Written Statements

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

Thursday 10 March 2016

Enterprise Bill

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise (Anna Soubry)]

I am today placing in the Libraries of both Houses the Department’s analysis on the application of Standing Order 83L in respect of the non-Government amendment passed at Commons Report stage for the Enterprise Bill.

[HCWS599]

National Measurement and Regulation Office

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade (Sajid Javid)]

I wish to inform the House of a change regarding the future of the National Measurement and Regulation Office.

The National Measurement and Regulation Office has responsibility for simplifying technical regulation for the benefit of British businesses through its legal metrology, hallmarking, technical services and enforcement activities.

The National Measurement and Regulation Office currently operates as an Executive agency and is sponsored by the Better Regulation Delivery Office, a directorate within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Over the last 12 months, the National Measurement and Regulation Office has worked closely with the Better Regulation Delivery Office to improve the regulatory environment, saving money for business and the state, reducing burdens and improving outcomes.

I wish to take this further by bringing the work of the National Measurement and Regulation Office and the Better Regulation Delivery Office together into a single combined directorate—the Regulatory Delivery directorate.

The National Measurement and Regulation Office will cease to operate as an executive agency from the 31 March 2016. The functions and staff of the National Measurement and Regulation Office will transfer to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The new Regulatory Delivery directorate will report to the Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise. It will operate as a regulatory centre of excellence, ensuring that the way regulation is enforced is proportionate and risk based. It will support British business, ensuring there is the right protection, confidence and equity for businesses as well as simplifying a complicated regulatory landscape.

The new directorate will deliver existing functions of the National Measurement and Regulation Office and the Better Regulation Delivery Office, such as primary authority, better business for all, metrology, hallmarking policy, technical and enforcement work.

[HCWS600]

Air Cadet Aviation Relaunch

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Julian Brazier)]

In April 2014 all Air Cadet Organisation gliding was paused due to airworthiness concerns with the Grob Viking conventional glider and Grab Vigilant motorglider fleets utilised by the air cadet Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS).

Substantial operational, technical and commercial negotiations with a range of aerospace leaders in this field have failed to find a value for money approach to successfully repair and recover all 146 gliders. Consequently a comprehensive Air Cadet Organisation review has proposed restructuring this activity. It has been decided that the best value for money solution is to recover at least 73 Vikings, a reduced vigilant fleet of up to 15 aircraft, combined with an uplift to Grob Tutor fixed wing air experience flights (AEFs).

The reduced glider fleet will be operated by significantly fewer, but larger, VGS, which will have a regional focus and be better integrated with synthetic training and increased AEF locations. The number of Grob Tutor aircraft beyond 2017 for AEF/ University Air Squadron (UAS) use will go from 45 to 70 airframes, enabling the enlargement of existing AEFs and the formation of two new AEFs. Regional VGS hubs, which have the facility to provide overnight accommodation, will be also created across the UK.

The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be disbanded are: 611 Squadron currently based at RAF Honington, 612 Squadron currently based Dalton Barracks (Abingdon), 613 Squadron currently based at RAF Halton, 616 Squadron currently based at RAF Henlow, 618 Squadron currently based at RAF Odiham, 624 Squadron currently based at RMB Chivenor, 633 Squadron currently based at RAF Cosford, 634 Squadron currently based at MOD St Athan, 635 Squadron currently based at RAF Topcliffe, 636 Squadron currently based at Swansea Airport, 642 Squadron currently based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, 662 Squadron currently based at RMB Arbroath, 663 Squadron currently based at Kinloss Barracks and 664 Squadron currently based at Newtownards.

The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be retained are the Central Gliding School and 644 Squadron currently based at RAF Syerston, 614 Squadron currently based at MDP Wethersfield, 615 Squadron currently based at RAF Kenley, 622 Squadron currently based at Trenchard Lines Upavon, 626 Squadron currently based at RNAS Predannack, 631 Squadron currently based at RAF Woodvale, 632 Squadron currently based at RAF Ternhill, 637 Squadron currently based at RAF Little Rissington, 661 Squadron currently based at RAF Kirknewton and 645 Squadron currently based at Topcliffe (from October 2019). 621 Squadron currently based at Hullavington will be retained at RNAS Merryfield.

As part of this process, a number of regional gliding hubs are to be created. We also expect that two new air experience flights will be created, 13 AEF and 14 AEF. It is anticipated that 14 AEF will be located in Northern Ireland.

While work is undertaken to set up this new structure, the future locations of these squadrons remains subject to the outcome of MOD estate rationalisation due to announce later this year. While it is likely that many squadrons will remain at their current locations, we are working to ensure that, where this is not the case, flying opportunities will be made available to cadet units within their region and any new locations will be as geographically close to the existing locations as possible.

We recognise that this means that some uncertainty will remain for our cadets, but we are confident that this new structure will maximise flying opportunities for them.

As VGS are run by volunteer staffs, this will not result in any job losses, albeit volunteering options will be affected. The RAF is extremely grateful for the volunteers that support each VGS; without this support air cadet gliding would not be possible. Consequently we will develop a crossover plan which will enable many volunteer gliding instructors who become surplus on affected VGS to convert to Viking; transfer to a formally established ground cadre within a VGS; transfer their instructional skill sets into the units of the mainstream Air Cadet Organisation; or to retrain to fly the Grob Tutor in the expanded AEF construct.

The RAF remains committed to air cadet flying and will ultimately increase investment in the VGS and AEF sites which will remain to include the provision of residential accommodation for cadets and staff. This will enable those cadet units which have to travel greater distances to the VGS to undertake a residential weekend, with better associated force development and ground training opportunities alongside the gliding and flying. With the introduction of glider simulators, funded by the RAF charitable trust, the Air Cadet Organisation have developed a common syllabus for cadet flying which better integrates and allocates cadet flying opportunities between realistic synthetic flight simulation, glider flying and an uplift of AEF flights.

We will make a further statement when we can say more on basing.

[HCWS605]

Energy Bill: Memorandum of Updated Analysis of EVEL

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Andrea Leadsom)]

I am pleased to announce the publication of updated analysis of the Energy Bill for the purposes of English votes for English laws.

The English votes for English laws process applies to public Bills in the House of Commons. To support the process, the Government have agreed that they will provide information to assist the Speaker in considering whether to certify that Bill or any of its provisions for the purposes of English votes for English laws.

The memorandum provides an assessment of tabled Government amendments, for the purposes of English votes for English laws, ahead of Commons report. The Department’s assessment is the amendments do not change the territorial application of the Bill.

This analysis reflects the position should all the Government amendments be accepted.

The memorandum can be found on the Bill documents page of the Parliament website at: http://services. parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/energy/documents.html and I have deposited a copy in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS598]

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss)]

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 14 March in Brussels. I will be representing the UK.

Also in attendance will be the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP; the Northern Irish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill MLA; and the Welsh Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans AM.

The following items will be discussed:

The primary focus on fisheries will be the adoption of a European Court of Auditors report entitled: “Are the Fisheries Partnership Agreements well managed by the Commission?”, as well as a political agreement on the management of sandeel through the establishment of a total allowable catch for 2016.

The primary focus on agriculture will be a presentation by the Commission and an exchange of views on present market situations, and the use of financial instruments in the agriculture sector. The adoption of a report entitled: “EU support to timber-producing countries under the FLEGT action plan” is also tabled.

The UK has tabled an any other business item on the simplification of CAP audits. I will be encouraging the Commission and other member states to take a fresh look at the way in which we audit and control the common agricultural policy in order to simplify arrangements and reduce the burdens placed on farmers while providing proper protection for public money.

There are currently two additional confirmed any other business items tabled for this Council:

“Hybrid” nutritional labelling system—tabled by the various delegations.

High-level meeting on African swine flu—tabled by Estonia.

[HCWS601]

Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Council

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will attend the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 March and I will attend the General Affairs Council on 15 March. The Foreign Affairs Council will be chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the General Affairs Council will be chaired by the Dutch presidency. The meetings will be held in Brussels.

Foreign Affairs Council

The agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is expected to include Libya, Russia, Iran and the middle east peace process.

Libya

The FAC will take stock of the latest developments in the UN-led political process and assess where the EU can provide support. The UK and international partners continue to urge swift Libyan endorsement of the Government of national accord (GNA). We will highlight the need for the EU’s support package to take migration activity into account and encourage planning to be co-ordinated with the UN.

Russia

Ministers will discuss the EU’s relationship with Russia, both in the immediate and longer term. We expect ministers to underline the importance of continued EU unity.

Iran

Ministers are expected to exchange views on Iran following implementation day of the nuclear deal and the lifting of nuclear-related economic sanctions. We also expect Ministers to discuss the EU’s developing bilateral relationship with Iran and the opportunities and challenges this will bring.

Middle east peace process

Ministers are expected to discuss what more the EU can do to encourage progress in the middle east peace process.

General Affairs Council

The General Affairs Council (GAC) on 15 March is expected to focus on European Council follow up, preparation of the 17-18 March European Council, European semester, the inter-institutional agreement on better regulation and cohesion policy.

European Council follow up

The GAC will discuss the implementation of conclusions adopted at previous European Councils.

Preparation of the March European Council

The GAC will prepare the draft conclusions for the 17-18 March European Council, which the Prime Minister will attend. The March European Council agenda covers migration and will discuss priorities for the 2016 European semester.

European semester

There will be a short debate on the priorities for the 2016 European semester, which will focus on the country reports published by the Commission on 26 February. The UK report, which is overall positive, includes analysis of the economic situation, Government policies, macro-economic imbalances and wider structural issues. There may also be a discussion on steps taken under the excessive deficit procedure and macroeconomic imbalance procedure.

Inter-institutional agreement on better regulation (IIA)

The GAC will vote to adopt the IIA and will also discuss the implementation of the legislative programming element of the IIA.

Cohesion policy

At the end of 2015, the Commission published a report setting out how member states had agreed to spend the European structural and investment funds allocated to them, as required under article 16 of the common provisions regulation (EU 1303/2013). The EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, will formally present the article 16 report and the Council conclusions will be adopted.

[HCWS604]

Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

Section 19(1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (the Act) requires the Secretary of State to report to Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of every relevant three-month period on the exercise of her TPIM powers under the Act during that period.

The level of information provided will always be subject to slight variations based on operational advice.

HS2 Phase One Hybrid Bill Select Committee Report

Thursday 10th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mr Robert Goodwill)]

I am today publishing the Department’s response to the second special report from the Select Committee for the HS2 Phase One hybrid Bill that was published on 22 February 2016.

The Select Committee was tasked with considering petitions from those specially and directly affected by the Bill and subsequent additional provisions to the Bill. Their second special report marked the culmination of over 18 months of Committee deliberations which began in July 2014. Over the course of the Select Committee process, 2586 petitions were lodged against the original Bill and the subsequent five additional provisions to the Bill. The Select Committee heard approximately 1,600 of those petitions in formal session, with the remainder withdrawing, or choosing not to appear before the Select Committee, mainly as a result of successful prior negotiation with HS2 Ltd.

Where the Select Committee considered it appropriate to do so, they suggested modifications to the Bill powers, the provision of specific undertakings and assurances to petitioners or the provision of additional mitigation works. During the Select Committee process, five additional provisions were made to the Bill and many of these contained further mitigation measures that were agreed with petitioners and the Select Committee during the course of the hearings. The Select Committee’s recent report summarises their hearings and contains further general recommendations as well as recommendations on specific petitions in relation to those issues where they felt an intervention was required.

In responding to the Select Committee, we have endeavoured to be as constructive as possible and have similarly aimed to confine our responses to those areas of the report where it seemed beneficial to note our agreement to the recommendation or to offer a clarification, where appropriate.

Alongside the response to the Select Committee report, we are also publishing a number of additional documents today. These are the Statement Of Reasons Command Paper, an equalities impact assessment consultation response report, together with supporting documents and a water framework directive assessment update.

The Statement Of Reasons Command Paper, which is entitled the “Government overview of the case for HS2 Phase One and its environmental impacts”, is required by Parliamentary Standing Order 224A in order to assist the House during the third Reading of the HS2 Phase One hybrid Bill. This document summarises the work that has already been done to assess, control and mitigate the environmental impacts of HS2 Phase One, and explains why the Government continue to take the view that the HS2 Phase One project is worthy of its support.

Two equalities impact assessment (EQIA) updates were published for consultation in 2015 to take account of changes to the Phase One Bill scheme made by the additional provisions to the Bill. The summary report that is being published today provides HS2 Ltd’s response to issues raised by consultation responses received on the two EQIA updates. I am also placing some supporting documents into the Libraries of both Houses and these are the original hybrid Bill EQIA, the EQIA update consultations for Euston and the update consultation on the remainder of the Phase One route and the summaries of responses to both consultations.

The Phase One hybrid Bill was assessed for compliance against the water framework directive (WFD) objectives in a series of published documents. Since then, the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled in favour of a challenge against a WFD objective assessment process. In doing so, the Court of Justice clarified the way in which compliance with the directive’s key environmental objectives should be interpreted in the assessment of new developments and scheme proposals. In light of the ruling, the WFD assessment for the proposed scheme has been reviewed and updated and we are publishing this today.

Copies of the response to the Select Committee can be found on the www.gov.uk website. Copies of the statement of reasons, the equalities impact assessment consultation response report, together with supporting documents, and the water framework directive assessment update will be made available in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS602]