Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to SB6 of the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (Rhododendron Control), how many agreements have been reached to date; how many hectares are covered by those agreements; and how many hectares has rhododendron successfully been removed from.
Answered by Mark Spencer
Rhododendron ponticum is one of the most damaging invasive plants in the UK; it prevents woodland regeneration and destroys the natural understorey which has consequent impacts on birds and invertebrates. Countryside Stewardship (CS) option SB6 supports the control of rhododendrons, reducing the negative effect this can have on a site.
There are 487 CS agreements containing SB6, which cover a total of 2,615 hectares. SB6 is a CS capital item and can only be claimed once the work has been completed, to date 1,462 hectares of Rhododendrons have been removed.
In addition to the existing SB6 capital item, we will be introducing a revenue item later this year to support continued control of rhododendron once initial control has been undertaken. Some further information can be found within Technical annex: The combined environmental land management offer - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the SB6 Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier grant for rhododendron control.
Answered by Mark Spencer
We are committed to reviewing all actions in Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive, on a phased basis over time. As part of the reviews, we will take into account comments from farmers and stakeholders and ensure guidance is appropriate.
Rhododendron ponticum is one of the most damaging invasive plants in the UK; it prevents woodland regeneration and destroys the natural understorey which has consequent impacts on birds and invertebrates. In addition to the existing SB6 capital item, we will be introducing a revenue item later this year to support continued control of rhododendron once initial control has been undertaken.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many complaints NHS England have received relating to the adequacy of bowel care provided to people with neurogenic bowel disorders in the last 12 months; and what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that patients receive (a) timely and (b) appropriate care.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
NHS England has not received any direct complaints relating to the adequacy of bowel care provided to people with neurogenic bowel disorders resulting from a spinal cord injury in the last 12 months. Complaints about clinical care should be directed to the hospital providing the care, which would be able to conduct the necessarily investigations.
To help ensure that patients with neurogenic bowel receive timely and appropriate care, NHS England has developed a range of guidance, including its Excellence in Continence Care guidance. NHS England has also published a service specification for spinal cord injury services, which makes specific reference to bowel care. It outlines that patients with spinal injury should be provided with advice and care by specialist nursing staff in specialist fields, including in the field of bladder and bowel management. In addition, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on faecal incontinence set out the care that patients with neurogenic bowel should receive, including a neurological bowel management programme.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether his Department plans to take steps to help preserve religious freedom in Jerusalem for minority Christians.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We are encouraging the Israeli Government to do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in its laws. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise issues of religious freedom with both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports of (a) violence and (b) land repossession against Armenian Christians in Jerusalem; and whether his Department plans to take steps to help preserve the Armenian community presence in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK is monitoring the situation and is clear on the need to avoid any further rise in tensions. British Consulate General staff in Jerusalem met members of the community earlier this year, discussed the current situation, and visited relevant sites in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The UK is a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and an advocate for the integrity of culturally important areas to be respected.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the National Cycle Network in providing access to nature.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
The National Cycle Network spans 12,000 miles of signed routes for walking, wheeling and cycling including over 5,000 miles of traffic-free paths. Since 2018, the Government has provided over £80m to Sustrans to upgrade the National Cycle Network. Upgrades include moving routes from busy roads, improved surfacing and better accessibility, helping to increase access to green spaces for all and benefiting both physical and mental health.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mentioning the National Cycle Network in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Answered by Lee Rowley
The National Planning Policy Framework does currently state that planning policies should “provide for attractive and well-designed walking and cycling networks with supporting facilities which are designed to promote active travel”. We will certainly bear in mind my Hon Friend’s views for further updates.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the relationship between the National Cycle Network and local cycle routes.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Department for Transport has not undertaken an assessment of the adequacy of the relationship between the National Cycle Network (NCN) and local cycle routes, but we are working to improve this situation.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether planning authorities are required to undertake checks to prevent the discharge of sewage or dirty mains water into rivers from individual (a) residential and (b) commercial properties.
Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The National Planning Policy Framework outlines the expectations for water-compatible development, which should make sufficient provision for water supply and pumping stations, wastewater, waste management and flood control infrastructure.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what policy reason retailers may not sell 125ml servings of wine in taster packs.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Under the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988, prepacked sparkling wine can already be sold in 125ml quantities and prepacked still wine in 100ml quantities.
When options to reform the relevant legislation were considered, and following conversations with industry, we focused on introducing quantities that stakeholders had indicated as most beneficial for the industry. We will continue to keep the metrology legislative framework under consideration as part of our wider review of metrology EU assimilated law in line with the Government’s commitment to Smarter Regulation, reducing burdens on businesses and promoting innovation and growth.