UK Armed Forces (Iraq)

Debate between Andrew Stephenson and Michael Fallon

Monday 15th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

As the hon. Lady knows, everything that we are doing in Iraq is either at the request or with the permission of the Iraqi authorities. As for the location of any training effort, it has yet to be decided. The coalition is considering a number of sites divided between the Kurdish and southern areas and areas around Baghdad, but we have yet to finalise exactly which country is likely to offer further training where.

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

There have been reports that, in addition to those in the countries mentioned by my right hon. Friend, Iranian military advisers are playing key roles in the fight against ISIL. Can my right hon. Friend tell us more about how the efforts of such a diverse range of international military advisers are being co-ordinated on the ground?

[Michael Fallon]

I can assure my hon. Friend that we are not co-ordinating efforts with Iran, but more than 40 countries are now involved in the international coalition, a number of which have made significant training offers. We are considering—scoping—what training offer we might be able to make, in addition to those that have already been made.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Stephenson and Michael Fallon

Thursday 6th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

T5. Pendle businesses were delighted when the Government published the draft assisted area status map back in December, proposing to include part of Pendle for the first time. The current map, drawn up under the previous Government in 2007, did not include a single part of Pendle, yet the new map will include about 50% of the borough. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the progress in bringing the new map into force?

[Michael Fallon]

I am glad that my hon. Friend is pleased with the draft map. The Government are considering responses made in stage two of the assisted areas consultation to the draft map and the final map for 2014 to 2020 is due to come into effect on 1 July this year.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Stephenson and Michael Fallon

Thursday 16th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

As I explained earlier, money will be made available from shale gas exploration for local communities and it will be up to local communities to decide in which projects to invest it. We are already taking action to improve the position of those who happen to be off grid, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has explained, through better identification and data sharing through the agencies and by encouraging earlier and collective purchasing schemes.

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking to protect the fuel poor whilst seeking to reduce energy bills.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Stephenson and Michael Fallon

Thursday 11th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to encourage shale gas exploration in Lancashire.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Michael Fallon)]

The Government are creating the right framework to accelerate shale gas development in a responsible way, ensuring regulation is robust as well as streamlined and that communities share in the benefits which are created. Cuadrilla announced its updated exploration programme in Lancashire last week.

[Andrew Stephenson]

The British Geological Survey study of shale gas resources in Lancashire has doubled previous estimates of reserves and extended the potential drilling area right across to the east of the county. Although shale gas exploration and extraction has huge potential benefits to the UK economy, the people who live above need to see a real community benefit. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on his plans to ensure that that happens?

[Michael Fallon]

We are accelerating the search for shale, streamlining and simplifying the technical guidance for exploration permits, publishing clearer planning rules and consulting next week on fiscal incentives to encourage exploration and production. Later this year the developers charter will commit developers to earlier engagement with local communities and ensure that local areas that host shale benefit financially, directly and significantly.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Stephenson and Michael Fallon

Thursday 7th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

6. What assessment he has made of the effect of the regional growth fund on job creation in the north-west.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon)]

To date, 59 projects in the north-west have been awarded a total of £225 million. In addition, £153 million has been granted to 16 programmes, specifically aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the region. Taken together, this money will help create tens of thousands of jobs in the north-west.

[Andrew Stephenson]

The regional growth fund has been a great help to businesses across Lancashire and the north-west. In the next round my right hon. Friend can expect to see some excellent bids from Pendle. Will he confirm that he will look closely at these fantastic bids? If they are approved, they will be a real boost to Pendle and east Lancashire.

[Michael Fallon]

I certainly will. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding the House that the fourth round of the regional growth fund is now open. I urge any colleague in the House to encourage potential applicants to apply before 20 March, not least because the fund is proving good value for money. In the north-west it is leveraging in some £5.50 for every £1 of public money spent—some 10 times the proportion of the unlamented regional development agency.