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1141971

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2019
	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: Pollution Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps he is taking to tackle marine pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	912200
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2019 answer text <p>Our Resources and Waste Strategy sets out actions we are taking, including a ban on the sale and/or supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds by April 2020. We are leading global efforts through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, which we support with a package worth up to £70m. We also work with the International Maritime Organisation to tackle litter from ships and are helping shape a new international action plan on shipping litter.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/07/2019 15:55:53 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1134102

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Prime Minister
	answering dept id	23
	answering dept short name	Prime Minister
	answering dept sort name	Prime Minister
	hansard heading	Germany: Foreign Relations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Prime Minister, what meetings she held with the Chancellor of Germany between 1 and 6 July 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	268548
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>I hold meetings with other leaders regularly in order to further the UK’s foreign policy interests. Information about these meetings is in the public domain and can be found on the gov.uk website and in Hansard.</p> answering member constituency Maidenhead answering member printed Mrs Theresa May grouped question UIN 268549 268554 question first answered 27/06/2019 14:57:44 answering member 8 label Biography information for Mrs Theresa May
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1134103

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Prime Minister
	answering dept id	23
	answering dept short name	Prime Minister
	answering dept sort name	Prime Minister
	hansard heading	European Union
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Prime Minister, what records were kept of meetings she held with European heads of state in the 12 months to 6 July 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	268549
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>I hold meetings with other leaders regularly in order to further the UK’s foreign policy interests. Information about these meetings is in the public domain and can be found on the gov.uk website and in Hansard.</p> answering member constituency Maidenhead answering member printed Mrs Theresa May grouped question UIN 268548 268554 question first answered 27/06/2019 14:57:44 answering member 8 label Biography information for Mrs Theresa May
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133745

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Sudan: Humanitarian Situation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian effect of the situation in Sudan; and what steps his Department is taking to support those at risk in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267356
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Sudan with concern. Close to two million people live as Internally Displaced People inside Sudan, with around 600,000 living precarious lives as refugees beyond its borders. Sudan also hosts close to a million refugees.</p><p>In early 2018 Sudan’s economy entered a phase of widespread crisis resulting in real incomes collapsing and prices of commodities increasing. The United Nations states that 5.7 million people, including all of those displaced, are in need of humanitarian support, although they estimate the number at risk is 8 million people due to the current economic crisis.</p><p>The United Nations has developed a response to meet the needs of 4.4 million people that would cost $1.2bn, and relies on the governing authorities in Sudan to facilitate safe passage of these supplies and aid workers to reach those in need of assistance. The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) in Sudan is prioritising the humanitarian response and has already contributed £30 million this fiscal year. In addition, the UK has raised the humanitarian situation in multilateral fora, including at the European Union on 7 June calling for all to respect International Humanitarian Law and enhance the environment for protection of civilians.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 27/06/2019 16:18:28 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133746

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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: Human Trafficking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle human trafficking in developing countries.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267357
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>DFID is at the forefront of the UK’s efforts to tackle modern slavery, one of the biggest human rights challenges of our time. The UK launched the Call to Action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in 2017 and it has now been endorsed by close to 90 countries. The UK will continue to take a leading role driving change through the multilateral system to help achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) 8.7 and other relevant goals to end modern slavery in all its forms.</p><p> </p><p>Using UK Aid which now totals over £200m, our programmes work to reduce vulnerability to exploitation and address the permissive environments that allow modern slavery and human trafficking to thrive. We are supporting countries’ efforts to tackle the root causes of trafficking by: creating jobs and livelihoods; changing business and recruitment practices to eradicate exploitation in supply chains; helping build law enforcement capacity increase detection and prosecution of perpetrators; and improving services to protect victims.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 27/06/2019 16:19:20 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133748

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to increase education and awareness of female genital mutilation in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267358
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a crime and it is child abuse. The Government is clear that we will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong suffering to women and girls.</p><p>The Home Office’s FGM unit delivers nationwide outreach on FGM. The Unit is providing outreach support to local areas and working to raise awareness of resources available to professionals, including training, best practice examples and information on legislation and policy. Resources include an e-learning package, various communication materials such as leaflets and posters highlighting the legislation and health impacts of FGM, and an online resource pack for local areas.</p><p>We ran a communications campaign between October 2018 and February 2019 to tackle FGM. The campaign sought to prevent FGM by changing attitudes among affected communities through raising awareness of the negative long-term health consequences of FGM. The campaign also raised awareness that FGM is a crime and encouraged communities to report via the NSPCC’s FGM helpline. The campaign supported the objectives of the cross-government Violence Against Women and Girls strategy.</p><p>Earlier this year, the Home Office trained around 1,300 professionals across the country on FGM and forced marriage protection orders. The events raised awareness of the scope and effectiveness of the orders, along with a practical guide to applying, with the aim of encouraging professionals to always consider them in any safeguarding plans.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/07/2019 16:04:46 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133750

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Sexual Offences
	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 tackle alleged sexual harassment in the Armed Forces.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267359
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>No one should have to work in an environment where they are sexually harassed or experience other forms of inappropriate behaviour which are clearly incompatible with the high values and standards we expect of our people. The Armed Forces are committed to addressing this issue through a range of activities, including surveys and climate assessments, awareness campaigns, and training around equality, diversity, inclusion and values. Addressing this type of behaviour is also a leadership issue and covered in leadership training modules. In addition, each unit in the Armed Forces has at least one trained Equality and Diversity Inclusion Adviser, who has a key role in advising the Commanding Officer on Equality Legislation and, where incidents occur, providing advice to those involved on the option of informal resolution of the matter or submission of a Service complaint.</p><p>We recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report sexual harassment. Personnel who come forward can have full confidence that all allegations are thoroughly investigated.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/06/2019 13:26:41 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133751

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Reoffenders: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners given a custodial sentence for domestic violence have reoffended within a year of their release since 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267360
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>There is no specific offence of domestic violence. Conduct amounting to domestic violence can be present in a wide range of offences and is not readily identifiable from court sentencing outcomes.</p><p> </p><p>Information on how many prisoners who received a custodial sentence for offences involving domestic violence reoffended within a year of their release since 2015 may be held on court records, but could only be obtained at disproportionate cost as a manual search of court records would be required.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 27/06/2019 17:13:36 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133754

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Plastics: Waste
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the UK's plastic waste has been shipped to other countries since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>Since 2010 the amount of plastic waste exported to other countries for reprocessing has fallen from 850,000 tonnes a year in 2010 to 600,000 tonnes in 2018. In total over this period around 7 million tonnes have been shipped. This is based on HM Revenue and Customs trade data.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is recycling more than ever, achieving a 46% plastic packaging recycling rate in 2017 and exceeding the EU target of 22.5%.The Government is clear we must export less waste and that any waste we do need to export is properly handled.</p><p> </p><p>The recently published Resources and Waste Strategy is focused on increasing the supply and demand for secondary materials to be recycled in the UK, thereby reducing exports of plastic waste. Any waste that will be managed abroad must be subject to strict controls and the government is committed to strengthening these controls.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 28/06/2019 13:24:05 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133756

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Deportation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been deported to countries with which the UK holds a Memorandum of Understanding since 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267362
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office does not separately record returns by the arrangements that support them including Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), with foreign countries and as such the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost</p><p><br>The UK has a range of returns arrangements with receiving countries including bilateral MOU, EU Readmission Agreements, formal readmission agreements and informal operational arrangements which provide the basis for administrative removal and deportation. There are also formal returns arrangements for third-country nationals to other European countries through the Dublin Regulations.</p><p>The latest published statistics for the number of returns to individual countries is available from the GOV.uk website at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/803187/returns5-mar-2019-tables.ods" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/803187/returns5-mar-2019-tables.ods</a></p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 26/06/2019 14:52:08 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1128042

	registered interest
	date	22/05/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Sovereignty: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent assessment she has made of the benefits to Northern Ireland of being part of the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	910960
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>This Government has made clear on many occasions that we will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union.</p><p>Northern Ireland benefits hugely from the Union and my steadfast belief is that Northern Ireland’s future is best served within a stronger United Kingdom.</p> answering member constituency Staffordshire Moorlands answering member printed Karen Bradley grouped question UIN 910961 question first answered 22/05/2019 14:13:03 answering member 4110 label Biography information for Dame Karen Bradley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1092120

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2019
	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	Dogs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide companion dogs with the same protections as assistance dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	234786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2019 answer text <p>The offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control (section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) applies to attacks on other dogs, livestock and any other animals including companion dogs, as it does to attacks on people and assistance dogs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is based on the judgement in the Court of Appeal in R v Gedminintaite [2008] EWCA Crim 814. This case has shown that consideration of a dog being dangerously out of control is not restricted to situations where a person is present.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 26/03/2019 11:20:21 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078570

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Employment and Support Allowance: Self-employed
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support self-employed people who need to claim employment support allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226720
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2019 answer text <p>We have successfully rolled out Universal Credit in all job centres nationally. Consequently, self-employed people, who have a health condition, can now claim either Universal Credit and/or New Style Employment and Support Allowance.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants who are eligible to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance can do so by calling the Universal Credit helpline to request a claim form or by downloading and printing the form available on Gov.uk. Full details about how to apply (including information requesting forms in alternative formats such as braille) can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa</a></p><p> </p><p>Claimants who are not eligible to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance can claim Universal Credit online. For those unable to access or use digital services, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helplines. The Universal Credit Service Centre will establish the best means of support available.</p><p> </p><p>A home visit can be arranged to support a claimant in making their initial claim and completing any other administrative tasks required to ensure their application is completed.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, to help claimants who may struggle making a claim, Universal Support is available, which is advice, assistance or support to help Universal Credit and New Style Employment and Support Allowance claimants with managing their claim or award.</p><p> </p><p>From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland will deliver a new “Help to Claim” service to support vulnerable claimants through the process of making a claim.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 07/03/2019 13:53:53 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078601

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Christianity: Oppression
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will convene an emergency international summit, hosted in London, to co-ordinate a response to the attacks on Christians around the world.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226721
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>We British Government Ministers regularly raise our concerns about the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians, where this occurs. The Government works with a large number of NGOs, to help promote and protect freedom of religion or belief. We use information from a wide range of sources to inform our work. The Foreign Secretary has asked the Bishop of Truro to conduct an independent review of the persecution of Christians around the world to help inform this important area of our work to ensure it is targeted and effective. There are no plans to host an emergency international summit on this matter.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/03/2019 15:39:10 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078602

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Nigeria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on (a) the rescue of Leah Sharibu and other people kidnapped by Boko Haram and (b) ending the violence against Christians in Nigeria’s middle belt.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226722
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK repeatedly calls for the release of all those abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) including Leah Sharibu. We will continue to use our public messaging and extensive engagement with the Government of Nigeria to secure their release. The Government of Nigeria has given assurances that they are making all efforts to secure Leah's release.</p><p>We regularly raise our concerns about intercommunal violence with the Nigerian Government at the highest levels. Our assessment is that religious identity is a factor but the root causes are highly complex, including disputes over land, farming rights, the impact of climate change, grazing routes and access to water. Our High Commission in Abuja is engaging closely with international partners, the Nigerian government, state governments and the National Economic Council to develop measures which address the underlying causes of the conflict, including the recently-announced bi-partisan National Livestock Transformation Plan.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 06/03/2019 16:26:28 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078603

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Middle East: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will co-ordinate an international effort to encourage Christians and other religious minorities who have left Iraq and Syria to return to those countries to rebuild their lives.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK supports the right of all Iraqi and Syrian refugees, regardless of religion, to return to their homes safely, voluntarily and in dignity, when conditions allow.</p><p>Syria is not currently an environment for safe, voluntary and dignified refugee return. We are calling for a negotiated political settlement to end the conflict and create the conditions for refugees to return.</p><p>During my visit to Iraq in January I raised the importance of voluntary returns of refugees and internationally displaced persons with representatives from the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. To help enable these returns, the UK has committed over £47 million to directly improve conditions in areas liberated from Daesh in Iraq, including an additional £6.9 million which I announced during my visit.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 12:43:49 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078604

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Pakistan: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to Christians on death row on charges of blasphemy in Pakistan .
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226724
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>It is the British Government's longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and in all countries. We remain deeply concerned by the misuse of the blasphemy laws and the treatment of minority religious communities, including Christians, in Pakistan.</p><p>We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently my colleague Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, discussed the treatment of minority communities with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, during his visit to Pakistan on 18 and 19 February. At the UN Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan in November 2017, the UK pressed Pakistan to strengthen the protection of minorities and to explain the steps being taken to tackle the abuse of the blasphemy laws.</p><p>To ensure the United Kingdom is supporting Christians in the best possible way, the Foreign Secretary has commissioned an independent, global review of the support provided to Christians overseas. The Review will consider what additional practical steps the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can take to support persecuted Christians. It will be led by the Bishop of Truro, Rt Revd. Philip Mounstephen, and will make an initial report around Easter.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 08/03/2019 14:38:23 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078606

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Burma: Christianity
	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 is taking to support the rights of Christian minorities in Burma.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The British Government continues to express out concern at restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in Burma. The Minister for the Commonwealth and the United Nations raised the UK's concerns about persecution faced by Christian and other minorities in Burma in his speech to the Human Rights Council in February 2018. The UK, working with the EU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, secured a UN Human Rights Council Resolution on 27 September 2018 that called for the amending or repealing of discriminatory provisions of the &quot;protection of race and religion laws&quot; in Burma covering religious conversion, interfaith marriage, monogamy and population control. The British Ambassador met the Burmese Minister for Religious Affairs on 9 August 2018, and underlined the importance of interfaith dialogue.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/03/2019 15:43:19 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078607

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Egypt: Christianity
	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 is taking to promote religious tolerance and justice for Coptic Christians in Egypt.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226726
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>​We condemn the terrorist attacks targeting the Coptic community and continue to stand with Egypt against terrorism. We regularly raise our concerns over issues affecting Christians with the Egyptian Government and welcome President Sisi's consistent calls for peaceful coexistence. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, visited Cairo in November, where he reaffirmed our mutual commitment to freedom of religion or belief and held a roundtable with religious leaders at the Anglican Cathedral.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 11:59:18 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078611

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Middle East: Christianity
	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 his Department is taking to help protect the rights of Christian workers in the Middle East.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Commonwealth and the UN have had a number of recent engagements with religious leaders, interested organisations, partner governments and parliamentarians on the issue of Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of human rights of Christians and all religious minorities around the world, including in the Middle East. We are also engaged on issues which impact on the situation of Christians working in the Middle East, including the rights of migrant workers and refugees and the ability of members of religious minorities to access labour markets in relevant countries in the region.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 12:51:15 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078612

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that international NGOs consider religious vulnerability in their definition of need.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226728
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable in all settings is unwavering, as is our requirement that all UK-funded humanitarian partners work according to international humanitarian principles, placing protection at the centre of their work. Our partners carry out vulnerability assessments to ensure aid effectively reaches those most in need, including those from religious minorities, as it is recognised that religion may be a factor in causing vulnerability.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 05/03/2019 16:59:18 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1050128

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of 15 November 2018, Official Report column 545, whether it is his policy that the use of the term fibre in the advertising of part-copper broadband represents misleading advertising.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	213437
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.</p><p> </p><p>The ASA also reviewed the use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June 2018, the Administrative Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review (JR) of the ASA's decision. The next stage is for the Administrative Court to make a substantive decision on the JR.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic light system for broadband advertising.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be consulting on its Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, spectrum and post shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 213438 213439 question first answered 05/02/2019 14:09:22 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1050129

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of 15 November 2018, Official Report column 545, what steps he is taking to tackle the misleading advertising of fibre broadband.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	213438
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.</p><p> </p><p>The ASA also reviewed the use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June 2018, the Administrative Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review (JR) of the ASA's decision. The next stage is for the Administrative Court to make a substantive decision on the JR.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic light system for broadband advertising.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be consulting on its Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, spectrum and post shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 213437 213439 question first answered 05/02/2019 14:09:22 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1050130

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of Thursday 15 November 2018, Official Report column 545, whether he plans to include proposals to tackle the misleading advertising of fibre broadband in his forthcoming Statement of Strategic Priorities to Ofcom.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	213439
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.</p><p> </p><p>The ASA also reviewed the use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June 2018, the Administrative Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review (JR) of the ASA's decision. The next stage is for the Administrative Court to make a substantive decision on the JR.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic light system for broadband advertising.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be consulting on its Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, spectrum and post shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 213437 213438 question first answered 05/02/2019 14:09:22 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1042300

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commission an independent review of the (a) adequacy, (b) cost effectiveness and (c) effect on the diversity of students of credibility interviews within the student immigration system.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	209352
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>An internal review of point of application credibility interviews for interna-tional students was conducted in 2018 to ensure that interviews are adding value to the case consideration process and not unnecessarily inconven-iencing customers. Up to date risk information was factored in to this review. Regular engagement with universities and other educational institutions en-sures that feedback is collected in relation to the application process.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/01/2019 18:00:05 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1042301

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to develop an international student growth strategy.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	209353
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The government fully recognises the important economic and cultural contribution that EU and international students make to the UK’s higher education sector. We want that contribution to continue and are confident – given the world class quality of our higher education sector – that it will. We welcome international students and there continues to be no limit on the number who can come here to study, nor any plans to limit any institution’s ability to recruit them.</p><p> </p><p>The UK remains a highly attractive destination for non-EU students, with their numbers remaining at record highs – over 170,000 non-EU entrants to UK higher education institutions for the seventh year running. The UK is a world-leading destination for study, with 4 universities in the world’s top 10 and 16 in the top 100 – second only to the USA. We actively promote study in the UK through the GREAT Campaign and to over 100 countries through the British Council.</p><p> </p><p>In the immigration white paper, published on 19 December 2018, the government proposed to increase the post-study leave period for international students following completion of studies to 12 months for those completing a PhD, and to 6 months for all full-time postgraduate students and undergraduate students at institutions with degree awarding powers. Going beyond the recommendations set out by the Migration Advisory Committee, these proposals will benefit tens of thousands of international students.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 21/01/2019 14:58:00 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1020870

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Companies House: Registration
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he has taken to reduce the risk of fraud from the availability of personal information on the Companies House database.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	200149
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>The Government considers that it is important that the information on the companies register should not become a tool for abuse. In response to concerns about the availability of residential address information on the register, we brought regulations into force in April to make it easier for people to have this information suppressed. We are also currently considering a broad package of reforms to Companies House, including the protection of personal information. We plan to consult on these reforms in 2019.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 12/12/2018 16:51:21 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1020871

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Bankruptcy: Tax Avoidance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to ensure that those affected by the 2019 loan charge are not forced into bankruptcy by the repayments.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	200150
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>Disguised Remuneration (DR) schemes are contrived arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration with the sole purpose of avoiding income tax and National Insurance contributions. On average loan scheme users have twice as much income as the average UK taxpayer, when taking into account the loan they received.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC is working hard to help individuals get out of tax avoidance for good and are encouraging anyone who is concerned about their ability to pay to contact them as soon as possible to discuss their options. HMRC has set up a dedicated helpline for those wanting to settle their avoidance scheme use, and discuss payment options.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC does not want to make anybody bankrupt and very few cases ever reach that stage. They will work with all individuals to reach a manageable and sustainable payment plan wherever possible.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC has simplified the process for those who choose to settle their use of avoidance schemes before the loan charge arises, so that those earning less than £50,000 a year and are no longer engaging in tax avoidance can agree a payment plan of up to five years without the need for detailed supporting information. There is no maximum period within which an overall settlement can be agreed, and all individual cases will be dealt with appropriately and sympathetically.</p><p> </p><p>Since the announcement of the 2019 loan charge at Budget 2016, HMRC has agreed settlements on disguised remuneration schemes with employers and individuals of over 650 million pounds. More than 90% of this amount was collected from employers, with less than 10% from individuals.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 17/12/2018 16:00:13 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1020872

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Sub-Committee report entitled The powers of HMRC: treating taxpayers fairly, HL 242.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	200151
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>The Government will respond to the sub-Committee’s report in due course and in the usual way.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride grouped question UIN 200140 question first answered 12/12/2018 13:57:24 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013166

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2018
	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	Dogs: Smuggling
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many reports of illegally imported puppies the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been called out to in 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	195121
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>Enforcement action regarding illegally imported puppies is not within APHA’s remit, but is carried out by Local Authorities.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018 the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been called out 44 times following referrals by carriers or border officials, eight of these related to the importation of puppies.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 10:39:07 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013167

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2018
	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	Pets: Smuggling
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many seizures have taken place in relation to abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme in 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	195122
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>Since December 2015 APHA has been taking an intelligence-led approach at Dover aimed at disrupting the illegal importation of puppies and abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme, which is yielding positive results. As part of this activity APHA is working with the Dogs Trust and Kent County Council to quarantine underage dogs intercepted at both Dover Port and Eurotunnel.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018 281 animals have been quarantined due to non-compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme. This figure may include commercial dog imports.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Enforcement action regarding illegally imported puppies is under the remit of Local Authorities. APHA are not able to provide data regarding seizures by local authorities in relation to abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 10:31:13 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013168

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2018
	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	Pet Travel Scheme
	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 assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the newly-established intelligence-led approach to the enforcement of the Pet Travel Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	195123
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK carries out more checks of pets at the border than most other EU member states. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in partnership with Dogs Trust, enforcement bodies and transport carriers to identify non-compliant animals destined for Dover and Folkestone ports. This partnership in collaboration with the intelligence-led Task Force has led to over 800 puppies being seized since 2015.</p><p> </p><p>Demand drives the illegal trafficking of puppies. Defra works with stakeholders to drive up standards for advertising, and to educate potential owners on how to responsibly buy a pet. Defra has published guidance on buying a pet. We have recently consulted on a ban on third party sales of puppies and kittens, and are completing the analysis of the results.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 16:51:43 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013169

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Avoidance: Aberdeen South
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people in the Aberdeen South constituency affected by the 2019 Loan Charge.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	195124
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The 2019 loan charge is targeted at disguised remuneration (DR) schemes. These are artificial tax avoidance schemes where earnings are paid in the form of non-repayable loans made by a third party.</p><p> </p><p>DR schemes are contrived arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration with the sole purpose of avoiding income tax and National Insurance contributions. When taking into account the loan they received, loan scheme users have on average twice as much income as the average UK taxpayer.</p><p> </p><p>Since the announcement of the 2019 loan charge at Budget 2016, HMRC has agreed settlements on disguised remuneration schemes with employers and individuals of over 650 million pounds. More than 90% of this amount was collected from employers, with less than 10% from individuals.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC have also simplified the process for those who choose to settle their use of avoidance schemes before the charge arises, so that those earning less than £50,000 a year and no longer engaging in tax avoidance can agree a payment plan of up to five years without the need for detailed supporting information. There is no maximum period within which an overall settlement can be agreed, and HMRC will deal with individual cases appropriately and sympathetically.</p><p> </p><p>50,000 individuals are estimated to be affected by the introduction of the DR loan charge across the UK. Information is not held at constituency level.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 03/12/2018 15:44:00 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

838923

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Offshore Fixed Structures: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the decommissioning of oil platforms on the economy in north east of Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	127485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>With increasing numbers of offshore oil and gas fields reaching the end of their economic life, forecasts from industry estimate that the annual expenditure for decommissioning over the next 5 years will be in the region of £1.7 to £2 billion. While decommissioning is a major cost for industry, and the taxpayer, it offers significant opportunities for the supply chain that will deliver the constituent elements of decommissioning activity. This encompasses a wide range of activities, covering a broad range of skills and expertise.</p><p>With recent estimates from industry suggesting that decommissioning will represent around 11 per cent of total expenditure on oil and gas for 2017, decommissioning is already benefitting the north east of Scotland and the rest of the UK’s economy. Whilst we don’t have specific figures around the economic impact of the increase in decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations, we expect to see an increasing proportion of the offshore oil and gas industry focussing on decommissioning activities in the coming years.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 22/02/2018 13:59:41 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

838924

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will hold discussions with representatives of the Scottish Government on the effect of her policies on WASPI women in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	127486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2018 answer text <p>I have had regular correspondence with the Scottish Minister for Social Security on 16/07/2017, 25/08/17 and 05/02/18. As I said in my letter of 5<sup>th</sup> February,</p><p> </p><p><em>“</em><em>Should the Scottish Government wish to exercise their considerable powers to provide financial support to those impacted by the changes to the State Pension age they are able to do so. This would be entirely a matter for them and the UK Government would not seek to stop them”. </em></p><p> </p><p>There are no plans to meet with representatives of the Scottish Government to discuss this issue.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 23/02/2018 12:11:25 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

838925

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Reserve Forces
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the continuation of Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadrons in universities.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	127487
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>The Army has 15 University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) and two University Officer Training Regiments (UOTR) covering a number of affiliated universities across the UK, delivering military, leadership and personal training development opportunities. We are committed to maintaining a nationwide footprint of UOTCs and UOTRs. Under the Army's Basic Training Transformation Programme, the current UOTC structure is being examined. The study is ongoing with no decision imminent.</p><p>The RAF has 15 University Air Squadrons (UAS) which incorporate a number of affiliated universities across a wide catchment area in the UK in geographically essential locations. UAS are a vital part of developing and recruiting talented individuals into the RAF. There are no plans to change this.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 20/02/2018 16:40:17 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

838926

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Yemen: International Assistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure access for humanitarian aid to Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	127488
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>As the Prime Minister set out in her November visit to Riyadh, the UK continues to call for complete and unhindered access for commercial and humanitarian imports of food, fuel and medical supplies particularly through the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef. Following the Secretary of State’s visit to Riyadh in December we were pleased to see the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lift all access restrictions. To encourage commercial imports which provide over 80% of Yemen’s food and fuel, we are providing £1.3 million to the UN’s Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) this financial year (2017/18) and have provided UK experts on the ground in Djibouti to increase the number of UNVIM inspections of commercial vessels entering Yemen.</p><p> </p><p>The UK will continue to play a leading role in the humanitarian response and efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen. Our funding of £205 million to Yemen for 2017/18 makes us the third-largest humanitarian donor to Yemen overall, and the second-largest to the UN Humanitarian Appeal.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/02/2018 13:45:31 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

838927

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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: Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to help tackle modern slavery in developing countries.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	127489
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>Tackling modern slavery is a cross-government priority, and DFID is committed to driving change through the UN and other multilateral channels. At last year’s UN General Assembly, our Prime Minister launched the “Call to Action to end Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking”, which has been endorsed by 43 countries from all regions of the world. We will continue to push for more country endorsements and ensure that it delivers action on the ground.</p><p>We are also expanding our work in developing countries to tackle the root causes of slavery and support victims, whilst addressing the factors that enable the criminality of modern slavery to thrive. As part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to double ODA spend on modern slavery to £150 million, DFID is developing £40 million of new programming which will help over 500,000 vulnerable men, women and children.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/02/2018 13:45:55 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

838928

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Shipbuilding: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has made an assessment of the economic contributions of Ministry of Defence contracts to the shipbuilding industry in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	127490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>The £3.7 billion Ministry of Defence contract for the first three Type 26 frigates, to be followed by five more, and the £635 million investment in the Offshore Patrol Vessel programme have guaranteed the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde work for 20 years and safeguarded 1,700 shipbuilding jobs in Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the second of the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers is currently being fitted out in Rosyth, and the National Shipbuilding Strategy has set out our commitment to a competition to design and build Type 31e frigates here in the UK<strong>. </strong></p> answering member constituency Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale answering member printed David Mundell question first answered 20/02/2018 10:06:25 answering member 1512 label Biography information for David Mundell
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

834202

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2018
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	City Region Deals: Aberdeen
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans his Department has to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the Aberdeen City Deal.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	125839
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2018 answer text <p>Robust governance structures and processes were established prior to the commencement of the Aberdeen City Region Deal. These provide assurance to the government that there is open and transparent decision making, governance and project delivery.</p><p> </p><p>Central to the governance arrangements is the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee which oversees the implementation and monitoring. In addition there is an Aberdeen City Region Deal Programme Implementation Board which meets quarterly to review progress against agreed implementation milestones and objectives. Scotland Office officials sit on the Implementation Board.</p><p> </p><p>Overall scrutiny of the implementation of the Aberdeen City Region Deal is the responsibility of the Scottish City Region Deal Delivery Board which is comprised of senior officials from Scotland Office, the Cities and Local Growth Unit and the Scottish Government. The Delivery Board meets quarterly to review progress.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale answering member printed David Mundell question first answered 07/02/2018 09:22:21 answering member 1512 label Biography information for David Mundell
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

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