My Department works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in developing the Government\u2019s 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 \u2018UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations\u2019 (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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-12T10:08:18.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "7177"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/755759", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/755759/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We take the issue of illegal trafficking of puppies very seriously.<\/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>
Defra\u2019s 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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "9107"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-15T14:44:30.58Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animals: Smuggling"} , "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 are being taken at ports to tackle illegal smuggling of puppies and other animals into the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "7280"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/755760", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/755760/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-12T13:23:49.727Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Dogs: Smuggling"} , "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, 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "7281"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/755949", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/755949/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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\u2019s 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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Brake"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carshalton and Wallington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Tom Brake"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-12T12:46:32.133Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "18"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Big Ben: Repairs and Maintenance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "7409"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753425", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753425/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-25T10:17:43.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Type 26 Frigates"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "5876"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753725", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753725/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-05T16:35:17.013Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "High Speed 2 Line"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "5886"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751690", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751690/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
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>
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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "4957"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-20T13:46:44.17Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "4956"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751691", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751691/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
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>
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>
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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "4956"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-20T13:46:44.283Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Valuation Office Agency: Internet"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "4957"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749285", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749285/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is committed to creating a secure and clear democracy that works for everyone and, as part of this, wants to ensure that fraud is stamped out in elections. Any instance of electoral fraud is one instance too many.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> The Electoral Commission publishes annual analysis of electoral fraud on their website. (http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/electoral-fraud/data-and-analysis?)<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> Further breakdown and analysis of information on electoral fraud is available in the reports.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4021", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Skidmore"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingswood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Skidmore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-13T14:01:29.533Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Elections: Fraud"}
, "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, with reference to his oral contribution of 5 July 2017, Official Report, column 1151, how many of the 2394 alleged cases of electoral fraud since 2010 led to a (a) police investigation, (b) charge, (c) court case and (d) conviction.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"}
], "uin" : "3390"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/746981", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/746981/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government publishes its procurement guidance on the Gov.UK website. In particular the \u2018Procurement Policy Note 09/16 sets out a balanced scorecard approach which enables procurers to balance straightforward matters such as cost against more complex issues such as social and wider economic considerations.<\/p>