The decision to establish a Group of Government Experts (GGE) to discuss the issue of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems will be taken by consensus by all High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The UK supports of the formation of a GGE subject to agreement on the mandate for such a group.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T16:42:41.697Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Autonomous Weapons"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they intend to establish a group of government experts at the forthcoming Review Conference on the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to consider what legal agreements are required for the management and control of the development of virtual autonomous weapons systems and the necessary level of human control for compliance with international law.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1660", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Judd"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Judd"} ], "uin" : "HL3948"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654284", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654284/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government of the United Kingdom does not possess fully autonomous weapon systems and have no intention of developing them. Such systems are not yet in existence and are not likely to be for many years, if at all. The UK believes that international law, in particular, international humanitarian law, remains the correct framework for governing the use of all weapons systems, including fully autonomous ones.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T16:43:39.367Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Autonomous Weapons"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is their estimate of the threat to UK interests of the development of virtual autonomous weapons systems across the world; and what part effective international regulation could play in controlling the development of such systems.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1660", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Judd"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Judd"} ], "uin" : "HL3949"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654288", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654288/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has consulted on its proposals to extend its commitment to mandatory gender pay gap reporting to the public sector. The Government Legal Department, Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office will comply with any future publication requirements which will apply to it when the relevant legislation is in place.<\/p>
The Attorney General\u2019s Office and Her Majesty\u2019s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate are organisations with less than 250 employees so are not expected to be required to publish any gender pay gap information on their website. The expectation however is that they too will comply with the spirit of the legislation.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T15:45:50.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Attorney General: Equal Pay"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, what plans the Law Officers' Department has to publish information on the gender pay gap among its employees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4060", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Jake Berry"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rossendale and Darwen"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jake Berry"} ], "uin" : "56595"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654290", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654290/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The current public procurement rules will continue to apply until the UK has left the EU following the successful conclusion of exit negotiations. The longer-term options for our procurement regulations are being considered carefully.<\/p>
We are already working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to support strategic industries within the existing procurement rules. For example, we have published guidelines for departments to apply on major projects when sourcing and buying steel to open up the steel market; level the playing field for UK business; improve visibility of opportunities on major projects; and stimulate competition:<\/p>
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1615-procuring-steel-in-major-projects<\/a><\/p> We have also published a Balanced Scorecard guide, designed to help public procurers in balancing straightforward matters such as cost against more complex issues, such as social and wider economic considerations when designing their procurement approaches:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0916-procuring-for-growth-balanced-scorecard<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3988", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ben Gummer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ipswich"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ben Gummer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "56669"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T09:46:57.84Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Procurement"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has for reform of Government procurement after the UK leaves the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4030", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Karl Turner"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Karl Turner"}
], "uin" : "56646"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654293", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654293/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to transforming the relationship between citizen and state by harnessing digital technology, to build and deliver services. The Cabinet Office is running the following digital transformation programmes:<\/p> <\/p> · Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service - a first rate, efficient and trusted electoral registration system for all citizens;<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> the Government as a Platform programme - a number of new cross-government platforms which will make assembling government services faster, cheaper and better. As part of this programme, GDS is currently developing:<\/p> <\/p> v GOV.UK<\/a> Pay - a shared payments solution for users to make payments;<\/p> v GOV.UK<\/a> Notify - a shared tool for sending messages to users to update them; and<\/p> v Platform as a Service for government - a shared digital hosting platform<\/p> <\/p> We are also making improvements to the digital tools used by civil servants to increase government efficiency. These programmes will reduce financial losses through fraud and error and improve overdue debt management; improve the effectiveness of UK resilience planning, response and recovery, by enabling stronger multi-agency collaboration and reform public services; and improve social outcomes and create savings for the taxpayer through the expansion of Social Impact Bonds.<\/p> <\/p> We will make an announcement about future plans in due course.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3988", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ben Gummer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ipswich"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ben Gummer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T09:40:50.81Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Digital Technology"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the digital transformation projects (a) ongoing and (b) planned.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Louise Haigh"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield, Heeley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Louise Haigh"}
], "uin" : "56675"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654295", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654295/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The current public procurement rules will continue to apply until the UK has left the EU following the successful conclusion of exit negotiations. The longer-term options for our procurement regulations are being considered carefully.<\/p> We are already working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to support strategic industries within the existing procurement rules. For example, we have published guidelines for departments to apply on major projects when sourcing and buying steel to open up the steel market; level the playing field for UK business; improve visibility of opportunities on major projects; and stimulate competition:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1615-procuring-steel-in-major-projects<\/a><\/p> We have also published a Balanced Scorecard guide, designed to help public procurers in balancing straightforward matters such as cost against more complex issues, such as social and wider economic considerations when designing their procurement approaches:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0916-procuring-for-growth-balanced-scorecard<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3988", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ben Gummer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ipswich"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ben Gummer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "56646"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T09:46:57.903Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Sector: Procurement"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps along with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to plan reform of public procurement rules in order to support strategic industries after the UK leaves the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4030", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Karl Turner"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Karl Turner"}
], "uin" : "56669"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654296", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/654296/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The average administrative burden saving to companies in the oil and gas sector from simplifying the reporting process for Petroleum Revenue Tax is estimated at £620,000 per annum.<\/p> <\/p> Further information about the measure can be found in the Tax Information and Impact Note (published 23 November 2016). This is available at:<\/p>