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answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN previous answer version answering member constituency answering member constituency answering member printed answering member printed answering member label answering member label question first answered question first ministerially corrected answering member label attachment file name title
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77841

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Trade Fairs: Farnborough
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the net benefit to the UK export sector as a result of the recent Farnborough Airshow.
	tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
	tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
	uin	206009
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2014 answer text <p><ins class="ministerial">Farnborough is an important showcase for the UK aerospace sector. The Department does not make estimates of aerospace exports arising as a result of the Farnborough Airshow. However, given the UK’s position as a leading supplier to the world’s aerospace industry, our industry is likely to be a major beneficiary of many of the new orders announced at the Show.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Recent data from the Aerospace Defence and Security trade association show aerospace exports grew by 12% in 2013 to £25 billion.</ins></p><p><br /><del class="ministerial">There has been significant interest in UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Direct Lending Facility (DLF) since its enhancements were announced in the Budget. Since it was relaunched on 30 June 2014, the pipeline of potential export contracts has developed and now involves 28 UK-based exporters of varying size and export experience. As it stands, the pipeline has 35 potential export contracts that range from £3m to over £350m. Most importantly, the DLF pipeline is growing.</del></p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock previous answer version 11700 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock 19350 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock question first answered 10/09/2014 15:27:30 question first ministerially corrected 29/10/2014 14:19:01 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans

78334

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Defence Equipment: Exhibitions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether companies which have been previously ejected from the DSEI arms fair for selling equipment which could be used for torture are permitted to exhibit at future similar events in London.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	206108
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>DSEI is a commercial exhibition run by Clarion Events. The decision whether to allow a company to exhibit is a matter for Clarion Events in compliance with UK law and export control regulation.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 10/09/2014 14:28:09 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11711 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

78120

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Royal Mail
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2014, Official Report, column 292W, on Royal Mail, from which directorate each member of staff working on the privatisation of Royal Mail was drawn.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	206032
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The core team of 17 people working on the sale of Royal Mail shares comprised staff from the Shareholder Executive. Staff in other BIS Directorates contributed to the work - primarily from Legal Directorate, Finance Directorate, Press Office and Economics and Markets Directorate.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The project received scrutiny outside BIS from the Cabinet Office’s Major Projects Authority and a Treasury Approval Point panel. <br></p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 22/07/2014 14:37:08 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11679 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

77834

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: Loans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many firms have received assistance under the Direct Lending Scheme to date.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	206025
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There has been significant interest in UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Direct Lending Facility (DLF) since its enhancements were announced in the Budget. Since it was relaunched on 30 June 2014, the pipeline of potential export contracts has developed and now involves 28 UK-based exporters of varying size and export experience. As it stands, the pipeline has 35 potential export contracts that range from £3m to over £350m. Most importantly, the DLF pipeline is growing.</p><p> </p><p><br> <br></p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 10/09/2014 15:33:12 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11686 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

78359

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Royal Mail
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what (a) meetings and (b) discussions on the privatisation of Royal Mail took place between (i) Ministers, (ii) officials, (iii) the Financial Adviser to HM Government, (iv) the banking syndicate working on the privatisation and (v) priority investors (A) ahead of and (B) since the privatisation of Royal Mail.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	206368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were no meetings between Ministers or Officials and investors in the lead up to the IPO. Regular meetings and discussions took place between Minsters and Officials, and between Officials and Advisers and Glocos ahead of the IPO. Since then, officials have met with members of the banking syndicate and investors in relation to Select Committee hearings.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 10/09/2014 15:38:49 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 13049 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

63145

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Apprentices: Horticulture
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to fund and support businesses in the horticulture sector to take on apprentices.
	tabling member constituency	Brecon and Radnorshire
	tabling member printed	Roger Williams
	uin	201713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Apprenticeship reforms are addressing exactly the barriers that employers have identified to taking on apprentices.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Trailblazers led by employers are designing the new Apprenticeship standards for occupations in their sectors. Horticulture employers are fully engaged in the reform programme and the Trailblazer for the sector has recently submitted a standard for approval.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The budget announced £170 m funding to extend the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers to help smaller businesses take on young apprentices aged 16-24. This will fund over 100,000 incentive payments of £1,500. Extending the grant into 2015 will ensure Apprenticeship take up by small businesses, including those in the horticulture sector, continues to be supported.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 30/06/2014 15:41:20 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 6514 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1394 label Biography information for Roger Williams

89425

	registered interest
	date	29/08/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Textiles: Industry
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to increase textile manufacturing in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Bradford East
	tabling member printed	Mr David Ward
	uin	207527
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Companies in the textiles manufacturing sector can access help and advice to grow their business through ‘GREAT” <a href="http://www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.greatbusiness.gov.uk</a> or <a href="http://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a> : eligible businesses can gain support in areas such as starting, running, funding, staffing and expanding a business.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>BIS has provided targeted support to the textiles sector in a number of ways. Firstly, £12.8 million has been made available from the Regional Growth Fund to support the Textiles Growth Programme, which is focused on creating and safeguarding 1,020 jobs in textiles by supporting capital projects, skills training and research and development in the North of England.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Growth Deals will allow Local Enterprise Partnerships with a textiles manufacturing presence in their regions to prioritise the financial support available (£2bn a year for 6 years from 2015/16 to 2020/2) for proposals that target this sector.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) provides grants and loans to successful projects demonstrating real ambition to create globally competitive supply chains. £3.9m of AMSCI funding has been awarded to C &amp; J Antich Ltd to pioneer a technique for weaving Aluminium Dioxide thread into 3D shapes to form the basis for the production of ‘reinforced aluminium’.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Additional funding of £100 million for AMSCI 2014 was announced in April. The new round is open to applications from all organisations operating as part of a manufacturing supply chain including textile manufacturers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) offers expert advice and grant support to eligible manufacturing companies throughout England. MAS delivers a range of support to manufacturing companies; including those in the textiles sector; ranging from company specific diagnostics, workforce up skilling and grant funding for specific projects to achieve the company’s growth ambitions. Since January 2012 MAS have supported 334 companies in the textiles and leather sector to deliver 417 company specific projects, a further 109 projects are due for completion this financial year. 1521 business diagnostics have been undertaken with companies in the textiles and leather sector.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As part of the Sector Mentoring Fund, Manchester Economic Solutions Ltd was awarded £77,500 in January to deliver Mentor Tex, which is a textile sector mentoring programme concentrated in key textiles regions such as Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire. The scheme has attracted interest from a wide range of textiles businesses, with 32 mentees and 13 mentors already signed up and other in the pipeline. To date 12 mentoring relationships are already in place and we expect to meet project targets by the end of the summer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) can also help the domestic supply chain for textiles exploit opportunities for exporting into new markets overseas. We are also helping raise skills levels through an unprecedented focus on vocational training, including Higher Level Apprenticeships which will provide for higher level skills and beyond into postgraduate level and professional qualifications.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Finally, the textiles sector, particularly technical textiles, continues to have access to opportunities for technology transfer and the exchange of knowledge provided by the Knowledge Transfer Network.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 05/09/2014 13:08:27 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 17978 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3923 label Biography information for Mr David Ward

90270

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Biofuels: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information he holds on the level of wood pellet imports from (a) the USA and (b) Canada in each of the last three years for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Blackley and Broughton
	tabling member printed	Graham Stringer
	uin	207892
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Data on the value and net mass of imports of wood pellets are published by HMRC in Overseas Trade Statistics. Data for the years 2011 to 2013 are shown in the following tables. Due to routine updating of the commodity codes by Eurostat, wood pellets were coded as ‘44013020 - Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in pellets’ in 2011 but then classified to the new code ‘44013100 – wood pellets’ in 2012 and 2013. For this analysis we have combined these two headings to provide a consistent series.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Wood pellet imports to the UK from the USA</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Value wood pellets imports (£s)</p></td><td><p>32,516,769</p></td><td><p>59,993,226</p></td><td><p>196,894,259</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Net mass of wood pellet imports (kg)</p></td><td><p>274,453,183</p></td><td><p>475,336,518</p></td><td><p>1,684,810,418</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics</p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" rowspan="2"><p>Note: wood pellets were classified as 'HS 44013020 - Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in pellets' in 2011 and as 'HS 44013100 - Wood pellets' in 2012 and 2013</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Wood pellet imports to the UK from Canada</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Value wood pellets imports (£s)</p></td><td><p>77,712,194</p></td><td><p>108,073,728</p></td><td><p>168,603,061</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Net mass of wood pellet imports (kg)</p></td><td><p>591,780,847</p></td><td><p>854,602,676</p></td><td><p>1,355,464,003</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics</p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" rowspan="2"><p>Note: wood pellets were classified as 'HS 44013020 - Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in pellets' in 2011 and as 'HS 44013100 - Wood pellets' in 2012 and 2013</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 09/09/2014 15:05:22 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 18990 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	449 label Biography information for Graham Stringer

77910

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Arms Trade: Exports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the net benefit to UK defence exports as a result of the recent Farnborough Airshow.
	tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
	tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
	uin	206008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Farnborough is an important showcase for the UK Defence sector, the Department does not make estimates of defence exports arising as a result of the Farnborough Airshow, but recent figures released show that defence exports grew by 11% in 2013 to £9.8 billion. Previous exhibitions such as Farnborough 2012 are likely to have contributed to these figures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 10/09/2014 15:12:59 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11704 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans

78420

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Training: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many traineeships completed to date have lasted six weeks or less.
	tabling member constituency	Bethnal Green and Bow
	tabling member printed	Rushanara Ali
	uin	206127
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In the June Statistical First Release we published data showing that there were 7,400 Traineeships starts between August 2013 and April 2014 – the first nine months of the programme. We do not yet have reliable data to break this down further.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Further information on Traineeships data is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324016/traineeship-data-note-june14.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324016/traineeship-data-note-june14.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 21/07/2014 16:53:11 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11717 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4138 label Biography information for Rushanara Ali

90271

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Billing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of late payments on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs); and whether his Department plans to bring forward any further measures to assist in SMEs with cash flow.
	tabling member constituency	Redditch
	tabling member printed	Karen Lumley
	uin	207890
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In the May 2014 Government Response to our discussion paper, <em>Building a Responsible Payment Culture</em>, we set out measures to create greater transparency of payment practices and a more responsible payment culture. Through the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill we are developing a requirement for large firms to publish their payment practices and a measure to prohibit contractual barriers to finance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, we have committed to working with the Institute for Credit Management and signatories to strengthen the Prompt Payment Code. And the British Business Bank aims to address long standing, structural gaps in the supply of finance to businesses and provide diverse sources of funding for small and medium sized businesses.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 09/09/2014 14:17:54 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 18986 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4023 label Biography information for Karen Lumley

90269

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Biofuels: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information he holds on the proportion of wood pellets imported from North America that were derived from roundwood in the latest year for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Blackley and Broughton
	tabling member printed	Graham Stringer
	uin	207891
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government does not hold any information on the proportion of imported wood pellets from North America from roundwood.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 09/09/2014 14:24:43 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 18987 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	449 label Biography information for Graham Stringer

78646

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	UK Export Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of his proposals to extend the powers of UK Export Finance on (a) the commitment on the Coalition Agreement for UK Trade and Investment and the Export Credits Guarantee Department to become champions for British companies that develop and export innovative green technologies around the world and (b) human rights; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	206521
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/08/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The proposals to extend the powers of UK Export Finance (UKEF) should be helpful to exporters operating in all sectors.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 29/08/2014 08:45:39 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 13043 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

101765

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Timber: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what tonnage of imports of wood pellets there has been into the UK in the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Blackley and Broughton
	tabling member printed	Graham Stringer
	uin	212602
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2014 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Data on the net mass of imports of wood pellets are published by HMRC in Overseas Trade Statistics. Data for the years 2011 to 2013 are shown in the following tables. Due to routine updating of the commodity codes by Eurostat, wood pellets were coded as ‘44013020 - Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in pellets’ in 2011 but then classified to the new code ‘44013100 – wood pellets’ in 2012 and 2013. For this analysis we have combined these two headings to provide a consistent series. The values below are provided in metric tonnes, each equivalent to 1,000 kg.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="4"><p>Net mass of wood pellet imports to the UK (metric tonnes)</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>1,015,102</p></td><td><p>1,486,899</p></td><td><p>3,432,187</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><p>Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><p>Note: wood pellets were classified as 'HS 44013020 - Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in pellets' in 2011 and as 'HS 44013100 - Wood pellets' in 2012 and 2013</p></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 11/11/2014 15:20:39 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 26406 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	449 label Biography information for Graham Stringer

172118

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	City Link
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what meetings officials or Ministers of his Department have had with representatives of City Link in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	219929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2015 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Better Capital notified the department of City Link’s imminent administration by telephone on 23 December 2014. Otherwise, no Ministers or officials have had meetings with individuals or groups representing City Link in the last 12 months.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has stated, he was in frequent contact with the Unions over the Christmas and New Year period to discuss developments and BIS officials have been in regular contact with City Link’s administrator.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 14/01/2015 11:59:10 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 37787 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

167398

	registered interest
	date	02/12/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Service Industries: EU Action
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress he has made on services liberalisation at an EU level; and if he will make statement.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Sussex
	tabling member printed	Sir Nicholas Soames
	uin	216820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2014 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Following the introduction of the EU services directive, the UK has been a leader in pushing for consistent implementation across member states. More recently, the UK published a non-paper on further services liberalisation which has been widely shared in Europe. Its recommendations have attracted considerable support. We have seen positive signals on services liberalisation from the new Single Market Commissioner, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, in her keynote speech on 18<sup>th</sup> November and services liberalisation also features in the Commission’s recently published ‘Investment Plan for Europe’.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 08/12/2014 15:41:15 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 31968 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	116 label Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching

156152

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Small Businesses
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what additional support he plans to give small and medium-sized businesses in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Inverclyde
	tabling member printed	Iain McKenzie
	uin	215037
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Small businesses are vital to our economy and our small business owners have driven this economic recovery. The Inverclyde constituency has benefitted from a number of support schemes. The Business Bank’s Start-Up Loan programme has already provided 16 loans, with a value of £55,000, to people starting a business in Inverclyde. And since May 2010, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme has supported loans in the area with a total value of £970,000.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>We are committed to making Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and are doing this in a number of ways:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>£10 billion of financing will be unlocked for smaller business over the next 5 years by our British Business Bank;</li><li>Government grants of up to £3,000 for better internet connectivity are available to small businesses;</li><li>The Business Support Helpline is available to provide bespoke information and advice;</li><li>Cuts to corporation tax from 28% to 21%; and</li><li>£2,000 cut from the National Insurance bills of small firms from the new Employment Allowance.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 24/11/2014 15:30:34 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 29270 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4246 label Biography information for Iain McKenzie

167397

	registered interest
	date	02/12/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Bureaucracy: EU Action
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps he has taken at a EU level to reduce bureaucracy.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Sussex
	tabling member printed	Sir Nicholas Soames
	uin	216821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2014 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to attach high priority to the reduction of unnecessary EU bureaucracy. We have called on the European Commission to step up its efforts in this area, and we therefore welcome the fact that the Commission has created the new post of First Vice-President (Frans Timmermans) with specific responsibility for Better Regulation across the entire Commission.</p><p> </p><p>We succeeded in securing agreement on very positive Conclusions at the 4 December EU Competitiveness Council, which call on the EU institutions to enhance efforts to reduce the overall regulatory burden, and call on the Commission to develop and put in place reduction targets in particularly burdensome areas, especially for SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, as I reported in my Written Ministerial Statement of 6 November (Column 51WS), since October 2013, 10 out of the 30 recommendations of the Business Taskforce report, “Cut EU red tape”, have been achieved, saving businesses over £200 million, as highlighted in the Taskforce’s progress report published last month at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cut-eu-red-tape-business-taskforce-report-one-year-on" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cut-eu-red-tape-business-taskforce-report-one-year-on</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 08/12/2014 15:42:06 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 31971 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	116 label Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching

178447

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Ordnance Survey
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to change Ordnance Survey into a Government-owned company.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	223843
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2015 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The change to a Government–owned Company is operational in nature. Having carried out due diligence on existing legislative references and as there is no change to the ownership model, there are no legislative requirements to effect the change.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 16/02/2015 14:55:19 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 45225 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

171959

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Wind
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate she has made of the mean wind speed in each constituent part of the UK in each month of 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Tom Greatrex
	uin	219685
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2015 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>Based on data from its network of wind observing stations, the Met Office’s estimate of mean wind speed in each of the constituent parts of the UK in each month of 2014 is shown in the following table:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td colspan="5"><p><strong><em>Mean wind speed (knots)</em></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong><em>Month (2014)</em></strong></p></td><td><p><strong><em>UK</em></strong></p></td><td><p><strong><em>England</em></strong></p></td><td><p><strong><em>Wales</em></strong></p></td><td><p><strong><em>Scotland</em></strong></p></td><td><p><strong><em>Northern Ireland</em></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>January</p></td><td><p>11.0</p></td><td><p>10.2</p></td><td><p>12.2</p></td><td><p>12.2</p></td><td><p>10.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>February</p></td><td><p>13.7</p></td><td><p>12.9</p></td><td><p>16.4</p></td><td><p>14.5</p></td><td><p>13.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March</p></td><td><p>10.5</p></td><td><p>8.9</p></td><td><p>10.3</p></td><td><p>13.4</p></td><td><p>10.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>April</p></td><td><p>9.1</p></td><td><p>7.9</p></td><td><p>8.4</p></td><td><p>11.1</p></td><td><p>8.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May</p></td><td><p>8.0</p></td><td><p>7.7</p></td><td><p>8.5</p></td><td><p>8.4</p></td><td><p>7.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>June</p></td><td><p>6.6</p></td><td><p>6.1</p></td><td><p>6.6</p></td><td><p>7.4</p></td><td><p>6.5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>July</p></td><td><p>7.4</p></td><td><p>7.0</p></td><td><p>7.3</p></td><td><p>8.1</p></td><td><p>6.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>August</p></td><td><p>9.2</p></td><td><p>8.4</p></td><td><p>9.6</p></td><td><p>10.4</p></td><td><p>8.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>September</p></td><td><p>6.2</p></td><td><p>5.5</p></td><td><p>5.8</p></td><td><p>7.6</p></td><td><p>5.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>October</p></td><td><p>10.6</p></td><td><p>9.1</p></td><td><p>11.9</p></td><td><p>12.6</p></td><td><p>9.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>November</p></td><td><p>8.2</p></td><td><p>7.5</p></td><td><p>8.9</p></td><td><p>9.3</p></td><td><p>7.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>December</p></td><td><p>11.3</p></td><td><p>10.1</p></td><td><p>12.5</p></td><td><p>13.3</p></td><td><p>10.1</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 12/01/2015 16:14:56 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 37629 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4047 label Biography information for Tom Greatrex

226214

	registered interest
	date	10/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Government Assistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many valid Growth Vouchers have been issued that have not yet been redeemed.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	227102
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>As at 19 March, 8,103 businesses have a valid voucher and they will have until the expiry date on the voucher to redeem the subsidy.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 24/03/2015 15:35:09 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 50323 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

174656

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Council of the European Union acted by unanimity or qualified majority when adopting the negotiating directives for the EU for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
	tabling member constituency	Bury North
	tabling member printed	Mr David Nuttall
	uin	221469
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>As the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiating directives call for what would be a mixed agreement they were adopted by the Council by consensus, requiring the consent of every Member State.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The negotiating directives can be found at <a href="http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1162" target="_blank">http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1162</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 27/01/2015 15:33:06 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 40011 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4140 label Biography information for Mr David Nuttall

224350

	registered interest
	date	02/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Advisory Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what programmes are administered by the Business Bank; and how many businesses received support from each such programme in each month since those programmes began.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	225939
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2015 answer text <p>Details of British Business Bank (BBB) programmes and the number of businesses receiving support from each programme are attached. The figures show the increasing role of BBB programmes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 09/03/2015 14:36:44 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock attachment 1 file name Attachment for 225939-4613.xlsx title British Business Bank programmes previous answer version 48144 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

228259

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Arms Trade: Export Controls
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Government's response to the First Joint Report of the Committees on Arms Export Controls, Cm 935, published in October 2014, what progress has been made on the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Clarion Events and the Export Control Organisation; and if he will publish the (a) findings of that review and (b) revised MoU.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	228210
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>Discussions with Clarion Defence and Security Limited on the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have commenced. These discussions have not yet been concluded and are unlikely to do so before the early summer of 2015. When complete, the MOU will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 24/03/2015 15:28:54 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 52075 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

164311

	registered interest
	date	24/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Regeneration
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what investment in regeneration projects the Regeneration Investment Organisation has secured in the last six months.
	tabling member constituency	Caerphilly
	tabling member printed	Wayne David
	uin	215654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>Having built up a ‘shovel ready’ pipeline of 41 projects within 12 months, UK Trade and Investment’s Regeneration Investment Organisation (RIO) will shortly announce its first win for this financial year. RIO hopes to deliver two more project wins this financial year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Beyond this, RIO’s £112bn long-term pipeline has the potential to create 640,000 jobs. 41 out of a total 180 projects have undergone technical investment evaluation and this number will soon rise to 100 verified projects. RIO has prioritised its overseas investors from 7 key markets and continues to support investment and supply chain development into ongoing projects such as Manchester Airport City and Battersea Power Station.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 17/12/2014 16:16:40 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 30716 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1398 label Biography information for Wayne David

100297

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Iron and Steel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much steel was produced in the UK in each year since 1985.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	211593
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>I can confirm that UK steel production from 1985 is as per the following table:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p>UK Crude steel production</p><p>In ‘000 tonnes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1985</p></td><td><p>15,488</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1986</p></td><td><p>14,479</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1987</p></td><td><p>17,195</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1988</p></td><td><p>18,723</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1989</p></td><td><p>18,508</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1990</p></td><td><p>17,610</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1991</p></td><td><p>16,295</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1992</p></td><td><p>16,050</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1993</p></td><td><p>16,469</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1994</p></td><td><p>17,172</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1995</p></td><td><p>17,439</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1996</p></td><td><p>17,818</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1997</p></td><td><p>18,328</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1998</p></td><td><p>17,141</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1999</p></td><td><p>16,181</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2000</p></td><td><p>15,019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2001</p></td><td><p>13,403</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2002</p></td><td><p>11,528</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2003</p></td><td><p>13,129</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004</p></td><td><p>13,766</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>13,239</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>13,906</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>14,392</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>13,521</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>10,075</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>9,708</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>9,478</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>9,579</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>11,942</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>7,114 (to end July)</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Source - Iron &amp; Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB)</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 16:08:40 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 24557 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

100301

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Oil: Western Sahara
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received on consultations held with the Saharawi regarding proposed drilling for oil by Cairn Energy in the waters of Western Sahara.
	tabling member constituency	Islington North
	tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
	uin	211504
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>I can confirm that neither I nor my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills have received any such representations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 30/10/2014 16:28:30 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 24558 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

46442

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the (a) median and (b) mean (i) annual and (ii) hourly salary is for (A) men and (B) women in Government-sponsored apprenticeship schemes; and what those figures were in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Ashfield
	tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
	uin	195007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>In 2012, the median gross hourly wage for an Apprentice in England was £6.09. The mean was £6.21. In 2011, the equivalent gross hourly wages were £5.83 and £5.80.</p><p> </p><p>For females, in 2011, the median gross hourly wage was £5.96 and the mean £5.88. In 2012, these were £6.19 and £6.23 respectively.</p><p> </p><p>For males, in 2011, the median gross hourly wage was £5.43 and the mean £5.71. In 2012, these were £5.93 and £6.19 respectively.</p><p> </p><p>Please note that the only available data we have for Apprenticeship Pay is for 2012 and 2011, from the two Apprenticeship Pay Surveys (APS). These surveys do not calculate an annual wage from the survey responses as the hours Apprentices work are variable. There was a pay survey conducted in 2007, but this is not considered to be comparable with the two later years.</p><p> </p><p>Source: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-pay-survey-2012" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-pay-survey-2012</a></p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 5033 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

175661

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Oil: Prices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect that the present low price of oil is having on the preservation and development of the oil and gas industry skills base.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	221931
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p>In December 2014, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published in partnership with Oil and Gas UK and OPITO (the Oil and Gas Skills body), “Fuelling the next generation: A study of the UK upstream oil and gas workforce”. This report gives an assessment of the skills base of the oil and gas industry, though the evidence was gathered before the full extent of the current fall in oil prices became apparent.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I am aware that some companies have since declared redundancies. We will continue to work closely with industry through Pilot, the Oil and Gas Industry Council and with the newly formed Scottish Energy Jobs Taskforce to assess the impact of the present low oil price on the preservation and development of the oil and gas industry skills base.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 02/02/2015 14:50:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 41815 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

92118

	registered interest
	date	26/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	British Business Bank
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what service the British Business Bank offers to the manufacturing sector.
	tabling member constituency	Solihull
	tabling member printed	Lorely Burt
	uin	209752
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>In the year to end June 2014, Business Bank programmes facilitated £76.4m of new lending and investment to businesses in the manufacturing sector.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Thirteen percent of the businesses we support through our Enterprise Finance Guarantee are in the manufacturing sector. The programme has already supported 2958 businesses in this sector.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 16/10/2014 14:15:33 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 22160 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1567 label Biography information for Baroness Burt of Solihull

101312

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	New Businesses: Brigg and Goole
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many start-up loans have been granted in Brigg and Goole constituency since that scheme's inception; and how much has been granted through such loans.
	tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
	tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
	uin	212263
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2014 answer text <p>In total more than 21,000 Start Up Loans have been issued to budding entrepreneurs across the country since the scheme launched in June 2012. 23 loans have been issued in Brigg and Goole with a value of £117,800.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 11/11/2014 15:11:55 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 25805 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

223507

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Environment Protection: South West
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage innovation in low carbon technology in the South West of England; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Exeter
	tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
	uin	225384
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2015 answer text <p>Innovation is a key contributor to economic growth and is vital to build future green growth. Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, supports business-led innovation in a range of areas which contribute to a low-carbon future. It has funded £18.5m for Low Carbon Technology projects in the South West of England since 2010.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>All SW Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have recognised the potential from investment in low carbon sectors in their Strategic Economic Plans. There are a number of key projects supporting investment in low carbon included in LEP Growth Deals secured in July 2014 and enhanced in January this year. The ‘Heart of the SW LEP Growth Deal’ includes:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>Projects supporting Hinkley Point C nuclear power station – this major development presents enormous opportunities to local people who can train to work there, and to companies in the supply chain.</li><li>Investment in innovation centres and science parks in Exeter, Plymouth and Bridgwater will help start and grow dynamic businesses in sectors likely to see the biggest growth in the next ten years, areas like environmental futures, marine renewables and nuclear energy.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Local specific projects include:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>· Bridgwater College supporting construction skills for Hinkley - £5m skills capital investment for 15/16.</p><p> </p><p>· Hinkley Point Training Agency – to train local people to take advantage of job opportunities at the new nuclear power station - £6.5m, including £3m in 2015/16.</p><p> </p><p>· Low Carbon Innovation &amp; Collaboration Centre – a new building to support Hinkley supply chain and innovation - £3.9m, including £2m in 2015/16.</p><p> </p><p>· Marine Industries Production Campus at South Yard in Plymouth – part of the Plymouth &amp; Peninsula City Deal project to transfer land from the MoD and establish a marine sector campus with strong emphasis on marine renewables opportunities - £1.5m.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 05/03/2015 15:52:10 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 47364 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

100296

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Tata Steel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Urgent Question on 16 October 2014, Official Report, column 445, on Tata Steel, what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with (a) Tata Steel and (b) trades unions to discuss the selling of the Long Products Division.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	211586
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and officials maintain a regular dialogue with the senior management of Tata Steel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Most recently the Secretary of State had a telephone conversation with Karl Kohler, CEO Tata Steel Europe on 29 September 2014; and met Cyrus Mistry, Chairman Tata Group in India on 14 October 2014. Official level contact is regular and ongoing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We stand ready to engage with the trades unions to discuss and listen to their views on the proposed sale.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 05/11/2014 15:56:55 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 24552 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

77836

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Royal Mail
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assurances were sought from priority investors ahead of the privatisation of Royal Mail on long-term holding of shares by (a) Ministers in his Department (b) Officials in his Department (c) the Financial Adviser to the Government and (d) the banking syndicate working on the privatisation.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	206026
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>No assurances were sought from the priority investors ahead of the sale of shares in Royal Mail.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any mechanism which requires a buyer to give up the rights normally associated with shares, such as a restriction on the right to sell those shares for a period of time, would be reflected in the price investors would be prepared to pay for those shares.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>These investors gave the Government confidence to take forward the IPO which raised nearly £2bn for the tax payer and reduced the risk that the tax payer to support the universal postal service.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 15/10/2014 13:24:04 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11677 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

174654

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Aerial Photography
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make it his policy to replace the Ordnance Survey's aerial photography programme with the licensing of such photographs from other agencies and businesses; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	North East Hampshire
	tabling member printed	Mr James Arbuthnot
	uin	221333
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>Ordnance Survey is an independent, non-ministerial government department with Executive Agency status operating as a Trading Fund under the Ordnance Survey Trading Fund Order 1999. As such, Ordnance Survey has delegated authority the make the decisions necessary to fulfil its Public Task.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>An open procurement process is currently underway for a new contract to fulfil Ordnance Survey’s remote sensing requirements. Ordnance Survey requires ownership of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the aerial imagery for various reasons, including the ability to use the deliverables on an unrestricted basis and the need to be able to deliver changing Crown policy requirements.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 27/01/2015 14:18:37 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 40008 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	56 label Biography information for Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom

173878

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 1 October 2014 to Question 206270, what (a) safeguards and (b) monitoring processes and producers are operated by his Department or the Business Bank in relation to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme; what scrutiny of lenders takes place routinely; and what data his Department collects on the operation of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme by lenders.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	220929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>Participating lenders under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme are subject to a continuous cycle of risk based and thematic independent audits to monitor their compliance with the scheme. Regular communications and meetings take place with lenders to discuss the results of the audits, additional correspondence and EFG related complaints. Oversight is enhanced through analysis by the British Business Bank of the transactional data recorded by the lenders.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 21/01/2015 11:35:01 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 39325 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

114579

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Rolls-Royce
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of job losses at Rolls Royce on the retention of key engineering skills in the Bristol region.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol North West
	tabling member printed	Charlotte Leslie
	uin	213600
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>Rolls-Royce has announced plans to reduce its global headcount to secure its competitiveness in a challenging global market. The company is now in consultation with their workforce representatives about where and how these reductions will be made, although their intention is to achieve these on a voluntary basis</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is not yet clear where jobs will be lost or how many UK employees might be affected. However, we are in regular contact with Rolls-Royce and will be working with them to mitigate the impact on the individuals affected, including any who may be based in the Bristol region. Rolls-Royce will use the Talent Retention Solution which has been jointly developed by Government and industry and which matches skilled engineers with employers looking for talent. This scheme has a successful track record of redeploying engineering talent, most recently with BAE Systems.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 17/11/2014 11:21:08 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 27372 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3933 label Biography information for Charlotte Leslie

177068

	registered interest
	date	02/02/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Glasgow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has taken that benefit micro enterprises in Glasgow South West constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Mr Ian Davidson
	uin	222864
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2015 answer text <p>Small businesses are vital to our economy and our small business owners have driven this economic recovery. The Start-Up Loan Scheme has provided 18 loans, with a value of £44,515, to people starting a business in the Glasgow South West constituency.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are committed to making Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and are doing this in a number of ways:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>£10 billion of financing will be unlocked for smaller business over the next 5 years by our British Business Bank;</li><li>Government grants of up to £3,000 for better internet connectivity are available to small businesses;</li><li>Growth Vouchers to help companies find and pay for professional strategic advice;</li><li>GREATbusiness.gov.uk brings together all Government advice, guidance and support in one place and businesses can speak to or webchat with a helpline adviser direct using the Business Support helpline;</li><li>£2,000 cut from the National Insurance bills of small firms through the Employment Allowance; and</li><li>Businesses with up to fifty employees and start-ups are exempted from new regulations.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 09/02/2015 09:59:24 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 43142 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	611 label Biography information for Mr Ian Davidson

174985

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Economic Situation: North of England
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to increase job creation and economic growth in the north of England.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	221486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>Supporting economic growth in the north of England is vital to the long term success of our economy</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>All LEPs in the North of England have benefitted from investment and devolution of powers, freedoms and flexibilities through Growth Deals and City Deals. In addition the Government recently agreed devolution of further powers with both Sheffield and Manchester.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 27/01/2015 14:16:30 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 41192 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

164313

	registered interest
	date	24/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Iron and Steel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he last met or spoke to representatives of the UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels regarding the traceability and certification of Chinese and Turkish steel products imported to the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
	tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
	uin	215766
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has maintained close contact with the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) who investigated a complaint about CARES from UK Steel about labelling and traceability of imports.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UKAS concluded that CARES responded in an appropriate way to the concerns raised, in line with the expectations and requirements of the accreditation standard. That conclusion has been communicated to UK steel and to the All Party Parliamentary Group on steel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We understand from UKAS that there has been an increase in CARES’ vigilance with increased sampling and checks.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I have also been advised that, as a result of ongoing discussions between CARES and UK Steel, the association supplied samples of imported rebar and CARES testing found it was non-compliant. As a consequence we understand CARES visited the Chinese steel mill and conducted further sampling and testing but found no evidence of stock production being non-compliant.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 17/12/2014 16:25:04 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 30526 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

172119

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	City Link
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support the Government plans to provide to the City Link employees made redundant on 31 December 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	219930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2015 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pension’s rapid response teams will support individuals to find alternative employment. The service is delivered with local skills and employment partners and tailored to an individual’s needs. It includes some or all of the following elements:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>o Information, advice and guidance</p><p> </p><p>o Help with job searches including CV writing, interview skills, where to find jobs and how to apply for them</p><p> </p><p>o Help to identify transferable skills and skills gaps (linked to the local labour market)</p><p> </p><p>o Training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability</p><p> </p><p>o Help to overcome barriers to attending training or securing a job or self-employment such as child care costs, necessary tools, work clothes, travel costs etc.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 12/01/2015 16:14:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 37788 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

170295

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the implications of the practice of companies requiring a supplier company to make a payment in order to join or to remain on that company's list of suppliers on competition in the UK economy.
	tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
	tabling member printed	Greg Mulholland
	uin	218826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2014 answer text <p>The Department is aware that the practice of suppliers having to pay to join or remain on a supplier list is an issue in some sectors. The Government has already taken action to prohibit this practice in certain sectors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are currently consulting to understand the prevalence and impact of this practice economy wide. This will ensure that any action is appropriately targeted and achieves real change on the ground.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 19/12/2014 16:14:15 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 35666 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1540 label Biography information for Greg Mulholland

173151

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Duke of York
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which overseas visits undertaken by HRH The Duke of York since 2011 were carried out partly or wholly on behalf of his Department; which countries were visited and what official events took place during each such visit; and what the cost to the public purse of (a) travel and (b) other expenses was of each such visit.
	tabling member constituency	Lewes
	tabling member printed	Norman Baker
	uin	220482
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>The Duke of York announced that he was relinquishing his role as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in July 2011. Since 1st January 2012, HRH honoured two pre-existing commitments approved by the Royal Visits Committee (see below) through to the end of March 2012 in support of UK Trade &amp; Investment objectives.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Switzerland</strong> (Davos) 26-28 January 2012</p><p> </p><p>During the World Economic Forum at Davos, The Duke of York hosted the UK Reception, which as well as supporting British Business, provided an opportunity to promote the London Olympics 2012 and the Global Investment Conference. His Royal Highness also held a number of bilateral meetings throughout the Forum with Heads of State, Ministers and business leaders.</p><p> </p><p><strong>The cost to UKTI for this visit was £12.9k</strong></p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Thailand</strong> (Creative &amp; Media and Food &amp; Drink) 28 February – 2 March 2012</p><p> </p><p>During his visit to Thailand, The Duke of York called on The King and Queen of Thailand and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindthorn. His Royal Highness met with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Commerce and the Vice Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group Company Limited. His Royal Highness attended a lunch for Thai companies, a dinner for British companies and a dinner with representatives of the &quot;Next Generation&quot; – a group of young thought leaders. The Duke of York visited the British Council's &quot;Everything Forever Now&quot; Exhibition at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre, Sahaviriya Steel Industries plc, Reckitt Benkiser and opened the Tesco Lotus Zero Carbon Store, Bang Pru. His Royal Highness also met with the Royal British Legion at the Embassy</p><p> </p><p><strong>The cost to UKTI for this visit was £8.8k</strong></p><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 20/01/2015 14:34:22 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 38725 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	28 label Biography information for Norman Baker

175654

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Exports: Government Assistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many firms have received financial support under the Export Refinancing Scheme to date; and on what date each such instance of support was received.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	222043
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2015 answer text <p>The Export Refinancing Facility (ERF) does not provide funds directly to firms but a commitment to banks funding loans to overseas buyers of UK exports to take-out that loan if it has not been possible for the bank to refinance it commercially.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 09/02/2015 10:00:33 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 41811 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

77831

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Exports: Government Assistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many bids to the Export Refinancing Facility have been (a) received and (b) approved since its launch; and how many firms have received funds under the scheme to date.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
	uin	206027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2014 answer text <p>The Export Refinancing Facility (ERF) was launched on 30 April 2014 in order to support UK bids for projects that require finance above £50m.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The ERF does not provide funds directly to firms but a commitment to banks funding loans to overseas buyers of UK exports to take-out that loan if it has not been possible for the bank to refinance it commercially.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UK Export Finance officials have held several discussions with exporters, overseas buyers and banks in relation to ERF, with one case currently under discussion.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>It is likely that ERF will be most relevant during periods of constrained liquidity in the banking market. Given current market conditions, export credit transactions are less likely to require ERF in order to take place but the facility remains an important product in UKEF’s portfolio giving it the ability to respond quickly to changes in those market conditions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 10/10/2014 12:28:30 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 11695 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

92119

	registered interest
	date	26/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Business Taskforce's publication Cut EU Red Tape, published in October 2013, what steps have been taken to reduce the barriers to overall competitiveness.
	tabling member constituency	Stone
	tabling member printed	Sir William Cash
	uin	209792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government continues to attach high priority to the reduction of unnecessary EU burdens on business, including barriers to overall competitiveness; starting a company and employing people; expanding a business; trading across borders; and innovation, as set out in the Business Taskforce report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A report will be published later this month, outlining the progress that has been made in delivering the Taskforce recommendations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock grouped question UIN 209793 209794 209795 209796 question first answered 17/10/2014 13:36:19 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 22167 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	288 label Biography information for Sir William Cash

92120

	registered interest
	date	26/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Business Taskforce's publication Cut EU Red Tape, published in October 2013, what steps have been taken to reduce the barriers to starting a company and employing people.
	tabling member constituency	Stone
	tabling member printed	Sir William Cash
	uin	209793
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government continues to attach high priority to the reduction of unnecessary EU burdens on business, including barriers to overall competitiveness; starting a company and employing people; expanding a business; trading across borders; and innovation, as set out in the Business Taskforce report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A report will be published later this month, outlining the progress that has been made in delivering the Taskforce recommendations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock grouped question UIN 209792 209794 209795 209796 question first answered 17/10/2014 13:36:19 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 22169 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	288 label Biography information for Sir William Cash

92121

	registered interest
	date	26/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Business Taskforce's publication Cut EU Red Tape, published in October 2013, what steps have been taken to reduce the barriers to expanding a business and employing people.
	tabling member constituency	Stone
	tabling member printed	Sir William Cash
	uin	209794
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government continues to attach high priority to the reduction of unnecessary EU burdens on business, including barriers to overall competitiveness; starting a company and employing people; expanding a business; trading across borders; and innovation, as set out in the Business Taskforce report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A report will be published later this month, outlining the progress that has been made in delivering the Taskforce recommendations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock grouped question UIN 209792 209793 209795 209796 question first answered 17/10/2014 13:36:19 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 22170 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	288 label Biography information for Sir William Cash

92122

	registered interest
	date	26/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Business Taskforce's publication Cut EU Red Tape, published in October 2013, what steps have been taken to reduce the barriers to trading across borders and employing people.
	tabling member constituency	Stone
	tabling member printed	Sir William Cash
	uin	209795
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government continues to attach high priority to the reduction of unnecessary EU burdens on business, including barriers to overall competitiveness; starting a company and employing people; expanding a business; trading across borders; and innovation, as set out in the Business Taskforce report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A report will be published later this month, outlining the progress that has been made in delivering the Taskforce recommendations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock grouped question UIN 209792 209793 209794 209796 question first answered 17/10/2014 13:36:20 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 22171 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	288 label Biography information for Sir William Cash

92124

	registered interest
	date	26/09/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Business: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Business Taskforce's publication Cut EU Red Tape, published in October 2013, what steps have been taken to reduce the barriers to innovation.
	tabling member constituency	Stone
	tabling member printed	Sir William Cash
	uin	209796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government continues to attach high priority to the reduction of unnecessary EU burdens on business, including barriers to overall competitiveness; starting a company and employing people; expanding a business; trading across borders; and innovation, as set out in the Business Taskforce report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A report will be published later this month, outlining the progress that has been made in delivering the Taskforce recommendations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock grouped question UIN 209792 209793 209794 209795 question first answered 17/10/2014 13:36:20 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock previous answer version 22172 answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	288 label Biography information for Sir William Cash