{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-15&answer.answeringMember.label=Biography+information+for+Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-17T15%3A54%3A01.79Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-15&answer.answeringMember.label=Biography+information+for+Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-17T15%3A54%3A01.79Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-15&_metadata=all&answer.answeringMember.label=Biography+information+for+Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-17T15%3A54%3A01.79Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-15&answer.answeringMember.label=Biography+information+for+Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-17T15%3A54%3A01.79Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-15&answer.answeringMember.label=Biography+information+for+Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-17T15%3A54%3A01.79Z", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-15&answer.answeringMember.label=Biography+information+for+Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Dr+Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+Coffey&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-17T15%3A54%3A01.79Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138134", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138134/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>As set out in our 25 Year Environment Plan, this Government recognises the importance of green spaces for health and happiness as well as for environmental benefits such as sequestering carbon, absorbing noise, cleansing pollutants, absorbing surface water and reducing high temperatures. In the right place, using green spaces in towns and cities to help divert or store flood water can be beneficial, including using sustainable drainage systems such as permeable surfaces and ponds or natural flood management techniques in towns and cities as well as upstream.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>As we build more homes, preserving and creating green spaces in towns is more important than ever. We want to encourage local authorities to consider all flood management opportunities and developers to take into account all the benefits when deciding how much land to allocate as green space.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>To support this we have worked with colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to revise the National Planning Policy Framework to further encourage sustainable drainage systems, and published our Surface Water Management Action Plan which includes actions that will join up planning for surface water management and build local authority capacity. In addition, Natural England is developing a framework of national standards for green infrastructure in close consultation with stakeholders.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
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      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Recreation Spaces"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the merits of increasing green spaces in the UK to reduce the effect of flash flooding.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry South"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Jim Cunningham"}
      ], "uin" : "275672"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138135", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138135/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Environmental policy is largely a devolved matter. Northern Ireland officials requested to make options available to ensure that environmental governance in Northern Ireland can be safeguarded after the UK\u2019s departure from the EU. We are working in conjunction with officials in DAERA to ensure the forthcoming Environment Bill enables the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to provide effective oversight of the environment in Northern Ireland should the Executive in Northern Ireland agree to it.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Executive officials\u2019 agreement to extension of the Bill is on the basis of a default position that decisions on implementation will be left for returning Ministers and subject to the requisite Assembly scrutiny procedures.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>If a Northern Ireland executive decides to use the OEP in the future, it will then be for the OEP to work with the Executive to address any issues specific to the needs of Northern Ireland.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
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      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office for Environmental Protection: Northern Ireland"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Office of Environmental Protection will take account of Northern Ireland\u2019s specific environmental requirements should its jurisdiction apply there.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
      }
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      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
      ], "uin" : "275765"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138136", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138136/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Environmental policy is largely a devolved matter. Northern Ireland officials requested to make options available to ensure that environmental governance in Northern Ireland can be safeguarded after the UK\u2019s departure from the EU. We are working in conjunction with officials in DAERA to ensure the forthcoming Environment Bill enables the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to provide effective oversight of the environment in Northern Ireland should the Executive in Northern Ireland agree to it.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Executive officials\u2019 agreement to extension of the Bill is on the basis of a default position that decisions on implementation will be left for returning Ministers and subject to the requisite Assembly scrutiny procedures.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>If a Northern Ireland executive decides to use the OEP in the future, it will then be for the OEP to work with the Executive to address any issues specific to the needs of Northern Ireland.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "275765"}
        , {"_value" : "275768"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T16:52:48.387Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office for Environmental Protection: Northern Ireland"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Office of Environmental Protection will have a physical presence in Northern Ireland should it have jurisdiction there.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
      ], "uin" : "275766"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138138", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138138/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Environmental policy is largely a devolved matter. Northern Ireland officials requested to make options available to ensure that environmental governance in Northern Ireland can be safeguarded after the UK\u2019s departure from the EU. We are working in conjunction with officials in DAERA to ensure the forthcoming Environment Bill enables the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to provide effective oversight of the environment in Northern Ireland should the Executive in Northern Ireland agree to it.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Executive officials\u2019 agreement to extension of the Bill is on the basis of a default position that decisions on implementation will be left for returning Ministers and subject to the requisite Assembly scrutiny procedures.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>If a Northern Ireland executive decides to use the OEP in the future, it will then be for the OEP to work with the Executive to address any issues specific to the needs of Northern Ireland.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T16:46:15.643Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office for Environmental Protection: Northern Ireland"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he will take to ensure that (a) Northern Ireland is represented on the Office of Environmental Protection\u2019s (OEP\u2019s) Board and (b) that the specific needs of Northern Ireland are taken into account when the OEP\u2019s budget and strategy is agreed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
      ], "uin" : "275767"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138139", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138139/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Environmental policy is largely a devolved matter. Northern Ireland officials requested to make options available to ensure that environmental governance in Northern Ireland can be safeguarded after the UK\u2019s departure from the EU. We are working in conjunction with officials in DAERA to ensure the forthcoming Environment Bill enables the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to provide effective oversight of the environment in Northern Ireland should the Executive in Northern Ireland agree to it.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Executive officials\u2019 agreement to extension of the Bill is on the basis of a default position that decisions on implementation will be left for returning Ministers and subject to the requisite Assembly scrutiny procedures.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>If a Northern Ireland executive decides to use the OEP in the future, it will then be for the OEP to work with the Executive to address any issues specific to the needs of Northern Ireland.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "275765"}
        , {"_value" : "275766"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office for Environmental Protection: Northern Ireland"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he will take to ensure Office of Environmental Protection staff have adequate knowledge and experience of Northern Ireland\u2019s legislation and practices.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
      }
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      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
      ], "uin" : "275768"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138140", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138140/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>No. We believe these principles are sufficient to ensure we achieve our vision of protecting the environment and leaving it in a better state than we found it.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T15:03:52.817Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to add additional principles to those included in the Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
      ], "uin" : "275769"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137170", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137170/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The UK Government recognises the huge potential for nature based solutions in tackling climate change while also supporting biodiversity. Trees are a major contributor to nature-based carbon sequestration. There are other natural sequesters including mangroves, sea grasses, salt marshes, soil and peatlands.<\/p><p>Through the UK\u2019s International Climate Finance (ICF, £5.8bn between 2016-2021) the UK funds several programmes in developing countries that use tree-planting as a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and generating economic benefits for rural communities. For example, Defra\u2019s investments are expected to restore 500,000 hectares of forest generating 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions savings. In Brazil, Defra has invested £55m to help rural farmers restore nearly 200,000 hectares of forest in the Amazon, Atlantic Forests, Cerrado and Caatinga biomes through the implementation of low-carbon agricultural practices. Defra has also invested £10 million to restore up to 20,000 hectares of mangrove forest in Madagascar and Indonesia and recently announced a further £12.75m to restore mangroves across Latin America and the Caribbean.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T11:19:04.887Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Forests: Carbon Emissions"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of The global tree restoration potential report, published in Science on 5 July 2019 that there are 1.7 billion hectares of treeless land on which 1.2 trillion native tree saplings would naturally grow, providing immense potential for tree-planting as a cheap and effective strategy to tackle climate change; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4253", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Malhotra"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Feltham and Heston"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Seema Malhotra"}
      ], "uin" : "273790"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137176", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137176/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Defra is working with the Environment Agency (EA), academics and the UK water industry to understand the scale of the microplastic pollution problem and to establish detection methods to identify, characterise and quantify the types of microplastics entering our rivers. Although there has been substantive research reporting the presence and impacts of microplastics in the marine environment, little is known about their sources, release and impact on freshwaters and their ultimate transport to the marine environment. Defra has commissioned evidence reviews to further understand these issues and will use the outcomes from these and other research to develop policy options/measures/interventions for removing plastic pollution from rivers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>There are currently no consistent sampling, collection or assessment methodologies for measuring micro-plastics in various environmental media (sediments, water column or biota), which means that routine monitoring is not practicable. Defra is also working with the EA, academics and water companies to develop methodologies to enable future monitoring of micro-plastics in wastewater, sludge and the water environment.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The EA takes steps to stop pollution causing harm where they can clearly attribute the source of the substance, as without this information it is not possible for them to take action. One of the sources of plastic pollution comes from small beads used in industrial processes and EA are working proactively to reduce the release of these small plastics pellets from the industries they regulate.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Plastic waste can also provide a source of micro-sized plastics once in the environment. To address this, the Government has set a target to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within the lifetime of the 25 Year Environment Plan (by 2042) and set aside £20 million for research and development managed through the Plastics Innovation Fund in March 2018. A further £10 million was committed in the 2018 Autumn Budget for continued/additional plastics research and development along with £10 million to pioneer innovative approaches to boosting recycling and reducing litter.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "273796"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T09:09:22.497Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Plastics: Rivers"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled, Upstream: Microplastics in UK Rivers, published by Greenpeace UK on 18 June 2019, what assessment he has made of the level plastic pollution in UK rivers; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4253", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Malhotra"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Feltham and Heston"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Seema Malhotra"}
      ], "uin" : "273795"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137177", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137177/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Defra is working with the Environment Agency (EA), academics and the UK water industry to understand the scale of the microplastic pollution problem and to establish detection methods to identify, characterise and quantify the types of microplastics entering our rivers. Although there has been substantive research reporting the presence and impacts of microplastics in the marine environment, little is known about their sources, release and impact on freshwaters and their ultimate transport to the marine environment. Defra has commissioned evidence reviews to further understand these issues and will use the outcomes from these and other research to develop policy options/measures/interventions for removing plastic pollution from rivers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>There are currently no consistent sampling, collection or assessment methodologies for measuring micro-plastics in various environmental media (sediments, water column or biota), which means that routine monitoring is not practicable. Defra is also working with the EA, academics and water companies to develop methodologies to enable future monitoring of micro-plastics in wastewater, sludge and the water environment.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The EA takes steps to stop pollution causing harm where they can clearly attribute the source of the substance, as without this information it is not possible for them to take action. One of the sources of plastic pollution comes from small beads used in industrial processes and EA are working proactively to reduce the release of these small plastics pellets from the industries they regulate.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Plastic waste can also provide a source of micro-sized plastics once in the environment. To address this, the Government has set a target to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within the lifetime of the 25 Year Environment Plan (by 2042) and set aside £20 million for research and development managed through the Plastics Innovation Fund in March 2018. A further £10 million was committed in the 2018 Autumn Budget for continued/additional plastics research and development along with £10 million to pioneer innovative approaches to boosting recycling and reducing litter.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "273795"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T09:09:22.56Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Plastics: Rivers"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) prevent plastic entering rivers and (b) remove plastic pollution from rivers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4253", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Malhotra"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Feltham and Heston"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Seema Malhotra"}
      ], "uin" : "273796"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137213", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137213/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government has made no specific assessment of the effects of discarded cigarettes on ocean plastic pollution. However, there is some evidence that in marine environments cigarette butts contribute to microplastics. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science is working to look at the impact of cigarette butts in the marine environment. This project is due to be completed next year.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Litter Strategy for England was published in April 2017.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We are considering how we can ensure that manufacturers are held responsible for covering the costs of clearing up litter from cigarette butts.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "273777"}
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        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T11:41:49.343Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Litter: Tobacco"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of discarded cigarettes on ocean plastic pollution.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3939", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Percy"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brigg and Goole"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Percy"}
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