\u200bThe British Government has been consistent and clear in public and in private that we wish to see a free, fair and pluralistic election in Bangladesh. I have repeatedly encouraged the Government of Bangladesh and opposition parties to engage in an effective dialogue to this end. Through our High Commission in Dhaka we have also been clear that the Election Commission should be allowed to continue its important work without interference. We have encouraged international observation of the election and the EU has sent an Election Expert Mission. Through Department for International Development funding, the UK is also supporting local observation of the general election. The Foreign Secretary raised his concerns regarding the next election in Bangladesh with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when they met at the UN General Assembly in New York on 24 September. I made the case for a free, fair and participatory election in a meeting with the Bangladesh Information Minister,Tarana Halim, on 14 December.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1405", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Field"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cities of London and Westminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Field"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-18T13:39:11.097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bangladesh: Elections"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure a free and fair election in Bangladesh.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4119", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Reynolds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stalybridge and Hyde"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Reynolds"} ], "uin" : "201191"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/990430", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/990430/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Alternative Remedies Package (ARP) is the package of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)-funded measures agreed in September 2017 between HM Government and the European Commission (EC) as a resolution to RBS\u2019 final State aid commitment to divest the business formerly known as Williams & Glyn.<\/p>
<\/p>
The ARP design and eligibility criteria were agreed with the EC following a period of extensive consultation with financial service providers and UK regulators. Banking Competition Remedies Ltd (BCR) is the independent body established to implement the ARP. Final decisions on award allocation will be made by BCR. The eligibility criteria can be found on BCR\u2019s website (https://bcr-ltd.com/<\/a>).<\/p> <\/p> Non PRA-regulated firms may apply for Pool D of the Capability and Innovation Fund, which makes available £25 million of funding to facilitate the commercialisation of financial technology that is relevant to SMEs.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "181286"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-25T11:43:10.8Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prudential Regulation Authority"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason access to the alternative remedies package has been limited only to applicants authorised by the Prudential Regulatory Authority to take deposits.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4119", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Reynolds"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stalybridge and Hyde"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Reynolds"}
], "uin" : "181284"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/990433", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/990433/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Alternative Remedies Package (ARP) is the package of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)-funded measures agreed in September 2017 between HM Government and the European Commission (EC) as a resolution to RBS\u2019 final State aid commitment to divest the business formerly known as Williams & Glyn.<\/p> <\/p> The ARP design and eligibility criteria were agreed with the EC following a period of extensive consultation with financial service providers and UK regulators. Banking Competition Remedies Ltd (BCR) is the independent body established to implement the ARP. Final decisions on award allocation will be made by BCR. The eligibility criteria can be found on BCR\u2019s website (https://bcr-ltd.com/<\/a>).<\/p> <\/p> Non PRA-regulated firms may apply for Pool D of the Capability and Innovation Fund, which makes available £25 million of funding to facilitate the commercialisation of financial technology that is relevant to SMEs.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "181284"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-25T11:43:10.863Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Royal Bank of Scotland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on access to alternative remedies package funds the employment of senior people historically connected to RBS GRG unit will have.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4119", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Reynolds"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stalybridge and Hyde"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Reynolds"}
], "uin" : "181286"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/972337", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/972337/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The performance benchmarks for both Northern and TransPennine Express are calculated on a 4-weekly period based on a moving annual average rather than assessed against individual days.<\/p> <\/p> There is a re-benchmarking process currently underway to assess the impact on the franchisees\u2019 performance regimes of late the delivery of infrastructure against that assumed in their bids. Once this exercise has been completed, the Department will be able to assess how Northern and TransPennine Express have performed against their targets.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-15T10:46:28.043Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: North of England"}
, "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, how many days (a) Northern and (b) Transpennine Express have achieved their performance targets since the start of its franchise in April 2016.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4119", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Reynolds"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stalybridge and Hyde"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Reynolds"}
], "uin" : "174046"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/943987", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/943987/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Total leakage has fallen by a third since 1994, following investment by water companies. However, there is still more to do.<\/p> <\/p> The 25 year environment plan sets out the Government\u2019s ambitions for reducing demand on water resources. This includes support for Ofwat\u2019s target for water companies to reduce leakage by 15% by 2025.<\/p> <\/p> The Government will respond to the National Infrastructure Commission\u2019s report later this year.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-27T12:37:06.62Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Water Supply"}
, "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, with reference to the report, Preparing for a drier future, England\u2019s water infrastructure needs, published by the National Infrastructure Commission in April 2018, and the recent hosepipe ban in the North West, what steps he is taking to ensure that water companies to reduce the volume of mains water lost to leaks.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4119", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Reynolds"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stalybridge and Hyde"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Reynolds"}
], "uin" : "165557"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/928799", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/928799/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The charge on disguised remuneration (DR) loans was announced at Budget 2016 and has been introduced to tackle the use of DR tax avoidance schemes. These schemes are contrived arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration to avoid income tax and National Insurance contributions. The charge will apply to outstanding DR loan balances on 5 April 2019 to ensure scheme users pay their fair share of tax.<\/p> <\/p> The Government published a consultation document on this policy on 10 August 2016. The Government received 338 written responses to the consultation, of which 260 were from individuals and 78 from organisations including businesses, and professional bodies. A list of the organisations which responded can be found at Annex A of the \u2018Tackling disguised remuneration: Technical note and summary of responses document\u2019. This can be found here:<\/p>