Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

147447

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Credit Unions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to encourage saving through credit unions as a means of preventing poverty and payday loans.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214140
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is supportive of credit unions and has taken a number of steps to assist them, most recently including:</p><p> </p><ul><li><p>Investing up to £38 million in an expansion project for credit unions, aimed at helping credit unions expand and grow sustainably</p></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Issuing a Call for Evidence on credit unions, to which the Government will respond shortly.</li><li>Removing unnecessary restrictions on credit unions via the Legislative Reform Order that came into effect in January 2012.</li><li>These measures will help increase the capability of the credit union sector allowing it to become a viable option for financial services provision for an even wider range of consumers.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is concerned about consumer detriment in the payday market and believes the FCA’s new, more robust regulatory system will help to improve protections for consumers who still choose to use pay day lenders.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 20/11/2014 17:49:06 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147464

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Department for Culture Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	World War I: Anniversaries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to disseminate information on the Royal British Legion Every Man Remembered database and encourage further commemorate projects.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214142
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government fully supports the Royal British Legion’s Every Man Remembered website project. This project encourages those alive today to remember all the men and women who lost their lives in the First World War, using data provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.</p><p> </p><p>The Legion is effectively disseminating such information through its local branches and associated publicity campaigns, alongside encouraging schools and other community groups to help remember the remaining 977,172 servicemen who have yet to be commemorated. I am pleased to note that DCMS has offered assistance with the Legion’s communication strategy.</p> answering member constituency Maidstone and The Weald answering member printed Mrs Helen Grant question first answered 18/11/2014 14:01:49 answering member 4018 label Biography information for Mrs Helen Grant
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147489

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
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	Research: 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 steps he is taking to maximise drawdown of European research and innovation-related grants and other forms of investment for academic institutions.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214161
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>Our academic institutions had a strong track record in attracting European research grants under the previous Framework Programme 7 (FP7), taking 25% of the higher education pot. The Government is keen to maintain this leadership with the FP7 successor, Horizon 2020. In partnership with Innovate UK and Local Enterprise Partnerships, we will work with our Higher Education Institutions and their representative bodies to ensure that they are aware of the opportunities and that they are supported through the processes. Horizon 2020 is much larger than FP7, with an allocation of €89bn over its seven years (compared to €53bn in FP7), and the widening of its scope to cover innovation is a good fit with UK policies for a knowledge economy.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 17/11/2014 11:14:31 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147517

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Boko Haram
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure the safety of UK delegations in regions where Boko Haram poses a threat.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214132
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2014 answer text <p>While most British visitors encounter no problems when visiting Nigeria and Cameroon, Boko Haram has conducted attacks in both countries. FCO travel advice for both countries provides information and advice to help all travellers make better informed decisions. This is reviewed on a regular basis and includes information and advice about the terrorist threat. <br>For those parts of Nigeria and Cameroon where we judge that the level of risk to British nationals is unacceptably high, we advise against all or all but essential travel. These areas are shown clearly on the maps that accompany the travel advice on the GOV.UK website.</p><p>We encourage all British nationals planning travel to, or living in, Nigeria and Cameroon to consult our travel advice regularly.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 19/11/2014 14:19:02 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147522

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the (a) promotion of the fundamental freedom of the press and (b) systematic use of detention and surveillance in Iran.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2014 answer text Iran has an appalling record when it comes to freedom of expression, and has more journalists in prison than almost any other country. The majority of newspapers in Iran are now government controlled, and journalists and bloggers are routinely monitored, harassed, and detained. We urge Iran to allow freedom of expression, and respect the rights of all its citizens in line with its international obligations. We most recently raised our concerns around freedom of expression during Iran’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council on 31 October. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 19/11/2014 14:33:28 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147527

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Central African Republic
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the situation in the Central African Republic.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214112
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2014 answer text <p>We remain extremely concerned by the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). High levels of violence continue across the country, and huge numbers of the population have been displaced. The UN estimates that the whole population has been affected by this conflict in some way and that over 2.5 million people (more than half of the population) are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, including protection, food, health, water and sanitation and shelter.</p><p>Our immediate focus is on working with the international community to protect civilians from violence and providing humanitarian support. The UK’s support has included £23m humanitarian aid to CAR; logistical support to the French and EUFOR missions; and financial support to MISCA. Diane Corner, former British Ambassador to Kinshasa became the UN Secretary General’s Deputy Special Representative to CAR in September.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 19/11/2014 14:20:12 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147562

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Hepatitis: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions officials in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on hepatitis E contracted through donated blood.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214096
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2014 answer text <p>The United Kingdom health departments have jointly asked the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) to review the evidence base and provide advice on potential hepatitis E transmission through blood, cells, tissues and organs. SaBTO’s review is expected to be completed by summer 2015.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Battersea answering member printed Jane Ellison question first answered 20/11/2014 17:16:52 answering member 3918 label Biography information for Jane Ellison
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

147665

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the additional costs incurred by people with disabilities in the UK for (a) extra transport and (b) general living costs.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	214141
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>No recent estimate has been made of the additional costs incurred by people with disabilities. Previous research has demonstrated that developing a robust estimate of the extra costs of disability is not straightforward. There are a number of proposed methods for estimating extra costs, which produce different results dependant on a range of factors, including the severity and type of impairment, income and geographic location.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 20/11/2014 15:43:20 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

114569

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	Young People: Training
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 take steps to ensure that EU and UK funding programmes aimed at increasing young people's skills prioritise interpersonal skills known to be highly valued by employers.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	213502
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>Our mainstream vocational education programmes in England are designed to equip people with the wide range of vocational and generic skills that employers need:</p><p> </p><p>• Employers are in the driving seat of new apprenticeships – by designing frameworks and standards so that they contain the elements, and young people are equipped with the skills, that employers need.</p><p> </p><p>• Work experience and employability skills are key elements of traineeships which are designed for those who are motivated to work but lack the necessary skills, behaviours and experience.</p><p> </p><p>• Projects under the Employer Ownership Pilot cover a wide range of training provision led by employers. Many of these training areas will cover interpersonal skills as it is ultimately for employers to decide which areas of training they value and are of most importance.</p><p> </p><p>• Ofsted inspection of vocational education provision includes consideration of employability skills.</p><p> </p><p>One of the main priorities of the new European Social Fund (ESF) programme for 2014-2020 is to develop the skills of the potential and existing workforce, with special emphasis on helping young people. There will be particular focus on reducing the relatively high proportion of people with low levels of qualifications/skills and developing those skills, including interpersonal skills which have been identified by employers as meeting their needs.</p><p> </p><p>Young people are being given better support to get ready for employment through the Department for Education’s 16-19 Study Programmes. These focus on exactly the areas that employers say matter, such as employability skills and work experience, and under which schools and colleges could chose to prioritise activity which relates to inter-personal skills.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 17/11/2014 11:53:30 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

114570

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	Service Industries
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 plans to take to support further growth in the services sector; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that EU regulations do not negatively affect support to businesses in that sector.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	213505
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2014 answer text <p>The UK is the second largest exporter of services globally, with services exports valued at £193bn in 2012, accounting for 40% of overall UK exports. The Government is taking steps to strengthen exports of the service sector through: trade negotiations; UK Trade and Investment business support for service exporters; and through the current Industrial Strategy, incorporating eleven sector strategies, including for the highly regarded Professional and Business Services sector. The UK Government is a strong supporter of the Trade in Services Agreement negotiation which could be worth £2-3bn to the UK as the EU’s most externally competitive services economy. The UK is also working closely with other EU countries to ensure that the new European Commission prioritises deepening of the single market in services through the removal of remaining barriers to trade. We will also work closely with the new Commission and other institutions to emphasise the priority the UK attaches to the reduction of unnecessary EU burdens on business across a range of sectors, to support growth and job creation.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 11/11/2014 15:43:04 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn