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 grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

114738

registered interest
date	05/11/2014
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	Spain
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 discussions he has had with the government of Catalonia; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	213612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>I have not had any recent discussions with the Government of Catalonia.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 17/12/2014 13:35:37 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

105876

registered interest
date	03/11/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Afghanistan
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent representations he has received from the Afghan government on the use of the Royal Air Force to provide close air support for the Afghan National Security forces.
tabling member constituency	Moray
tabling member printed	Angus Robertson
uin	213144
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>To date, the Afghanistan Government has made no formal representations to the Secretary of State on the use of the Royal Air Force to provide close air support to the Afghan National Security Forces.</p> answering member constituency Rayleigh and Wickford answering member printed Mr Mark Francois grouped question UIN 217756 218556 question first answered 17/12/2014 17:35:53 answering member 1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois previous answer version 29876 answering member constituency Rayleigh and Wickford answering member printed Mr Mark Francois answering member 1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois
tabling member	1433 label Biography information for Angus Robertson

101732

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Population
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what policies they have to reduce the population size of the United Kingdom.
tabling member printed	Lord Laird
uin	HL2541
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>We are clear that uncontrolled immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion, puts pressure on public services and can drive down wages for people on low incomes.</p><p>That is why across government we are working hard to bring net migration down and address the factors which draw people to the UK for the wrong reasons. This government has clamped down on nearly 800 bogus colleges, slashed 45,000 visas from the further education route; and cut family visas by nearly a third since it came to power. Our reforms have cut net migration from outside the EU by nearly a quarter since 2010 – close to levels not seen since the late 1990s.</p><p>Our reforms have also made it more difficult for EU migrants to claim benefits in the UK and, through the landmark Immigration Act, made it tougher for illegal immigrants to remain by restricting access to work, housing, benefits, healthcare, bank accounts and driving licences and making it easier to remove those who have no right to be here by reducing the number of appeals.</p><p>On 28 November the Prime Minister made a speech in which he set out a number of measures a future Conservative Government would take to address EU migration to the UK. The measures proposed include a four year residency requirement before an EU national can access in-work benefits or social housing in the UK, the removal of child benefit for non-resident children of EU nationals, and stronger powers to deport EU criminals and tackle abuse.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 10/12/2014 14:07:17 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	2479 label Biography information for Lord Laird

101863

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
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	Lighting
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 make it his policy to implement a replacement programme to introduce LED lighting throughout his Department's buildings and sites; if he will estimate the proportion of lighting in his Department which is LED; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Colchester
tabling member printed	Sir Bob Russell
uin	212625
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to meeting the Greener Government Commitments and to reducing the energy use of its operations. As part of that commitment the FCO continues to replace all obsolete light fittings and fittings that are affected by major refurbishment projects with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), provided a suitable LED variant is available and it represents the best solution for the application.</p><p>Currently the estimated proportion of LEDs within the FCO’s UK estate is:</p><p>Carlton Gardens = 65%<br>Hanslope Park = 5%<br>King Charles Street = 20%<br>Lancaster House = 70%<br>Northgate House = 13%<br>Old Admiralty Building = 4%</p><p>These figures will increase significantly as more LEDs are installed in King Charles Street as part of the FCO’s UK Estate Reform Project, due for completion in 2015. In addition, the FCO’s forward maintenance programme continues to identify any additional areas where LEDs or improved lighting systems can be introduced as more cost effective applications.</p><p>This response relates to the FCO’s UK estate only. To provide answers on behalf of the FCO’s Diplomatic Missions would incur a disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 17/12/2014 13:53:41 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	35 label Biography information for Sir Bob Russell

101624

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Public Opinion
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department spent on (a) focus groups and (b) surveys in (i) 2013 and (ii) 2014 to date.
tabling member constituency	Croydon North
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Reed
uin	212510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p>In answer to the first part of your question, the department is unable to provide spend on focus groups. The data is not held centrally, and to attempt to collect the information would engage the disproportionate costs threshold.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As to the second part of your question, I can confirm that the total spend on surveys by the department in 2013, and up to 31 October 2014 is as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year April 13-March 14</p></td><td><p>Financial Year April 14-March 15</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>10,604.40</p></td><td><p>10,604.40</p></td><td><p>Spend</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This compares to £25,203.50 in 2008/09.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 09/12/2014 16:57:54 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
tabling member	4268 label Biography information for Steve Reed

100669

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Pensions: Tax Allowances
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 643W, on tax allowance pensions, what proportion of income tax relief on contributions accrued to, or is expected to accrue to, individuals with an annual income of (a) up to £19,999, (b) between £20,000 and £44,999, (c) between £45,000 and £74,999, (d) between £75,000 and £99,999, (e) between £100,000 and £149,999 and (f) over £150,000 in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	211726
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>The proportion of the cost of income tax relief on pension contributions for the given income ranges, and years, is provided in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td colspan="6"><p><strong>% of the cost of income tax relief on contributions</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Income bands</strong></p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Up to £19,999</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>6%</p></td><td><p>5%</p></td><td><p>6%</p></td><td><p>5%</p></td><td><p>5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Between £20,000 and £44,999</p></td><td><p>31%</p></td><td><p>32%</p></td><td><p>35%</p></td><td><p>37%</p></td><td><p>37%</p></td><td><p>36%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Between £45,000 and £74,999</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td><td><p>26%</p></td><td><p>28%</p></td><td><p>32%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>34%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Between £75,000 and £99,999</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>10%</p></td><td><p>10%</p></td><td><p>10%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Between £100,000 and £149,999</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>£150,000 or more</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>18%</p></td><td><p>14%</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>All</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Estimates are based on Surveys of Personal Incomes with projections for 2012-13 onwards. Historical estimates have been updated to take into account the latest outturn data and updated projections. Projected years are subject to uncertainty.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The effect of the reductions in the Annual Allowance in 2011‑12 and Lifetime Allowance from 2012-13, as well as further reductions in both allowances in 2014-15 are reflected in the table. These restrictions mostly affect individuals with incomes over £150,000 hence the drop in share of tax relief for these individuals in latter years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Increases in the Personal Allowance (from £6,475 in 2009-10 to £10,000 in 2014-15) cause a decline in the share of income tax relief going to those in the “Up to £19,999” income band. The higher personal allowance reduces the amount of income subject to tax for these individuals, hence also reduces their share of tax relief.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke grouped question UIN 215992 question first answered 10/12/2014 11:15:08 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

100804

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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	Security Guards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department spent on private security companies in each year since 2010; and what the contractual arrangements were with each such company.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	211816
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>The FCO has spent the following amounts with PSC (Private Security Companies) year by year since 2010: 2010/2011:2011/2012:2012/2013:2013/2014 G4S: £28,916,168 :£30,081,113:£31,391,478:£35,285,387 Control Risks Group: £453,477:£5,573,212:£920,281:£1,208,369 Aegis: £4,211:£183,516:£563,184:£556,920 Minimal Risk :£1,951,611:£1,744,356:£2,122,113:£1,707,150 Gardaworld :£17,291,485:£16,381,944:£17,498,010:£,342,201 PSCs are contracted in a number of countries to carry out a variety of activities and duties including the static protection of premises and the close protection of personnel. They play a vital and necessary protective role in hostile environments, and enable the Government and partner organisations to carry out their work by providing essential security services.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 13:56:24 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100375

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
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	Occupied Territories
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 support proposals in the EU to take action against the Israeli government if it does not rescind the appropriation of 990 acres in Gush Etzion in the West Bank.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame M. Morris
uin	211443
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>We are strongly opposed to any attempts to change the facts on the ground in the West Bank by increasing the number of settlers living there. Such acts raise tensions and undermine prospects for peace. During my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 5-8 October, I discussed my strong concerns about the issue of settlements and land expropriation with the Israeli Justice Minister on 6 October. Discussions are continuing in Brussels on how the EU can best discourage settlement expansion, and the UK is working closely with other Member States to that end.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 13:58:33 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

100392

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
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	Africa
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	211510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office carries out regular assessments of United Nations peacekeeping missions. These assessments enable us to make recommendations for improvements and influences our negotiating position in the Security Council when drafting or renewing peacekeeping mandates. Nine out of the current sixteen United Nations peacekeeping missions are in Africa. All the missions in Africa face distinctive challenges as a result of the changing nature of the conflicts they are facing, the environment in which they operate or the capacity and capability of their personnel. Peacekeepers are likely to face violence, insurgency, terrorism and the absence of credible state authority. We welcome the announcement in June, by the United Nations Secretary General, of a review of United Nations peacekeeping. The UK will make an active contribution.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 14:04:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

99799

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Veterans: Wales
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken since the Government response to the Second Report of Session 2012-13 from the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, Support for Armed Forces Veterans in Wales, to strengthen policies regarding after care services for veterans.
tabling member constituency	Aberconwy
tabling member printed	Guto Bebb
uin	211163
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2014 answer text <p>Primary responsibility for the care of veterans lies with the NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations. The Armed Forces Covenant makes clear that veterans should enjoy the same standard of healthcare by the NHS as any other UK citizen in the area where they live, and receive priority, subject to the clinical needs of others, for conditions resulting from Service. The NHS and the Devolved Administrations are fully signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, and the NHS in England is mandated to meet this commitment.</p><p>The vast majority of Service leavers are fit and well, and no individual who is injured in the course of their duty will leave the Armed Forces until it is right for them to do so, however long that takes. For those who are being discharged with serious medical conditions, the Transition Protocol is in place to ensure continuity of care wherever the veteran resides in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 15/12/2014 17:24:38 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry previous answer version 24594 answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	3910 label Biography information for Guto Bebb