Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

167673

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Administration of Justice
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what support his Department provides to victim and witness support units.
tabling member constituency	North Swindon
tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
uin	217105
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) continues to support the joint police/CPS Witness Care Units (WCUs) through the provision of staff and key case information that allows the unit to support victims and witnesses throughout the progress of their case. The CPS has also recently implemented Victim Liaison Units (VLUs) in every CPS Area. These dedicated units provide victims with clear explanations of CPS decisions about their cases, in line with our Victims’ Code commitments.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Mr Robert Buckland question first answered 10/12/2014 11:31:36 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson

167674

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Tobacco: EU Law
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the revised EU Tobacco Products Directive on the JTI Gallaher factory.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	217070
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>Over regulation, and in particular the new tobacco products directive, have been blamed for the closure of the JTI factory in Ballymena. I believe this is part of a wider picture.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The demand for cigarettes is falling. Smoking rates have continued to decline in the UK. In 1974 almost half of the UK population smoked. Rates had fallen to 18.7% last year. Around 68% of current smokers also want to quit and are increasingly aware of the health harms that smoking causes. The tobacco industry has recognised this declining market and consumer health concerns and are diversifying into electronic cigarettes and ‘heat not burn’ technology.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The directive itself is aimed at harmonising European rules for the marketing of tobacco products to ensure that barriers to trade across the union are minimised for those continuing to trade in this commodity. These new rules include specific measures aimed at protecting trade, with an enhanced track and trace system to be implemented to protect the revenue of legitimate businesses. It is true, and right, that in deciding these trade rules a high level of health protection was sought for all citizens across the EU and the European Commission’s impact assessment accepts that there is likely to be a further reduction in tobacco consumption of 2% as a result of the directive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>However, this is just part of the picture on job losses. Job losses have resulted, in greater measure from the actions of the industry itself, for example from the mechanisation and streamlining of tobacco production than from tobacco control measures implemented by this Government.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department of Health is currently finalising proposals to transpose the revised Tobacco Products Directive into UK law, and will consult on these proposals in early 2015. The Department will consider those proposals in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Norfolk answering member printed George Freeman question first answered 10/12/2014 15:30:24 answering member 4020 label Biography information for George Freeman
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167675

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	New Businesses: Energy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps his Department is taking to provide guidance and assistance to new businesses on maximising energy efficiency measures in their premises.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	217084
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>There are a range of new initiatives businesses can take advantage of, depending on their size and premises, although the Government does not target specific energy efficiency support specifically on new businesses</p><p>The Electricity Demand Reduction Pilot is making a total of up to £20 million available to organisations that deliver electricity savings during winter peak times by installing more efficient equipment.</p><p>The recently introduced Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) makes it mandatory for large enterprises in the UK to measure and audit their energy use. The Scheme will improve awareness within large UK businesses and third-sector bodies of cost-effective energy efficiency steps they can take.</p><p>In order to raise awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency amongst small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in spring 2015 the Government will publish specific guidance, including advice on simple steps to reduce energy consumption. The Government is also taking steps to raise awareness amongst SMEs of the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme as a voluntary tool they can use to identify energy saving opportunities.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hastings and Rye answering member printed Amber Rudd question first answered 11/12/2014 17:03:05 answering member 3983 label Biography information for Amber Rudd previous answer version 32295 answering member constituency Hastings and Rye answering member printed Amber Rudd answering member 3983 label Biography information for Amber Rudd
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

167687

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Department for Culture Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	3G
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to expand the use of 3G communications throughout the UK.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	216973
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>Mobile coverage in the UK is among the best in Europe. Ofcom’s Infrastructure Report 2014 notes that 84% of the UK (outdoors) and 71% of the UK (indoors) has 3G coverage from all operators, with mobile services among the cheapest in Europe. The UK is also experiencing one of the fastest rollouts of 4G mobile broadband services in Europe – with over 70% of premises already having 4G services available from at least one operator and with the operators aiming to reach 98% of premises by the end of 2015.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed Mr Edward Vaizey question first answered 10/12/2014 15:44:58 answering member 1580 label Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

167688

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Postal Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he plans to take to protect the Universal Service Obligation of delivery of mail to every address in the UK.
tabling member constituency	South Antrim
tabling member printed	Dr William McCrea
uin	216981
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>The minimum requirements of the universal postal service – which include the 6 day a week letters service at a uniform price to urban and rural addresses up and down the country – are enshrined and protected in law. Only Parliament can change the minimum requirements of the universal postal service.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Under the Postal Services Act 2011, Parliament has ensured that protection of the universal service is at the very heart of the regulatory regime by giving Ofcom, as an independent regulator, a primary duty to secure the provision of the universal service throughout the UK. Ofcom has the regulatory powers and tools it needs to intervene in the market if the universal service is ever at risk.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ofcom has recently responded to Royal Mail’s concerns over the potential threat of competition to provision of the universal service. Having effectively reviewed and assessed all the evidence on competition in the postal market, including the business plans of Royal Mail and Whistl, it has concluded that the universal postal service is not under any current threat from the effects of competition. They will however continue to track Royal Mail’s performance and any new developments in the market. And as part of an ongoing wider review, they will also be looking at other factors that may affect Royal Mail’s ability to deliver the universal service in the future. More information about Ofcom’s decision can be found on its website (<a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/post/securing-universal-postal-service" target="_blank">http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/post/securing-universal-postal-service</a>).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 10/12/2014 15:26:55 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	655 label Biography information for Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown

167690

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Voluntary Work: Stafford
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many young people in Stafford constituency participated in the National Citizen Service in each of the last two years.
tabling member constituency	Stafford
tabling member printed	Jeremy Lefroy
uin	216977
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>National Citizen Service continues to grow and over 130,000 young people have taken part in the programme since 2011. Data on the programme is held at Local Authority level and in 2013 331 young people participated in Staffordshire, this increased to 470 in 2014.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading East answering member printed Mr Rob Wilson question first answered 10/12/2014 15:28:38 answering member 1556 label Biography information for Mr Rob Wilson
tabling member	4109 label Biography information for Jeremy Lefroy

167692

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Ombudsman
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure that Ombudsman offices across the UK liaise to ensure that best practice on timescales for resolution of complaints is replicated.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	217085
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2014 answer text <p>The main public sector Ombudsmen in the UK meet regularly and work closely together on a range of issues including best practice. Following the Public Administration Select Committee's inquiry into the role of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, I announced my intention to undertake a review of the ombudsman landscape and the case for reform. This work is on-going.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Dorset answering member printed Mr Oliver Letwin question first answered 08/12/2014 17:40:47 answering member 247 label Biography information for Sir Oliver Letwin
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

167694

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Mobile Phones: Radio Frequencies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 1.117 of the Autumn Statement 2014, if he will take steps to compensate Programme Making and Special Event users of spectrum removed from the wavelengths they currently use to facilitate the further clearance of spectrum for mobile use.
tabling member constituency	Mid Worcestershire
tabling member printed	Sir Peter Luff
uin	217056
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>As detailed in the National Infrastructure Plan and Autumn Statement, subject to the development of delivery options by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Ofcom, further details of the change of use of 700MHz spectrum will be set out in 2015. As part of that process, we will look at the impact for Programme Making and Special Events and other current users.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey answering member printed Danny Alexander question first answered 10/12/2014 16:32:06 answering member 1535 label Biography information for Danny Alexander
tabling member	268 label Biography information for Sir Peter Luff

167695

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Mortgages
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make representations at EU level to prevent an EU Mortgage Credit Directive from (a) significantly altering current regulatory practice in the UK and (b) increasing costs and administration for businesses and consumers.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	217072
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p><strong>The UK already has a robust regulatory regime to protect consumers in the UK mortgage market.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Throughout the negotiation of the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD), the UK focused on aligning its requirements as far as possible with the existing UK regulations, with a view to minimising the impact on UK industry and consumers.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>The Government’s proposed approach to the implementation of the MCD, as with the negotiations, is to minimise the impact on the UK market. For this reason the Government is proposing to build on the existing UK regulatory regime in our transposition of the MCD, rather than copy out the Directive into UK legislation.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>This approach is set out in more detail in the Government’s consultation on the Implementation of the EU MCD, which closed on 31 October. A summary of responses to the consultation will be published in due course.</strong></p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 10/12/2014 17:55:54 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167697

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Electronic Publishing: VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the total revenue from taxation levied on e-books, digital magazines and digital newspapers in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the further revenue that will accrue from the forthcoming changes to VAT place of supply rules on those products from 1 January 2015.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Mr Elfyn Llwyd
uin	217126
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2014 answer text <p>No reliable estimate has been possible for the total revenue from VAT levied on e-books in each of the last three years. HMRC estimates that additional revenues as a result of the change to the VAT place of supply rules for telecommunications, broadcasting and e-services for years 2014-15 and 2015-16 will be £70m and £300m respectively.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 08/12/2014 16:41:32 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
tabling member	549 label Biography information for Mr Elfyn Llwyd