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755602

registered interest
date	04/09/2017
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs before the announcement of a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>My Department works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in developing the Government’s response to the shared challenges of improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Government announced an intention to end the sale of all new conventional cars and vans by 2040 as part of the ‘UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations’ (July 2017). My Department engaged closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport and other relevant departments to draft and agree this Plan, including at Ministerial level.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 12/09/2017 10:08:18 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

755759

registered interest
date	04/09/2017
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	Animals: 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, what steps are being taken at ports to tackle illegal smuggling of puppies and other animals into the UK.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2017 answer text <p>We take the issue of illegal trafficking of puppies very seriously.</p><p> </p><p>Responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. When cases of illegal puppy movements under the Pet Travel Scheme are discovered, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) working with Defra will raise instances of abuse of the scheme with the authorities in the relevant countries.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s Chief Veterinary Officer has written to EU countries to raise concerns over illegal smuggling of puppies and animals and APHA has worked in partnership with the Dogs Trust at Dover where approx. 600 puppies have been seized and taken into quarantine since the initiative began.</p><p> </p><p>Defra also works closely with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to drive up standards for online advertisements and make potential pet owners and website operators more aware of rogue dealers to reduce demand.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice grouped question UIN 9107 question first answered 15/09/2017 14:44:30 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

755760

registered interest
date	04/09/2017
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 prosecutions have occurred or proceedings commenced as the result of seizure of illegally imported puppies taken into Dogs Trust's care via its puppy pilot quarantine scheme since the start of that initiative.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7281
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is working with the Dogs Trust and Kent County Council to identify and seize dogs and puppies which were not compliant with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme as part of a pilot project responding to intelligence on potential non-compliance. However any prosecutions or proceedings commenced as a result of the puppy pilot would be undertaken by the Local Authorities.</p><p> </p><p>Local Authorities are required to submit a return to Parliament each year (under Section 80 of the Animal Health Act). The reports do contain high level details of all prosecutions, and the report for 2016 shows that 5 prosecutions were taken in relation to the illegal import of dogs. However we do not hold information on whether these successful prosecutions were as a result of the Puppy Pilot.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 12/09/2017 13:23:49 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

755949

registered interest
date	04/09/2017
answering body	House of Commons Commission
answering dept id	18
answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
hansard heading	Big Ben: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps have been taken to ensure the use of British materials in the refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower and its machinery.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7409
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>The procurement process for the final contract for the refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower is ongoing via an open competition in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Parliament’s procurement policies. In order to comply with the Regulations, Parliament cannot specifically require the use of British materials or machinery when letting contracts, as the Regulations prohibit references to a specific country of origin or production.</p><p>The scaffolding contract was awarded via the same method in November 2016. The steel in the steelwork structures used in supporting the scaffolding on the Tower is primarily sourced from British suppliers.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 12/09/2017 12:46:32 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

756048

registered interest
date	04/09/2017
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Fuels
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs before the announcement of a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7176
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>My Department works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in developing the Government’s response to the shared challenges of improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Government announced an intention to end the sale of all new conventional cars and vans by 2040 as part of the ‘UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations’ (July 2017). My Department engaged closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other relevant departments to draft and agree this Plan, including at Ministerial level.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 12/09/2017 08:25:01 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

756171

registered interest
date	04/09/2017
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	Motor Vehicles: Fuels
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 discussions his Department had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs before the announcement of a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	7175
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2017 answer text <p>The Department works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in developing the Government’s response to the shared challenges of improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Government announced an intention to end the sale of all new conventional cars and vans by 2040 as part of the ‘UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations’ (July 2017). The Department engaged closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport and other relevant departments to draft and agree this plan, including at ministerial level.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 08/09/2017 12:47:16 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

753425

registered interest
date	18/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Type 26 Frigates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral Answer of 10 July 2017, Official Report, column 24, to the hon. Member for Aberavon on the sourcing of steel for Type 26 Frigates, what account was taken of local value on deciding to procure steel from outside the UK.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	5876
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2017 answer text <p>Ensuring that the full value offered by UK steel suppliers can be considered in major projects is a requirement of the guidance issued to central Government departments when conducting their procurement activities. I can confirm that the procurement of steel for the Type 26 programme complied fully with the guidelines.</p><p>Although UK companies were invited to tender for all Type 26 steel through open competition, the combination of thickness, size and flatness specifications of plate steel needed for the Type 26 Frigates means that this cannot be sourced in its entirety from the UK.</p><p>Almost 50 per cent by value of the steel for the first batch of Type 26 ships is being sourced from the UK, primarily from Scotland and Scunthorpe.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 25/07/2017 10:17:43 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

753725

registered interest
date	18/07/2017
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed 2 Line
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an assessment of the accuracy of the costings set out in the report into High Speed 2 by Michael Byng.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	5886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2017 answer text <p>In January, we invited Michael Byng to provide details to substantiate his claims. None have been forthcoming. No Minister has met him or discussed his thoughts on costs.</p><p> </p><p>HS2 Ltd have a robust cost estimation process, which is developed by professional experts and subject to both a rigorous internal and external assurance process.</p><p> </p><p>HS2 is on time, and on budget at £55.7bn. We set that out in the 2015 Spending Review and it has not changed.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 05/09/2017 16:35:17 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

751690

registered interest
date	13/07/2017
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	Non-domestic Rates: Appeals
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what complaints he has received on the new system for contesting Business Rate Appeals; and what steps he has taken in response to those complaints.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	4956
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2017 answer text <p>The new business rates appeals system, Check, Challenge, Appeal came into effect on 1 April 2017. A new system was required because the previous system was broken. Appeals were made with little or no evidence and more than 70% of appeals resulted in no change.</p><p> </p><p>The Check and Challenge service has been delivered by the Valuation Office Agency as a public beta service, meaning that the system is still being improved. The Valuation Office Agency is actively monitoring the service to identify and address any technical issues in the digital system which affect the customer experience. There have been some complaints about technical faults and lack of functionality in relation to the new service, which are being addressed.</p><p> </p><p>The service is now working normally and work delayed through these issues is being cleared. Thousands of people have used the system and both Checks and Challenges are being made. I have been assured by the Valuation Office Agency that enhanced functionality and additional features for the service will be released throughout this financial year.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding the effectiveness and value for money of the online service, it is expected that the new way of working will provide longer-term value for money as issues are dealt with earlier in the process and there is reduced incentive for speculative appeals.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride grouped question UIN 4957 question first answered 20/07/2017 13:46:44 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

751691

registered interest
date	13/07/2017
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	Valuation Office Agency: Internet
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value-for-money of the operation of the Valuation Office Agency website.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	4957
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2017 answer text <p>The new business rates appeals system, Check, Challenge, Appeal came into effect on 1 April 2017. A new system was required because the previous system was broken. Appeals were made with little or no evidence and more than 70% of appeals resulted in no change.</p><p> </p><p>The Check and Challenge service has been delivered by the Valuation Office Agency as a public beta service, meaning that the system is still being improved. The Valuation Office Agency is actively monitoring the service to identify and address any technical issues in the digital system which affect the customer experience. There have been some complaints about technical faults and lack of functionality in relation to the new service, which are being addressed.</p><p> </p><p>The service is now working normally and work delayed through these issues is being cleared. Thousands of people have used the system and both Checks and Challenges are being made. I have been assured by the Valuation Office Agency that enhanced functionality and additional features for the service will be released throughout this financial year.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding the effectiveness and value for money of the online service, it is expected that the new way of working will provide longer-term value for money as issues are dealt with earlier in the process and there is reduced incentive for speculative appeals.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride grouped question UIN 4956 question first answered 20/07/2017 13:46:44 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar