Show Search Form

Search Results

type
answer	answer text

Search

100077

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text We are concerned to hear that a Pakistan court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty in the case of Asia Bibi. We support the EU's recent statement of concern and hope that the verdict will be overturned on appeal. We regularly raise at the highest levels the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and expressed our principled opposition to it in all cases. We will continue to raise these issues.

100173

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), receives regular reports on the political situation in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv and we are in frequent contact with the Ukrainian government. The Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), last discussed the crisis in Ukraine with the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France and Italy on 17 October at the Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan and with EU leaders at the European Council on 23-24 October.

100032

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text Reports from Kobane continue to be deeply concerning. We have not made representations about these specific allegations, but we maintain a close dialogue with Turkey on the evolving crisis in the region. We applaud Turkey’s generosity in hosting over 170,000 refugees that have fled the fighting in Kobane in recent weeks, in addition to the 1.4 million refugees already in Turkey.

100138

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="5"> </td><td colspan="6" rowspan="5"><p>As at 28 October 2014 there were around 155 UK military personnel serving in Gibraltar in Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar, the Royal Naval Gibraltar Squadron, and Windmill Hill Signal Station providing a range of enabling functions. A further 705 Ministry of Defence UK-based and locally employed civilian personnel provide support services to Defence operations, including 95 serving in the Gibraltar Defence Police. Additionally, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment comprises 226 full-time and 166 reserve personnel. The role of these assets collectively is to provide for the security and territorial integrity of Gibraltar and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, and to enable the maintenance of Gibraltar as a forward mounting base for UK military operations. In addition, personnel from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment deploy on UK military operations.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

100103

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>£7.5m was spent by HM Revenue and Customs on the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage in 2013/14.</p><p>We have increased the budget allocation for National Minimum Wage enforcement in 2014/15 to £9.2m. This extra funding will enable HMRC to increase the number of compliance officers working in this area who, as well as continuing to respond to every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline, will also undertake targeted enforcement, focusing on the worst offending employers in the highest-risk sectors.</p><p>Anyone who believes they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage and has not received it should contact this free and confidential helpline on 0800 917 2368.</p>

100130

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Work is under way to ensure the integration of Brimstone 2 on to Typhoon aircraft. On 2 June 2014, BAE Systems was awarded a contract to undertake a risk reduction study in support of a planned Main Gate business decision in early 2015. No decision has yet been taken on those variants to which Brimstone will be fitted.</p>

100094

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Work is the best route out of poverty. Universal Credit allows people who work to keep more of the money that they earn by introducing work allowances, which, in most cases, are more generous than the current system. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that 2.4 million working families will be better off, potentially by £167 per month, as a result of Universal Credit. Furthermore, additional support for childcare costs for families on Universal Credit will see 500,000 working families getting more out of the money they earn.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

100172

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Whilst the UK does not take a position on underlying sovereignty claims to the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, we have a clear interest in maintaining regional peace and stability. We regularly discuss East Asian regional security issues with our international partners.</p>

100106

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>When Defence Equipment and Support (DE&amp;S) became a bespoke trading entity on 1 April 2014 it was given a broad range of freedoms, agreed by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, to allow it to manage its business, outputs and workforce within an operating cost envelope set to drive significant efficiencies. The bidders for the Managed Service Provider work packages are not granted freedoms and flexibilities; they are being procured via standard commercial practices to provide tailored external skills to support DE&amp;S as it uses its freedoms to transform and to deliver the equipment programme.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

100161

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We want farmers to prioritise making the best use of their land for agriculture and food production, rather than secondary uses. Nevertheless, we welcome the work of the BRE in partnership with the solar and biodiversity conservation sectors to encourage best practice where solar farms are permitted, to mitigate some of the impacts of these developments.</p><p> </p>

100175

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We understand that Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has been sentenced to death. It is still possible for him to appeal the decision, and we will not be making representations while the legal process is ongoing.</p><p>The death penalty undermines human dignity and its abolition is a human rights priority for the UK. Ministers, our Ambassador in Riyadh and the Embassy team raise the issue of the death penalty with the Saudi authorities, both bilaterally and through the European Union. We recognise that total abolition of the death penalty is unlikely in Saudi Arabia in the near future. Our focus is therefore on the introduction of EU minimum standards for the death penalty as a first step, and on supporting access to justice and rule of law.</p>

100058

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We remain committed to our goal of ending child poverty by 2020.</p><p>The ‘2014-17 Child Poverty Strategy’, published in June this year, outlines our plans to tackle the root causes of poverty, by:</p><ol><li>Raising the incomes of poor children’s families by helping them get into work and making work pay.</li><li>Supporting the living standards of low-income families.</li><li>Raising educational outcomes of poor children.</li></ol><p>Work remains the best route out of poverty. That is why the Government is introducing Universal Credit which will lift around 300,000 children out of poverty due to increased entitlements. This Government is also focused on breaking the cycle of poor children going on to become poor adults. That is why the Government has introduced policies - such as the pupil premium, worth £2.5 billion in 2014-15, to support poor children to reach their full potential and close the attainment gap between them and their more advantaged peers.</p><p>The Government will publish a response to the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission Report in due course.</p>

100070

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We regularly raise at the highest levels Pakistan’s human rights commitments including the misuse of blasphemy laws both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We are concerned to hear about the case of Asia Bibi and reports that a court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and expressed our principled opposition to it in all cases and we will ensure that we continue to do so.</p>

100951

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We hope to provide stability in funding rates for sixth form colleges and other 16-19 provision in academic year 2015/16. We plan to announce the rates by the end of January 2015.</p>

100151

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We have not made such a calculation.</p><p> </p>

100153

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We have not made an estimate of the overall cost to the consumer in 2014 prices as the CPI index for the full year is not yet available.</p>

100162

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We have not made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Weeds Act 1959 across the UK. Natural England (the delegated authority for investigating complaints about injurious weeds) monitors compliance with the Act through the collection of data such as the number of enforcement notices issued per year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were 37 enforcement notices in 2013. However, we encourage communications between landowners and complainants to try and resolve any issues informally. In the vast majority of cases, this approach is successful.</p><p> </p>

100949

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We have increased the value of teacher training bursaries and scholarships for maths graduates entering teaching.</p><p> </p><p>The School Direct Training Programme enables sixth form colleges to recruit their own trainees and tailor training to meet their specific requirements.</p><p> </p><p>We fund Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses, which offer graduates and career changers with the right background the chance to develop the expertise needed to teach maths.</p>

100168

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We have been monitoring events in Hong Kong closely over recent weeks including, in particular, through regular reports from our posts in Hong Kong and Beijing. We also continue to meet regularly at senior level with both the Chinese authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to discuss the situation. I met Hong Kong Justice Secretary Rimsky Yuen on 14 October. <br><br>We have consistently called on all sides to ensure that the demonstrations are peaceful and in accordance with the law, including in my response to a Westminister Hall Debate on 22 October, in my Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October, and in a Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement on 2 October on the question of constitutional reform. We encourage all parties to engage in dialogue and work towards a consensus that allows a significant step forward for democracy.</p>

100170

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We do not assess that the protests outside the Ukrainian Parliament on 14 October had any effect on the Ukrainian government’s stability. We welcome the recent parliamentary elections as a further step towards building a democratic society in Ukraine. But there is still work to do. The new government, when it is formed, must press ahead with much-needed political, economic and governance reforms.</p>

100101

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We are supporting and encouraging the Metals Sector, through the Metals Forum (an umbrella group of Trade Associations), on the development of a Metals Strategy; this will bring Metals into line with other important Foundation Industries such as Electronics and Chemicals which have already published strategies. This is expected to be published by the Metals Sector next spring.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Steel industry is strong in the UK, having achieved 23% growth in output since 2010[1], and has a sustainable long term future. High technology industries such as aerospace, automotive and construction all require high value, continually improving steel products in order to remain competitive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government works closely with the steel industry on a range of issues related to maintaining an internationally competitive steel sector in the UK. However, the EU State Aid rules limit what direct help can be offered to steel companies - R&amp;D, environmental protection and some training can be supported, but not operational aid.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] Source - Iron &amp; Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB) .</p><p> </p><p> </p>

100950

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We are investing £5 billion over this Parliament to support local authorities in their duty to secure sufficient school places for their area.</p><p> </p><p>This has already enabled local authorities to create 260,000 additional pupil places between May 2010 and May 2013, including 212,000 primary places, with more in the pipeline for September 2015.</p><p> </p>

100196

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We are advised by NHS England that the clinician who authorises Individual Funding Requests for Gamma Knife treatment to be undertaken at the Queens Square Radiology Centre Ltd (QSRC) is a surgeon at the National Hospital for Neurosurgery and Neurology (NHNN), part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Gamma Knife treatment is not undertaken by UCLH but by the private company QSRC, which is based at NHNN but has no formal relationship with UCLH.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p>

100092

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Under the Flexible Working Regulations, brought in on 30 June, all employees with 26 continuous weeks of service have the right to request flexible working from their employer. Individuals on zero hours contracts, who are employees, can request a change in their contracts, which could also include a request to move to a fixed hours contract.</p><p> </p>

100052

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Under section 5 of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 the consent of the commissioners of works needs to be obtained before a public statue can be erected in a public place in the Metropolitan Police District of London. The functions of the commissioners of works are now vested in the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. By virtue of the London Government Act 1963 (as amended by the Greater London Authority Act 1999), the Metropolitan Police District of London is now the area of Greater London (excluding the City of London, and the Inner and Middle Temples). Details of the local authorities in this region can be found at <a href="http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p>

100099

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>UK Trade &amp; Investment (UKTI) staff are providing expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based manufacturing companies growing their business overseas and helping them trade successfully in foreign markets.</p><p>Exports of manufactured goods from the West Midlands region increased by over £4 million between 2012 and 2013.</p><p>UKTI involvement has directly assisted a number of West Midland companies increase exports and overseas sales; leading to bigger workforces, investment in new machinery and expansion of premises. Additionally, UKTI has helped West Midland companies attend international trade shows, raising companies’ profiles and significantly increasing the total business turnover. UKTI also provides overseas sales support enabling West Midlands companies to successfully acquire multi million pound contracts.</p>

100082

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>UK Export Finance’s direct lending facility was launched in 2013-14. It was recently amended to make it more readily accessible, and has recently completed its first deal.</p><p> </p>

100097

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Through Reshore UK, which brings together the expertise of UKTI and MAS, we are backing business every step of the way to bring back jobs and strengthen our manufacturing base. The Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) has made £345 million available to support the repatriation, anchoring and growth of manufacturing supply chains in the UK.</p><p>The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has a specific requirement to support manufacturing supply chain activity. £59.3 million has been allocated over 3 years and more than 17,250 manufacturing firms have already received specialist support from MAS, helping them improve and grow.</p><p>To support commercialisation of technology and innovation, Government has launched the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and 16 new university-based EPSRC Centres for Innovative Manufacturing. Budget 2014 included a further £74 million investment in the Catapult network.</p><p>Government has also created a Skills package that supports businesses in taking on apprentices and provides support for investment in higher level skills: providing an additional £85 million to extend Apprenticeship Grants for Employers Scheme; and £20 million for apprenticeships up to postgraduate level.</p>

100207

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This information is not held centrally.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Early intervention services can help reduce some of the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and prevent some of the secondary disabilities that result.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Responsibility for commissioning these services lies with clinical commissioning groups.</p><p> </p>

100212

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This information is not held centrally. The Independent Police Complaints Commission will write to my hon. Friend and I will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.</p><p> </p>

100139

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to encourage payment of impositions and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been a year on year increase in the amount of financial penalties collected over the last three years.</p><p> </p><p>When it appears to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) that an offender is normally resident in another EU country HMCTS can transfer road traffic offence fines, imposed by courts in this country, to other EU jurisdictions for enforcement under the EU Framework Decision on Mutual Recognition of Financial Penalties (MRFP). The Framework Decision obliges Member States to take over enforcement of eligible fines imposed by other Member States’ courts, where the offender is resident or has assets in the enforcing state. All monies collected however are retained by the enforcing Member State.</p><p> </p><p>Where the offender is resident in a non EU country or in one not included in the MRFP Framework there is no mechanism for HMCTS to be able to recover the amounts outstanding.</p><p> </p><p>It is not possible to identify the value of fines outstanding which relate to motoring offences for offenders who live overseas without incurring disproportionate cost as this information could only be obtained by a manual search of all live fine accounts.</p>

100259

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to encourage payment of impositions and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been a year on year increase in the amount of financial penalties collected over the last three years.</p><p> </p><p>When it appears to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) that an offender is normally resident in another EU country HMCTS can transfer road traffic offence fines, imposed by courts in this country, to other EU jurisdictions for enforcement under the EU Framework Decision on Mutual Recognition of Financial Penalties (MRFP). The Framework Decision obliges Member States to take over enforcement of eligible fines imposed by other Member States’ courts, where the offender is resident or has assets in the enforcing state. All monies collected however are retained by the enforcing Member State.</p><p> </p><p>Where the offender is resident in a non EU country or in one not included in the MRFP Framework there is no mechanism for HMCTS to be able to recover the amounts outstanding.</p><p> </p><p>It is not possible to identify the value of fines outstanding which relate to motoring offences for offenders who live overseas without incurring disproportionate cost as this information could only be obtained by a manual search of all live fine accounts.</p>

100056

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This Government recognises that through physical education, competitive school sport and encouraging healthy eating, schools can help address the problem of childhood obesity. The PE and sports premium is part of a package of measures to tackle obesity in primary schools. Our research found 96% of schools said that their pupils are now living healthier lives as a result of the funding. In addition, the introduction of universal infant free school meals will ensure that all infants receive a nutritious school lunch.</p><p> </p>

100107

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This Government is committed to a competitive tax regime and has introduced a range of measures to reduce the burden of National Insurance Contributions (NICs), as part of our long term economic plan to back business and create jobs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Employment Allowance, introduced in April this year, means that around 450,000 employers– one third of all employers – are expected to be taken out of paying employer NICs altogether in 2014-15 and from April 2015, employer NICs for under 21 year olds will be abolished, helping to support jobs for almost 1.5 million young people currently in employment.</p><p> </p>

100079

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There were 247 unlawful incursions between January and September this year. There were 103 in 2010, 24 in 2011, 229 in 2012 and 496 in 2013, as stated in the reply of 17 June, Official Report, column WA38, given by the former Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Baroness Warsi. The Government cannot readily provide statistics for incursions before 2010 as this could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.</p><p>Incursions are a violation of sovereignty, not a threat to it. They do not change the fact of British sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. The Government challenges and protests all unlawful incursions and these actions effectively defend our sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial waters.</p>

100252

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There is no legal authority obliging airlines to refund air fares, including for those who choose not to fly due to ill health. The Department would advise that people should take out suitable travel insurance to cover for such circumstances.</p>

100108

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There is no definition of a part-time entrepreneur within the Taxes Acts. In general, the tax system treats part-time entrepreneurs in the same way as full-time entrepreneurs, and there are no plans to change this.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

100066

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There are no constraints for support work on the Scout Specialist Vehicle to be completed in the UK. In line with European competition rules, the full support solution will be subject to open competition.</p>

100163

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There are 2 major contracts arranged by the core Department which employ some people who earn less than the Living Wage or London Living Wage. Outside London, 179 people are employed on these contracts and earn less than the Living Wage. In London, 28 people are employed on these contracts and earn less than the London Living Wage, although 4 of those earn more than the national Living Wage.</p><p> </p><p>We do not currently have an accurate cost estimate for ensuring that all these staff are paid the living wage rates for the UK and London.</p><p> </p><p>It would incur disproportionate cost to examine all our smaller contracts.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently 9 temporary staff from employment agencies who are paid less than the UK Living Wage and employed outside London, and none in London paid less than the London Living Wage. These numbers can change at any time.</p>

100164

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There are 2 major contracts arranged by the core Department which employ some people who earn less than the Living Wage or London Living Wage. Outside London, 179 people are employed on these contracts and earn less than the Living Wage. In London, 28 people are employed on these contracts and earn less than the London Living Wage, although 4 of those earn more than the national Living Wage.</p><p> </p><p>We do not currently have an accurate cost estimate for ensuring that all these staff are paid the living wage rates for the UK and London.</p><p> </p><p>It would incur disproportionate cost to examine all our smaller contracts.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently 9 temporary staff from employment agencies who are paid less than the UK Living Wage and employed outside London, and none in London paid less than the London Living Wage. These numbers can change at any time.</p>

100033

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The work of this organisation, and its emphasis on the importance of reconciliation to achieve peace, appears laudable.</p><p>While Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have met with their partner organisation (the Friends of Bereaved Families Forum), we do not provide financial support to either of the groups.</p>

101516

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The talks commenced in Belfast on 16 October and I am pleased that all five Executive parties have engaged in the process.</p><p>I believe that it is essential that they give this process the highest priority and show determination in their efforts to reach an agreement on these crucial matters.</p><p> </p>

100083

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The table below shows the proportion, expressed as a percentage, of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the total number of exporters UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported broken down by UKEF product for the last five financial full years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2009/10</p></td><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>2013/14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Buyer Credit</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>11%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bond Support Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>67%</p></td><td><p>78%</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Insurance Policy</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td><td><p>63%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Working Capital Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>83%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Letter of Credit Guarantee Scheme</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Supplier Credit Facility</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Products launched in 2011/12</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>SMEs are defined by the EU as companies that have fewer than 250 employees, and either a turnover of less than €50m or a balance sheet total of less than €43m.</p><p> </p><p>Information on UKEFs Bond Support Scheme has been included given that it was introduced specifically to support to smaller exporters, especially SMEs.</p><p> </p>

100084

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The table below shows the proportion, expressed as a percentage, of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the total number of exporters UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported broken down by UKEF product for the last five financial full years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2009/10</p></td><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>2013/14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Buyer Credit</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>11%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bond Support Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>67%</p></td><td><p>78%</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Insurance Policy</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td><td><p>63%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Working Capital Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>83%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Letter of Credit Guarantee Scheme</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Supplier Credit Facility</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Products launched in 2011/12</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>SMEs are defined by the EU as companies that have fewer than 250 employees, and either a turnover of less than €50m or a balance sheet total of less than €43m.</p><p> </p><p>Information on UKEFs Bond Support Scheme has been included given that it was introduced specifically to support to smaller exporters, especially SMEs.</p><p> </p>

100085

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The table below shows the proportion, expressed as a percentage, of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the total number of exporters UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported broken down by UKEF product for the last five financial full years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2009/10</p></td><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>2013/14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Buyer Credit</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>11%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bond Support Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>67%</p></td><td><p>78%</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Insurance Policy</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td><td><p>63%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Working Capital Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>83%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Letter of Credit Guarantee Scheme</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Supplier Credit Facility</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Products launched in 2011/12</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>SMEs are defined by the EU as companies that have fewer than 250 employees, and either a turnover of less than €50m or a balance sheet total of less than €43m.</p><p> </p><p>Information on UKEFs Bond Support Scheme has been included given that it was introduced specifically to support to smaller exporters, especially SMEs.</p><p> </p>

100086

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The table below shows the proportion, expressed as a percentage, of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the total number of exporters UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported broken down by UKEF product for the last five financial full years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2009/10</p></td><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>2013/14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Buyer Credit</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>11%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bond Support Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>67%</p></td><td><p>78%</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Insurance Policy</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td><td><p>63%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Working Capital Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>83%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Letter of Credit Guarantee Scheme</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Supplier Credit Facility</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Products launched in 2011/12</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>SMEs are defined by the EU as companies that have fewer than 250 employees, and either a turnover of less than €50m or a balance sheet total of less than €43m.</p><p> </p><p>Information on UKEFs Bond Support Scheme has been included given that it was introduced specifically to support to smaller exporters, especially SMEs.</p><p> </p>

100087

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The table below shows the proportion, expressed as a percentage, of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the total number of exporters UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported broken down by UKEF product for the last five financial full years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2009/10</p></td><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>2013/14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Buyer Credit</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>11%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bond Support Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>67%</p></td><td><p>78%</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Insurance Policy</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>75%</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td><td><p>63%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Export Working Capital Scheme*</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>-</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>83%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Letter of Credit Guarantee Scheme</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Supplier Credit Facility</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td><td><p>50%</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>0%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Products launched in 2011/12</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>SMEs are defined by the EU as companies that have fewer than 250 employees, and either a turnover of less than €50m or a balance sheet total of less than €43m.</p><p> </p><p>Information on UKEFs Bond Support Scheme has been included given that it was introduced specifically to support to smaller exporters, especially SMEs.</p><p> </p>

100235

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The stalking offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, sections 2A (stalking) and 4A (stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress), have been available from 25 November 2012. The two stalking offences provide further options for prosecutors when considering charges relating to harassing behaviour. The section 2A offence has a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine, and the section 4A offence has a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>A court dealing with a person convicted of any offence, including those under sections 2, 2A, 4 or 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, may make a restraining order prohibiting the defendant from doing anything described in the order. This order can be made in addition to a custodial sentence or other sentence. The order can be especially useful in preventing continued stalking and harassment by defendants, including those who are given sentences of imprisonment. Breach of a restraining order has a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>Sentencing in individual cases is entirely a matter for our independent courts, taking account of all the circumstances of each case.</p><p> </p><p>The number of restraining orders issued at all courts and those found guilty of breach of a restraining order under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997 in England and Wales from 2011 to 2013 (latest available) can be viewed in table 1.</p><p> </p><p>The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' court, found guilty and sentenced at all courts, with sentencing breakdown, for selected offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, in England &amp; Wales, from 2012 to 2013, can be viewed in table 2. The Ministry of Justice does not hold figures on cases not yet dealt with.</p><p> </p>

100237

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The stalking offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, sections 2A (stalking) and 4A (stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress), have been available from 25 November 2012. The two stalking offences provide further options for prosecutors when considering charges relating to harassing behaviour. The section 2A offence has a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine, and the section 4A offence has a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>A court dealing with a person convicted of any offence, including those under sections 2, 2A, 4 or 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, may make a restraining order prohibiting the defendant from doing anything described in the order. This order can be made in addition to a custodial sentence or other sentence. The order can be especially useful in preventing continued stalking and harassment by defendants, including those who are given sentences of imprisonment. Breach of a restraining order has a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>Sentencing in individual cases is entirely a matter for our independent courts, taking account of all the circumstances of each case.</p><p> </p><p>The number of restraining orders issued at all courts and those found guilty of breach of a restraining order under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997 in England and Wales from 2011 to 2013 (latest available) can be viewed in table 1.</p><p> </p><p>The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' court, found guilty and sentenced at all courts, with sentencing breakdown, for selected offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, in England &amp; Wales, from 2012 to 2013, can be viewed in table 2. The Ministry of Justice does not hold figures on cases not yet dealt with.</p><p> </p>

100257

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The review of the Government Car Service is part of the Government’s &quot;Ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) readiness project&quot;, through which central department fleets are being reviewed to see where ULEVs could be run cost effectively, and funding provided to introduce ULEVs into these fleets. We expect to announce the results of this project, including how many vehicles will be introduced into each fleet, following completion of all reviews.</p>