Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the threat posed to UK forces by pro-Iran militia in Iraq.
Answered by James Heappey
Iranian-inspired militia activity in Iraq poses an ongoing threat to Coalition forces. We have been clear that these attacks, and the threat of the attacks, harm Iraq's peace, stability and prosperity. We continue to work with the Government of Iraq to promote stability and reduce the threat of further attacks by these groups.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom and broadcasters on supporting Gaelic language television.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government has a strong record of demonstrating its commitment to minority language broadcasting to ensure that our broadcasting sector services all audiences of the UK nations and regions.
In particular, the government has embedded a duty to regional and minority languages within the BBC’s general duties under the current Charter, with a further set of responsibilities in the Framework Agreement.
Ministers regularly meet Ofcom and broadcasters to discuss a wide range of issues.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assistance the Government is providing to newly arrived Afghan nationals seeking to enter employment.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Those coming from Afghanistan to the UK on the resettlement programmes will have the right to work here from day one, as well as immediate access to the benefit system and our existing employment offer, including our £30 billion Plan for Jobs.
Direct, personalised support is available from experienced work coaches in the temporary hotel accommodation where Afghans are staying across the country. Work coaches are there to help with any claims or queries and to provide tailored employment support. Resettling Afghans will also have access to our Refugee Leads Network, which links Jobcentres and organisations working with refugees and those on resettlement programmes, to help them integrate and find employment in local areas. We will also work to ensure that English as a Second or Other Language provision, and other support, is available to those that need it.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he work with (a) Moray and (b) Aberdeenshire Councils to help ensure that the dualling of the A96 between Inverurie and Inverness goes ahead.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Roads within Scotland are the responsibility of the Scottish Government. However, the Department is willing to collaborate, where appropriate, on matters benefitting people across the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the super deduction to unincorporated businesses.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The super-deduction is available only to incorporated businesses subject to the charge of UK corporation tax.
The Government has no plans to extend the super-deduction to unincorporated businesses.
Unincorporated businesses can continue to claim 100% relief on qualifying investments in plant and machinery through the Annual Investment Allowance, which will remain at its highest ever level of £1 million until the end of 2021.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) the EU, (b) the US, (c) Canada and (d) Israel on their classification of Hamas as a terror group in its entirety.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The UK Government does not routinely comment on intelligence matters.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department takes to distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas; and if she will review her assessment of the functions of Hamas' Political Bureau.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The UK Government does not routinely comment on intelligence matters.
While we work closely with our international partners in the global fight against terrorism, any executive action must be underpinned by intelligence which satisfies the UK’s criminal and statutory thresholds.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, following on from the Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) review by the Care Quality Commission in England, which found 508 cases where decisions had been taken which may have broken the Equality Act 2010, if he will order a similar review into DNACPR decisions in Scotland.
Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland
DHSC has been clear that blanket application of DNACPRs is unacceptable and that standards and quality of care should be maintained even in pressurised circumstances.
It is important that we work across the health and care system, throughout the whole of the UK, to build understanding of the role DNACPR decisions play in high quality personalised care. Any advanced care decisions, including DNACPRs, must be discussed with patients and families, who must be given all the relevant information and any critical decisions must be made on an individual basis.
As Public Health is a devolved matter, I would call on the incoming Scottish Government, following Scottish elections in May, to listen to patients, families and care organisations who have serious concerns about the use of DNACPR orders during the covid pandemic.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to increase fishing opportunities for UK fishing organisations in Icelandic waters ahead of full ratification of the trade continuity agreement between the UK and Iceland.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The UK has not held fishing opportunities in Icelandic waters for many years. Nevertheless, we remain open to the possibility of securing fishing opportunities in Icelandic waters, should the conditions be appropriate.
The UK and Iceland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhancing cooperation within fisheries on 11 November 2020. We are currently developing plans to hold the first Fisheries Dialogue envisaged by that MoU later in 2021.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
What plans his Department has to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Robin Walker
Northern Ireland’s centenary is an anniversary of profound significance, providing an important opportunity to facilitate national recognition and international awareness. It is also the centenary of the United Kingdom as we know it today and hence of importance to every part of our country.
It presents a unique opportunity to boost the economy as we promote Northern Ireland as an attractive place to live, visit and do business.
We have provided £3m of funding to mark the centenary, including a £1m Shared History Fund to support the engagement of a wide range of arts, heritage and community groups. We will be sharing further details of our centenary plans over the coming weeks.