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172743

registered interest
date	08/01/2015
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Postal Services: Harrow
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect on mail volumes to the universal service provider in the HA postcode area of London of end-to-end competition; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	220228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator for postal services, the powers and tools it needs to assess the effects of competition on the provision of the universal service and to take appropriate action if the universal service is ever found to be at risk from competition.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ofcom has an effective monitoring regime in place, which includes a notification condition requiring end-to-end competitors to inform them of plans relating to delivery volumes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ofcom recently reviewed and assessed all the evidence on competition in the postal market and concluded that the universal postal service is not under any current threat from the effects of competition. It will however continue to track Royal Mail’s performance and ongoing developments in the market. More information about Ofcom’s regulatory regime can be found on its website (<a href="http://www.ofcom.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.ofcom.org.uk</a>).</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 13/01/2015 13:21:15 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171920

registered interest
date	05/01/2015
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much has been paid under the New Homes Bonus grant scheme in each region in each year since 2013; and what estimate he has made of the amount likely to be so paid in each year to 2018; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219736
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to my Written Ministerial Statement of 16 December 2014, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 79WS. We have not published any estimates to 2018.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The New Homes Bonus operates at a local authority level, and we do not publish statistics based on the former government office regions. We have abolished regional government and regional planning.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 13/01/2015 14:29:23 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis previous answer version 37598 answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171922

registered interest
date	05/01/2015
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Affordable Housing: Greater London
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much funding has been allocated for the building of affordable housing in London in each year from May 2010 to May 2019; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219687
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2015 answer text <p>Government funding for affordable housing in London is as follows:</p><p> </p><p>2010-11: £1.1 billion (outturn), 2011-12: £712 million (outturn), 2012-13: £400 million (budget), 2013-14: £392 million (budget); 2014-15: £516 million (budget).</p><p> </p><p>However, this understates the total expenditure on affordable housing in this Parliament. Across England, our affordable housing programme in 2011-15 is delivering £19.5 billion of public and private investment in affordable housing; a quarter of the housing is being provided in London.</p><p> </p><p>Total expenditure on housing in the next Parliament will be a matter for the next Spending Review. In that context, I cannot give a precise figure for how much funding will be allocated from 2016-17 onwards: spending from 2016 to 2019 will ultimately be a matter for the next Parliament.</p><p> </p><p>We have put in train an affordable housing programme for London with £1.27 billion of government funding across 2015-18. We have intentionally front-loaded this programme, resulting in an indicative profile of funding of 2015-16: £745 million, 2016-17: £356 million, 2017-18: £169 million. Again, the grant funding understates the total anticipated expenditure on affordable housing. We project that we can deliver a total of 275,000 new affordable homes across England in 2015-20, levering in £38 billion of public and private investment. London’s allocation has not been finalised, but again, it will be a sizeable proportion to reflect its population share.</p><p> </p><p>On 20 February 2015, the Government announced a package of proposals to boost housing and regeneration in London. There will no doubt be further announcements relating to housing investment in London in due course for the years ahead, which this answer by definition cannot illustrate at this point in time.</p><p> </p><p>Following the Localism Act, since April 2012, the Mayor of London has had oversight of strategic housing, regeneration and economic development in London, and therefore, this will also be influenced by the local policies taken forward by the Mayor.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 04/03/2015 16:18:35 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis previous answer version 37596 answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171923

registered interest
date	05/01/2015
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Greater London
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, for how many units of housing planning permission has been granted on sites in London classed as on hold or shelved; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219688
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2015 answer text <p>In my answer of 30 October 2014, Question UIN 207630, I noted how this Government had taken a series of steps to get stalled sites building, steadily reducing the number of permissions which were “on hold/shelved” across England from 90,331 in September 2011 to 48,000 in September 2014. These figures demolished the myth propagated by HM Opposition that there are 400,000 homes with planning permission not being built because of ‘land banking’.</p><p> </p><p>As of December 2014, estimates by Glenigan indicate that this figure has fallen further to 45,000 across England (of which, 10,000 are in London). This is at a time when the number of planning permissions has steadily risen, with 240,000 homes in England receiving planning permission in the last 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s long-term economic plan is working and turning around the mess and recession left by the last Labour Government. Moth-balled sites are springing into action; more homes are being planned; and more homes are being built out. Of course, there is more to do, and the initiatives in my earlier answer outline what we are doing.</p><p> </p><p>I would add that the policy solutions now being advocated by HM Opposition would actually have an adverse effect in reducing house building. If developers fear new development taxes or state confiscation of land, they will be less willing to undertake complex land assembly projects; they will let their existing planning permissions lapse; and they will simply be more cautious in applying for planning permission in the first place. The result would be a slower planning system and fewer new homes.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 23/01/2015 13:55:07 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis previous answer version 37597 answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171553

registered interest
date	18/12/2014
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	BBC
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has received any representations asking him to intervene in the BBC's decision to broadcast the short story, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219552
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text The Secretary of State has not received any representations asking him to intervene in the BBC's decision to broadcast the short story, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher. The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of Government and there is no provision for the Government to intervene in the corporation’s day-to-day operations. answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed Mr Edward Vaizey question first answered 06/01/2015 11:40:48 answering member 1580 label Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171615

registered interest
date	18/12/2014
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	Iraq
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 progress of efforts to form an inclusive government in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219554
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text A new Iraqi government under Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was approved by the Iraqi parliament on 8 September. Prime Minister Abadi committed to creating an inclusive government, including representatives of Iraq’s diverse communities. This process was completed on 18 October when the Iraqi parliament approved the appointments of a new Defence Minister (one of several Sunni Ministers), an Interior Minister, and swore in six Kurdish Ministers. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 06/01/2015 12:14:05 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171616

registered interest
date	18/12/2014
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	Syria
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the initiative to host a conference in Moscow of representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition for talks to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK continues to believe that a negotiated political transition in Syria is the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis. The UN is best placed to facilitate any talks between the regime and the opposition designed to help bring about a political settlement. The UK supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to reduce the bloodshed and encourage political progress. We regularly discuss Syria with Russian counterparts, including how we can work to bring about a political resolution of the conflict, and will continue to do so.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 06/01/2015 12:15:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

170689

registered interest
date	16/12/2014
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	Iraq
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what priority he and other Ministers in his Department are giving during discussions on the UK's military involvement in Iraq to ensuring that the Iraqi government holds talks with Sunni tribes; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219061
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We welcome the commitments that Prime Minister Abadi has made to inclusive governance and ensuring that the interests of all communities in Iraq are properly represented in the political process and in the fight against ISIL. <br><br>The Iraqi government’s constructive engagement with the Sunni community, who continue to suffer at the hands of ISIL’s brutality, to bring them back into the political fold will be critical if ISIL is to be defeated in Iraq. The Government has raised this issue with Prime Minister Abadi on a number of occasions, including during my visit to Baghdad in October when I welcomed the progress that has been made so far, including steps to reform the Iraqi Security Forces. The UK will continue to support Prime Minister Abadi’s efforts to advance the national reconciliation process.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 05/01/2015 13:26:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

170695

registered interest
date	16/12/2014
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	Democratic Republic of Congo
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo on possible closures of camps for internally displaced peoples around Goma by the end of 2014; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	218912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We recognise the right of the Government to close the camps in North Kivu. However, any camp closures just be done in a way that reflects the Government’s obligations under the Kampala Convention – this includes the respect of humanitarian principles and the rights and dignity of the internally displaced people affected, including the right for voluntary return.</p><p>The UK has been working closely with the wider humanitarian community to support an ongoing dialogue with the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo on this issue. We hope that this constructive dialogue can be maintained to find appropriate, and durable, long term solutions for those currently located in camps around Goma and across North Kivu.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 218914 question first answered 05/01/2015 16:47:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

170696

registered interest
date	16/12/2014
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	Democratic Republic of Congo
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the situation in North Kivu; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	218913
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>The situation on the ground for the civilian population in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains difficult and, at times, dangerous. As set out in the FCO’s statement of 27 November https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/the-uk-condemns-the-attacks-on-the-civilian-population-of-beni-in-drc the UK condemns the recent attacks on the civilian population of Beni territory that have left almost 200 dead since mid-October. The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) must intensify their efforts to protect the civilian population and neutralise all illegal armed groups in eastern Congo in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2147.</p><p>The political process is key to stabilising eastern DRC in the longer term, and we call on all stakeholders of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the DRC and region to implement their commitments in full. I recently wrote to Foreign Minister Tshibanda to welcome the DRC’s new government of national cohesion and to reiterate the UK’s support for efforts to bring sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the DRC.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 05/01/2015 10:52:38 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas