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832895

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Israel: Palestinians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Palestinian Authority to encourage that body to accept the Israeli invitation to return to direct peace negotiations without preconditions.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125211
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>​The UK continues to press both the Israelis and Palestinians to engage in direct negotiations that will lead to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. The Foreign Secretary and I reiterated our support for a negotiated two-state solution when we met Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki in London on 8 January. I also encouraged the Palestinians to re-engage in peace negotiations when I spoke to Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki on 21 January.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/02/2018 13:06:27 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832899

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to cooperate with the United States and Canada on tackling transatlantic drug crime.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125215
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>The UK enjoys close and longstanding cooperation with the USA and Canada in tackling transatlantic drug crime. Joint work involves regular and timely exchange of operational intelligence, enabling the disruption of drug trafficking via air and sea routes across the Atlantic.</p> answering member constituency Wyre and Preston North answering member printed Mr Ben Wallace question first answered 06/02/2018 15:57:30 answering member 1539 label Biography information for Mr Ben Wallace
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832900

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Internet
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to prevent the sale of illegal drugs online.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125216
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2018 answer text <p>We want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online. Anything that is illegal offline should be illegal online.</p><p>The Government and law enforcement agencies take the unlawful advertising and sales of drugs on the internet very seriously. Tough enforcement is a fundamental part of the Government’s drug strategy and we are taking coordinated action to tackle illegal drugs alongside other criminal activity.</p><p>Law enforcement agencies continue to work with internet providers to shut down UK-based websites found to be committing offences, building on work already underway to tackle the sale and supply of illegal drugs in the UK and overseas and tackle associated organised crime.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 05/02/2018 16:15:16 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832901

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Taxation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefits arising from the proposals on transferable tax history in the oil and gas sector set out in Autumn Budget 2017.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125217
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>At the Autumn Budget, the government announced it would introduce a Transferable Tax History for oil &amp; gas companies. This will give investors in UK oil and gas fields certainty that they will be able to get tax relief for decommissioning assets. This should encourage new investment in older oil and gas fields, keeping them producing for longer and supporting employment.</p><p> </p><p>The main industry body, Oil and Gas UK, in response to the Budget announcement have said that a Transferable Tax History would be <em>‘a vital step that can bring in new investment to increase recovery from existing fields and fund fresh investment which is key to generating activity for our hard-pressed supply chain. It will also help extend the lives of many mature fields and postpone decommissioning.’</em></p><p> </p><p>This builds on the £2.3bn of fiscal support the government has already provided to the UK oil and gas industry, including a package of tax cuts across Budget 2015 and 2016, £40m of funding for seismic surveys to support exploration, and the introduction of a new Investment Allowance. As a result, the UK now has one of the most competitive tax regimes in the world for oil and gas, further supporting investment and jobs.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 06/02/2018 16:43:40 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832902

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Offensive Weapons: Internet
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to prevent the illegal sale of knives and other offensive weapons online.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125218
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2018 answer text <p>The Government continues to work with the police and partners, including retailers to ensure we have strong controls in place to prevent sales of knives to under 18s. In March 2016 we agreed a set of commitments with major retailers including Amazon UK and Ebay UK to prevent the underage sales of knives more generally in their stores and online. The commitments include a requirement to have robust measures in place to ensure age verification for sales, in-store and online.</p><p>In addition, on 14 October 2017, the Government launched a consultation on new laws on offensive weapons which included proposals to restrict the online sales of knives to further prevent sales to under 18s. The consultation was closed on 9 December and we are now considering the responses.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 05/02/2018 16:22:42 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832903

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
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	Personal Independence Payment: Aberdeen South
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people had personal independence payment decisions overturned because of (a) mandatory reconsideration and (b) an appeal hearing in Aberdeen South constituency in each year since April 2013.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125219
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2018 answer text <p>The table below shows the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decisions and the number and proportion of mandatory reconsideration decisions and appeal decisions where the award was changed, by financial year of the initial PIP decision since the introduction of PIP in the Parliamentary Constituency of Aberdeen South.</p><p><em>Number of PIP decisions, and number and proportion of mandatory reconsiderations decisions and appeal decisions where the award changed, by financial year of initial PIP decision.</em></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial year of initial PIP decision</p></td><td><p>Number of PIP decisions</p></td><td><p>Number of awards changed at MR</p></td><td><p>Proportion of PIP decisions changed at MR</p></td><td><p>Number of awards changed at appeal</p></td><td><p>Proportion of PIP decisions where award changed at appeal</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>#</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/ 15</p></td><td><p>560</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>1%</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>#</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/ 16</p></td><td><p>680</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>2%</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/ 17</p></td><td><p>1,030</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>5%</p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017/18 (April 17 to Oct 17)</p></td><td><p>580</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>5%</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>2%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>2,950</p></td><td><p>110</p></td><td><p>4%</p></td><td><p>90</p></td><td><p>3%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Data has been rounded to the nearest 10 and nearest percent.</p><p>‘#’ means fewer than 5 in this category.</p><p>There will be some degree of retrospection in these figures over time due to changes in individual case outcomes, particularly with appeals. It is expected that there will be lower numbers of completed appeals in recent months due to the time lag in appeal completion.</p><p>Latest available data to October 2017</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 05/02/2018 14:01:27 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832904

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: International Assistance
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 meetings he has had with the Government of Oman on the provision of humanitarian assistance to Yemen.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125220
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>​Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a key priority for the UK and we continue to raise the issue in regular conversations with our regional and international partners. The Foreign Secretary regularly discusses regional issue with the Government of Oman, most recently on 24 January during his visit to Oman.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/02/2018 17:47:24 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832905

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
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 Defence, what plans his Department has to support commemorations of the First World War during 2018; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125221
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>The Government and the nation will never forget the service and sacrifice of those who served during the First World War. It is our duty to remember and honour the fallen.</p><p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contributed significantly to the Government's four-year First World War commemorative programme, both at home and abroad, and continues to do so; the programme is led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This is in addition to single Service initiatives delivered at, for instance, Regimental (or equivalent) level.</p><p>In 2018 the MOD will further support the Government's programme at a commemorative event to mark the appointment of Marshal Foch as Supreme Allied Commander on the Western Front, a service to mark the Battle of Amiens, and at a number of events throughout the UK to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice, including the traditional London-based Cenotaph Service.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 06/02/2018 16:00:08 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832906

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Seas and Oceans: Environment Protection
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to raise awareness of the Blue Belt programme during the International Year of the Reef.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125222
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2018 answer text <p>The Blue Belt Programme supports the delivery of the UK Government’s manifesto commitment to provide long-term protection to the waters around the UK and its Overseas Territories. We are currently on course to deliver over four million square kilometres of marine protection by 2020.</p><p> </p><p>As the waters around the UK Overseas Territories hold substantial tropical reefs, the UK Government has re-engaged with the International Coral Reef Initiative as a founding member. This re-engagement has been welcomed by all parties. In addition, the UK Government has highlighted the importance of coral reefs in its 25 Year Environmental Plan where its ambition is to champion and support coral reef conservation and biodiversity in the UK and its Overseas Territories.</p><p> </p><p>This year is the Third International Year of the Reef. We are seeking ways to promote the importance of coral reef conservation, together with the Blue Belt programme, through the course of the year as well as during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 01/02/2018 14:20:12 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

832907

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Resignations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to provide further education for armed forces personnel on leaving the services.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	125223
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2018 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence promotes lifelong learning for members of the Armed Forces. Eligible personnel can access two schemes which help individuals pursue their personal development through further and higher education, both during their Service and up to five years after discharge, subject to the qualifying criteria being met.</p><p> </p><p>The Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme provides financial support towards the cost of higher-level learning and is funded by the single Services. ELC takes the form of a single up-front payment of up to £3,000 in each of a maximum of three Financial Years. Funding is available for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England, Northern Ireland and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), or an approved international equivalent qualification with an approved learning provider if pursued overseas.</p><p> </p><p>Eligibility for ELC funding depends on length of service and date of enlistment, as set out in Joint Service Publication 822 ‘Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education’ (Part 1, Section 6.5, Paragraph 3). A copy of JSP 822 can be found at the following address: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills</a></p><p> </p><p>In addition to the ELC scheme, Service leavers and Service personnel in their qualifying resettlement phase may use their enrolled ELC entitlement to access the Further Education and Higher Education Scheme (FE-HE). This can fund a first full Level 3 (GCE A level or Vocational Equivalent), or a first Higher Education qualification (such as a Foundation Degree or First Undergraduate Degree), with the tuition fees capped at £9,000. The scheme is comprised of the Defence contributions to the Armed Forces ELC scheme, supplemented by resources made available by partner Government Departments and Devolved Administrations. Full details of eligibility for FE-HE are set out in JSP 822 Part 1, Section 6.6, Paragraph 6.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 05/02/2018 17:36:31 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson