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 question first ministerially corrected answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1168808

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Middle East and North Africa: Locusts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support his Department is providing to countries in the Middle East and North Africa to (a) counter plagues of locusts and to (b) support populations affected by them.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	262
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>DFID provides approximately £17 million per annum in core funding to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a strategic objective of which is to “increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises” such as locusts. In 2018, UK core funding to the FAO supported the Desert Locust Information System, which provides an early warning information system for countries including in the Middle East and North Africa.</p><p>DFID also funds a range of programmes that work to improve the monitoring of and response to pests more generally. These include the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI) Plantwise and Action on Invasives programmes, the development and testing of biopesticides by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, and new work under development with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen pest and disease surveillance, forecasting and the coordination and capacity of plant health organisations.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 07/01/2020 11:24:57 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1167103

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Social Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of trends in the level of central Government funding for local authorities on the adequacy of children's services provided by local authorities.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7043
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The number of inadequate local authorities has fallen by a third from 30 in April 2017 to 17 at the end of October 2019, as a result of our reforms.</p><p>Local authorities have been given access to over £200 billion in the 5 years since Spending Review 2015. The Spending Round 2019 also confirmed an additional £1 billion grant for adult and children’s social care services in 2020-21 in addition to the continuation of existing social care grants.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 04/11/2019 17:16:12 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1167104

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Protection
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department is providing to improve local authority support for vulnerable children.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>All children should have access to the support they need to keep them safe, provide them with a stable and nurturing home, and overcome challenges to achieve their potential. That is why, at the Spending Round 2019, the government confirmed an additional £1 billion grant for adult and children’s social care in 2020-21 in addition to the continuation of all existing social care grants.</p><p>Local authorities core spending power is expected to rise from £46.2 billion to £49.1 billion in 2020/21, an estimated 4.3% real terms increase.</p><p>We also provide targeted help and support to drive improvement in local authorities. We are investing £20 million in regional sector-led improvement to get ahead of failure. Our strong ‘Partner in Practice’ authorities have already helped over 70 local authorities, getting upstream of the risk of failure, with work underway to broker support for many more. Additionally, we are investing £2 million in improving leadership in children's services with support being delivered through the local government authority. In addition to the £84 million targeted fund, the Autumn Budget made £410 million available to local authorities for adults and children’s social care in 2019/20.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 04/11/2019 17:12:34 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1151606

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Jagtar Singh Johal
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last made representations to his Indian counterpart on the continuing detention of Jagtar Singh Johal.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	3536
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>We regularly make representations on Mr Johal's case to the Government of India. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr Johal's case on 1 August 2019 with the Indian Foreign Minister. On 23 October, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister for South Asia, raised Mr Johal's case with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK. The Minister also met with Mr Johal's family and constituency MP on 24 October.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 28/10/2019 13:13:44 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1151607

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Kashmir: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last made representations to his Indian counterpart on the human rights of the people of (a) Jammu and (b) Kashmir.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	3537
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly, transparently and independently.</p><p>We are monitoring the situation in Kashmir closely and in regular contact with the Governments of India and of Pakistan. The Prime Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Modi about the situation. The Foreign Secretary raised his concerns about the situation with the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Dr Jaishankar. The Minister for the Commonwealth, UN and South Asia discussed the situation in Kashmir with the Indian Minister of Minority Affairs during his visit to New Delhi this month; and engages regularly with the Indian High Commissioner. Senior officials remain in frequent contact with the Indian Government and regularly raise our concerns.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 28/10/2019 17:01:34 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1151608

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India: Pakistan
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 will raise the deteriorating military and security situation on the India Pakistan border at the next meeting of the UN Security Council.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	3538
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2019 answer text <p>The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir bilaterally, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability, but it is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or act as a mediator.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 30/10/2019 10:30:12 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1151613

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Renewable Energy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support his Department provides to developing countries to support off-grid electricity generation from renewable sources.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	3539
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>Off-grid renewable energy is often the best way for millions of people to have access to electricity, especially in rural areas. DFID’s support to off-grid electricity generation is delivered through a range of programmes.</p><p>We provide funding for the installation of off-grid solar power, such as through mini-grid projects in Kenya and Rwanda. We provide technical assistance and are helping to establish markets in a number of African countries for household solar power. For example, a programme using results-based financing is delivering clean energy electricity access to millions, while the Africa Clean Energy programme is supporting a market-based approach for private sector delivery of solar home system products and services.</p><p>We also support private sector off-grid projects through the Green Climate Fund. For example, one project is helping 50 poor, rural communities in Mali to switch from fossil fuel-powered diesel generators and kerosene lamps to green energy by installing solar mini-grids. We also support development finance interventions such as the Private Infrastructure Development Group, the Multilateral Development Banks, and CDC – which has, for example, invested substantial equity in M-KOPA, a pay-as-you-go solar energy company.</p><p>Since 2011, the UK has provided 26 million people with improved access to clean energy and installed 1,600 MW in clean energy capacity.</p><p>The Prime Minister announced at the UN Climate Action Summit funding of up to £1 billion for research, development and deployment of new energy technologies and business models to unlock opportunities in developing countries for cleaner growth and better access to clean energy.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 28/10/2019 16:07:22 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1147757

registered interest
date	02/10/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Electric Vehicles: Batteries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on electric vehicle battery range of (a) low or high temperatures and (b) the use of in-car heating or air conditioning.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	293451
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>Really low and really high temperatures can impact an electric vehicle’s battery range. Currently, the operating temperatures for electric vehicle battery cells are -20°C to +60°C. Vehicle manufacturers compensate for this at pack level through pre-conditioning as well as heating and cooling systems, the drawback being that these draw energy. Applications in aerospace and defence have even more challenging operating temperatures. The Government has committed £274m to the Industrial Strategy’s Faraday Battery Challenge which includes understanding the effects of temperature further. The Challenge is supporting battery R&amp;D from the Faraday Institution’s academic research through Innovate UK’s programme of collaborative R&amp;D and to scale-up in the cutting-edge UK Battery Industrialisation Centre. One of the aims of the Faraday programme is to improve the operating range of battery cells, including to -40°C to +80°C by 2035 therefore enabling better performance and efficiency at higher and lower ambient temperatures.</p><p> </p><p>Thermal loads from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning affect the battery range of electrical vehicles and is most critical for vehicles like refrigerated trucks. The Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s Integrated Delivery Programme is funding R&amp;D projects aiming to maximise the efficiency of the electric powertrain and significantly extend an electric vehicle’s range further.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Norfolk answering member printed George Freeman question first answered 08/10/2019 10:11:12 answering member 4020 label Biography information for George Freeman
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1145756

registered interest
date	25/09/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	City of London Police: Action Fraud
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the management of Action Fraud by the City of London Police.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	290643
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The Government’s Joint Fraud Taskforce (a coalition between government, industry, law enforcement and the third sector) continues to lead an ambitious programme of work to design out and prevent fraud that occurs both online and offline. This includes the<em>Take Five</em> fraud awareness campaign, designed to urge the public and businesses to take time to consider whether a situation they find themselves in is genuine.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Online personal scams are increasingly perpetrated via cyber-enabled methods. To protect victims, the Government set up the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in October 2016. The NCSC is the UK’s technical authority on cyber security and provides a single, central body for cyber security at a national level. The NCSC works very closely with law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community to help prevent, disrupt and investigate cyber-crime and other online cyber related threats. In 2018 the NCSC took down 22,133 phishing campaigns, including 14,124 UK government-related phishing sites, and the total number of takedowns of fraudulent websites was 192,256, across 2018, with 64% of them down in 24 hours.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The City of London Police undertake a national lead force role for the investigation of serious and complex fraud cases. The Home Office remains committed to improving the law enforcement response to fraud. That is why we requested that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) conduct a thematic inspection on fraud, including Action Fraud, and set out measures for improving the response to fraud in our Economic Crime Plan, which was published in July. The City of London Police (as the National Lead Force for fraud) is currently implementing recommendations within HMICFRS’ inspection report, which was published on 2<sup>nd</sup> April.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The scale and complexity of the threat from serious and organised crime means that we need to do more to develop our response. The Government therefore recently announced a formal review to identify the powers, capabilities, governance and funding needed in response to this threat.</ins></p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 08/10/2019 14:49:11 question first ministerially corrected 08/10/2019 16:18:16 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis previous answer version 138602 answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1145757

registered interest
date	25/09/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan: Earthquakes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance the Government is offering to the Government of Pakistan following the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Azad Kashmir.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	290644
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2019 answer text <p>DFID has been liaising closely with the Government of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) since the earthquake struck on 24 September 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Key humanitarian partners, including UN agencies, met with the NDMA to discuss the response to the earthquake on Friday 27 September. The NDMA confirmed that the Government of Pakistan will not launch any formal appeal or request for National or International Assistance, but donors and agencies can provide assistance on a voluntary basis.</p><p> </p><p>DFID stands ready to respond and provide funding and the National Disaster Consortium partners have pre-positioned supplies which can be deployed at short notice.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 03/10/2019 16:18:19 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar