial">Denmark</ins></strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">1 </ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Estonia</strong></p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Finland</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">3</ins><del class="ministerial">2</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>France</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">72</ins><del class="ministerial">19</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Germany</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">13</ins><del class="ministerial">4</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Greece</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">107</ins><del class="ministerial">125</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Hungary</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">1585</ins><del class="ministerial">519</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Ireland (Rep. of)</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">7828</ins><del class="ministerial">4896</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Italy</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">26</ins><del class="ministerial">24</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Latvia</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">1</ins><del class="ministerial">2</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Lithuania</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">6</ins><del class="ministerial">9</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Malta</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">4</ins><del class="ministerial">6</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Netherlands</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">111</ins><del class="ministerial">19</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Poland</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">881</ins><del class="ministerial">420</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Portugal</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">173</ins><del class="ministerial">2</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Romania</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">17189</ins><del class="ministerial">7461</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Slovakia</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">23</ins><del class="ministerial">9</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Slovenia</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">3</ins><del class="ministerial">2</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Spain</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">4995</ins><del class="ministerial">3816</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Sweden</strong></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">9</ins><del class="ministerial">8</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>Switzerland</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">2</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>UK</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">3</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong><ins class="ministerial">37,144</ins><del class="ministerial">20,845</del></strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>The data for commercial imports covers the number of animals imported into the UK, and was extracted from TRACES through the Qlikview facility by searching for imports of dogs and their commodity codes in 2018 to the UK by country of origin. These figures cover all commercially imported dogs, including commercial puppies, rescue dogs, research dogs and unaccompanied pets.</p><p> </p><p>The information that the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has provided is a true reflection of the information that is held. APHA cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data, as the information has been entered into TRACES by a third party.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:25:58 question first ministerially corrected 04/06/2019 10:12:38 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley previous answer version 119293 answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4641 label Biography information for Alex Norris

1126883

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were imported (a) in total and (b) from each country of origin via the Pet Travel Scheme in 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Nottingham North
	tabling member printed	Alex Norris
	uin	254873
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">194,712</del> <ins class="ministerial">307,357 </ins>dogs were imported in total via the Pet Travel Scheme in 2018.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is unable to provide a breakdown of the number of dogs travelling under the scheme by country as it does not hold that information.</p><p> </p><p>The data regarding the Pet Travel Scheme is taken from APHA’s system for recording pets’ throughput based on information provided by checkers employed by approved carriers of pet animals.</p><p> </p><p>The information that APHA has provided is a true reflection of the information that is held. APHA cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data, as it can only rely on the information that has been entered into the pets’ returns by a third party.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:34:26 question first ministerially corrected 04/06/2019 10:12:59 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley previous answer version 119296 answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4641 label Biography information for Alex Norris

1126901

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Assistance Animals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether people travelling with assistance dogs to the EU will face disruption at EU borders at (a) train stations, (b) ports and (c) airports in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
	tabling member printed	Tom Brake
	uin	254715
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government understands that assistance dog users, who have become familiar with the benefits of using the EU Pet Travel Scheme to travel to EU Member States, are concerned about the changes that could take place when the UK leaves the EU.</p><p> </p><p>In any exit scenario owners of assistance dogs from the UK will still be able to travel to the EU with their animals. After exit we want owners of assistance dogs to be able to take their animals to the EU with the minimum of disruption.</p><p> </p><p>If the UK leaves the EU without a deal and becomes an unlisted third country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, assistance dogs would need to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, as now, but would also need to undergo a blood titre test to demonstrate that their rabies vaccination has been effective.</p><p> </p><p>On 25 March 2019 Defra issued updated guidance on pet travel to Europe after Brexit, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit</a>. This advises of the contingency planning owners should consider to make sure their animals can travel to the EU in the scenario that the UK is not granted listed third country status under EU Pet Travel Scheme rules. The guidance advises owners to contact their vet at least four months before travelling to get the latest advice.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has submitted an application for the UK to become a listed country under the EU pet travel regulations. Should the UK become a Part 1 listed country, there would be little change to the current arrangements, with only minor changes needed for documentation and, in most cases, no change for owners from what they currently need to do in terms of their animal’s health preparation. It is now for the EU Commission to consider our application for listed status.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work with assistance dog organisations to share the latest advice and guidance (in accessible formats) with their members. We will also work with carriers to ensure that assistance dog owners have the correct health preparation and documentation to enable them to enter the EU. When further information becomes available it will be published on GOV.UK. Email alerts on pet travel can be subscribed to at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications</a>. We will also ensure that vets who issue pet travel documents have the most up to date information.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 21/05/2019 14:19:39 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126943

	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	Greenhouse Gas 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, what steps the Government is taking to reduce greenhouses gases to zero by 2050.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	254767
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is convinced of the need for urgent action on climate change, which is why we asked the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) for advice last October on the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction targets, including on setting a net zero target.</p><p> </p><p>The CCC published their advice to Government on 2 May 2019. It sets out a path for the UK to become the first major economy to legislate to end our contribution to global warming entirely. We are studying the CCC’s comprehensive, ground-breaking report, and are committed to responding in due course.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 21/05/2019 14:55:14 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1126964

	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	Construction: Trading 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, what guidance his Department has issued to the public on identifying competent builders.
	tabling member constituency	Morecambe and Lunesdale
	tabling member printed	David Morris
	uin	254823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department has not issued guidance to consumers on identifying competent builders. However, the Government has endorsed the TrustMark scheme, which identifies local traders who have undergone independent checks for both trade competence and good trading practice. This scheme gives consumers increased confidence and ability to choose registered businesses including builders who adhere to and maintain high standards.</p><p> </p><p>Further information is available for consumers on the Citizens Advice website at: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.citizensadvice.org.uk%2Fconsumer%2Fget-more-help%2Ffind-a-trader-and-check-you-can-trust-them%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CDavid.A.Evans%40beis.gov.uk%7C5e108d5ef26c4fe5799d08d6d9e53d9e%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C636935975928961375&amp;sdata=yiYErA%2BneSDju7p8BfPMbMPySqK5tc9zS7ArZpKBZrc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/find-a-trader-and-check-you-can-trust-them/</a>.</p><p> </p><p>For free information on their rights and how to take a complaint forward, consumers should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>).</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/05/2019 14:56:02 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 119036 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4135 label Biography information for David Morris

1126965

	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	Consumers
	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 Government plans to publish the White Paper on modernising consumer markets.
	tabling member constituency	Morecambe and Lunesdale
	tabling member printed	David Morris
	uin	254824
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government’s Consumer White Paper is due to be published later this year.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/05/2019 14:56:17 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 119037 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4135 label Biography information for David Morris

1127077

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	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	Consumers: Internet
	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 30 April 2019 to Question 245672 on Consumers: Internet, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 are fully enforced.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	255292
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2008 provides for a number of enforcers, such as Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority, to enforce consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Alleged breaches of legislation should be reported in the first instance through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>). The helpline will refer on alleged breaches of legislation to the relevant authority for appropriate enforcement action.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/05/2019 14:54:53 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1127161

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Coastal Areas: Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase sustainable employment opportunities in coastal communities.
	tabling member constituency	Great Grimsby
	tabling member printed	Melanie Onn
	uin	255349
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is working in partnership with places to develop Local Industrial Strategies by Spring 2020 to ensure that all places, including coastal communities, can contribute to and benefit from growth and sustainable job creation through employment and skills policies.</p><p>Local Growth Deals are also providing coastal Local Enterprise Partnerships with funding to promote economic growth and job creation in their coastal communities.</p><p>Under the Coastal Communities Fund we have invested over £218 million in 354 projects across the UK since 2012. This is helping to create or safeguard over 18,000 UK jobs and generate £363 million in new visitor spend. We are undertaking an evaluation of the projects funded to date to review their effectiveness in delivering sustainable economic growth and jobs to inform any future funding rounds.</p><p>The Town Deal for Greater Grimsby, announced in July 2018, is helping to drive economic growth and employment creation in the area. This includes investment in the regeneration of Grimsby town centre and Cleethorpes, infrastructure to unlock strategic employment sites, and investment in training facilities to improve specialist skills and employment opportunities.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler grouped question UIN 255350 question first answered 21/05/2019 14:58:50 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4464 label Biography information for Melanie Onn

1127190

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Fracking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much (a) official development aid and (b) non-official development aid has been spent via the Prosperity Fund by his Department to provide fracking expertise to foreign Governments since 2016.
	tabling member constituency	Nottingham North
	tabling member printed	Alex Norris
	uin	255376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Through the Prosperity Fund, the FCO has spent around £87,000 Official Development Assistance (ODA) on projects intended to improve the environmental regulation of shale gas development in China since 2016.</p><p>The UK regulatory regime for Shale gas is considered among the most robust and stringent in the world. Sharing UK expertise within the UK oil and gas sector, including on environmental regulation, can help ensure that the exploration or development of resources like natural gas is done to a high standard and is managed as part of a transition to low carbon energy system, as well as supporting economic development and poverty reduction</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 21/05/2019 14:36:05 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4641 label Biography information for Alex Norris

1127193

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	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	Telecommunications and Utilities: 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 assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of the (a) water, (b) energy and (c) telecoms sectors in promoting sustainability.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	255328
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>We keep the effectiveness of our regulatory regimes under review. The National Audit Office also assesses regulation and regulatory outcomes. The Government has asked the National Infrastructure Commission to assess what changes might be necessary to the existing regulatory framework to facilitate future investment needs, promote greater competition and increase innovation, and meet the needs of both current and future consumers.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/05/2019 14:55:07 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1127197

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Inland Waterways: Kent
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February 2019 to Question 220196 on Inland waterways, whether a public right of navigation is in place along the Kentish Stour between Canterbury and Fordwich.
	tabling member constituency	Canterbury
	tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
	uin	255372
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>There is no navigation authority with jurisdiction over the Kentish Stour between Canterbury and Fordwich. Rights of navigation in this stretch are subject to navigation agreements between riparian landowners and those wishing to navigate the waterway. The Department does not hold information on individual navigation agreements.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 21/05/2019 14:05:35 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1127203

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Coastal Areas: Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure the coastal communities fund creates sustainable employment opportunities in coastal towns.
	tabling member constituency	Great Grimsby
	tabling member printed	Melanie Onn
	uin	255350
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is working in partnership with places to develop Local Industrial Strategies by Spring 2020 to ensure that all places, including coastal communities, can contribute to and benefit from growth and sustainable job creation through employment and skills policies.</p><p>Local Growth Deals are also providing coastal Local Enterprise Partnerships with funding to promote economic growth and job creation in their coastal communities.</p><p>Under the Coastal Communities Fund we have invested over £218 million in 354 projects across the UK since 2012. This is helping to create or safeguard over 18,000 UK jobs and generate £363 million in new visitor spend. We are undertaking an evaluation of the projects funded to date to review their effectiveness in delivering sustainable economic growth and jobs to inform any future funding rounds.</p><p>The Town Deal for Greater Grimsby, announced in July 2018, is helping to drive economic growth and employment creation in the area. This includes investment in the regeneration of Grimsby town centre and Cleethorpes, infrastructure to unlock strategic employment sites, and investment in training facilities to improve specialist skills and employment opportunities.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler grouped question UIN 255349 question first answered 21/05/2019 14:58:50 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4464 label Biography information for Melanie Onn

1127306

	registered interest
	date	17/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Insurance Companies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to make sure that adequate interim payments to third parties are made promptly by insurance companies after those companies have accepted liability.
	tabling member constituency	Orpington
	tabling member printed	Joseph Johnson
	uin	255668
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. It sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms in relation to their business.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. It is important that insurers treat customers fairly and the Government supports the FCA in carrying out its responsibilities.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 255669 255670 question first answered 21/05/2019 14:42:59 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone

1127307

	registered interest
	date	17/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Insurance Companies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to stop insurance companies delaying interim payments to third parties to take advantage of potential changes to the Ogden discount rate.
	tabling member constituency	Orpington
	tabling member printed	Joseph Johnson
	uin	255669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. It sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms in relation to their business.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. It is important that insurers treat customers fairly and the Government supports the FCA in carrying out its responsibilities.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 255668 255670 question first answered 21/05/2019 14:42:59 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone

1127308

	registered interest
	date	17/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Insurance Companies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to introduce a legally binding code of conduct for insurance companies to protect (a) defendants and (b) claimants from the start of a third party claim to the final settlement.
	tabling member constituency	Orpington
	tabling member printed	Joseph Johnson
	uin	255670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. It sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms in relation to their business.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. It is important that insurers treat customers fairly and the Government supports the FCA in carrying out its responsibilities.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 255668 255669 question first answered 21/05/2019 14:42:59 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone

1127719

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Economic Situation: Air Pollution
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What assessment the Government has made of the economic effect on vulnerable people of air pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	911016
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>We are determined to tackle air pollution and reduce its impact on public health and the environment.</p><p> </p><p>The government has committed £3.5bn to improve air quality for the entire population.</p><p> </p><p>Emissions of toxic Nitrogen Oxides have fallen by almost 29% since 2010 and are at their lowest level since records began, but there remains more to do.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 21/05/2019 13:48:00 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse