Chris White

Conservative - Former Member for Warwick and Leamington

First elected: 6th May 2010


Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls
10th Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee
1st Dec 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Business and Trade Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 17th Oct 2016
International Development Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Committees on Arms Export Controls
12th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015


Division Voting information

Chris White has voted in 1405 divisions, and 28 times against the majority of their Party.

15 Mar 2017 - Social Security - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 290 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 292 Noes - 236
26 Oct 2016 - Yemen - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative Aye votes vs 282 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 193 Noes - 283
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative Aye votes vs 242 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 43 Noes - 245
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative Aye votes vs 249 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 190 Noes - 254
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative No votes vs 238 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 399 Noes - 42
26 Jan 2015 - Infrastructure Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 265 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 293
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 135 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 221 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 50 Noes - 451
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 220 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 452 Noes - 41
22 Jan 2014 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative No votes vs 271 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 278
22 Jan 2014 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 8 Conservative No votes vs 270 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
31 Oct 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 229 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 350 Noes - 34
9 Oct 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative Aye votes vs 259 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 298
9 Oct 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative Aye votes vs 266 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 312
10 Sep 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 246 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 291 Noes - 260
3 Sep 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 7 Conservative No votes vs 263 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
29 Aug 2013 - Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 240 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 272 Noes - 285
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative Aye votes vs 197 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 325
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 199 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 330 Noes - 27
21 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 124 Conservative Aye votes vs 134 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 161
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 121 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 150 Noes - 340
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 95 Conservative No votes vs 125 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 148 Noes - 339
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 321
16 Apr 2013 - Growth and Infrastructure Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative No votes vs 247 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 286 Noes - 259
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 131 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 400 Noes - 175
10 Jul 2012 - House of Lords Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 192 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 462 Noes - 124
30 Nov 2011 - Hairdressers Registration (Amendment) - View Vote Context
Chris White voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 41 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 67
13 Oct 2010 - Public Houses and Private Members’ Clubs (Smoking) Bill - View Vote Context
Chris White voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 74 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 86 Noes - 141
View All Chris White Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Lansley (Conservative)
(26 debate interactions)
Chris Grayling (Conservative)
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(41 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(35 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(34 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(31 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Chris White's debates

Warwick and Leamington Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Chris White has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Chris White

29th November 2016
Chris White signed this EDM on Wednesday 7th December 2016

COVENTRY'S 2021 CITY OF CULTURE BID

Tabled by: Jim Cunningham (Labour - Coventry South)
That this House welcomes the bid by Coventry to become UK City of Culture in 2021; recognises the work of the Belgrade Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Cathedral, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry Transport Museum, Godiva Festival and many more in promoting the arts across the city; notes the …
14 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Dec 2016)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 12
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
13th September 2016
Chris White signed this EDM on Monday 17th October 2016

IT TAKES BALLS TO TALK CAMPAIGN

Tabled by: Colleen Fletcher (Labour - Coventry North East)
That this House welcomes the launch of the mental health awareness and suicide prevention campaign, It Takes Balls to Talk, across Coventry and Warwickshire; notes that the campaign is a public information programme targeted at male-dominated sporting venues to raise awareness of mental health support services and reduce male suicide …
37 signatures
(Most recent: 21 Nov 2016)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 27
Independent: 4
Conservative: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
View All Chris White's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Chris White, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Chris White has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Chris White

Wednesday 17th December 2014
Thursday 14th February 2013

Chris White has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Chris White has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 34 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
9 Other Department Questions
9th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprentices.


We are committed to reaching 3 million apprenticeship starts in 2020. In the 2014/15 Academic Year, there were 499,900 apprenticeship starts.


Our 2020 Vision for English Apprenticeships sets out how we will increase the number of apprentices and put employers in the driving seat. We are introducing new targets for public sector bodies and extending the successful Apprenticeship Grant for Employers.


7th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to increase participation in part-time higher education courses in STEM subjects.


This year we relaxed the Equivalent and Lower Qualification (ELQ) rule for part time students taking engineering, technology and computer science courses. This means that students who already hold a degree will be able to access student support. At the Autumn Statement we announced a further relaxation to the eligibility rules so that students who already hold a degree can from 2017/18 access student support for part time study of other STEM subjects. These changes do not affect those undertaking full time study.

9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number of adults that will be participating in non-apprenticeship vocational training by 2020 in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Warwick and Leamington constituency.

The Department does not produce forecasts for participation in further education.


The funding available for adult skills up to 2015/16 is outlined in the Skills Funding Letter. The letter sets out the Government’s priorities for the budget and it is for providers to decide how they use their adult skills funding to reflect those priorities and meet the needs of learners and employers in their local area.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-funding-letter-april-2015-to-march-2016


Information on historic participation in government funded further education by geography is published online at the FE Data Library:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-further-education-and-skills

3rd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many students at UK universities are studying (a) computer science degrees, (b) computer science masters degrees, (c) video games degrees and (d) video games masters degrees.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on students enrolled at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The numbers of full-person equivalent enrolments studying Computer Science and ‘Games’ subjects at UK HEIs in the academic year 2013/14 are provided in the table.

Information on enrolments at UK HEIs for the academic year 2014/15 will become available from HESA in January 2016.

Full-person equivalent (1) Computer Science enrolments (2) by level of study

UK Higher Education Institutions

Academic year 2013/14

Subject of study

First Degree

Masters

All levels of study (3)

Computer Science

69,815

11,610

91,565

...of which 'Games' (4)

3,260

80

3,515

Source: HESA Student Record 2013/14

Notes:

(1) Subject level counts are shown in terms of Full Person Equivalents (FPEs). FPEs are derived by apportioning each student between the different subjects that made up their course.

(2) Enrolments refer to students in all years of study

(3) All levels of study include Higher Education qualifications at both sub-degree and postgraduate research level.

(4) Courses categorised as ‘Games’ include the studies of computer game programming, design, graphics, generated visual & audio effects, and imagery.

3rd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many students at further education colleges in the UK are studying (a) computer science and (b) video game courses.

Detailed information regarding the number of enrolments on further education courses is provided online in the National Aims report:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/378266/feandskills-national-aims-report-1314.xls

The report contains information for all courses that have at least 100 enrolments in a year.

18th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will estimate the contribution that the video games industry made to UK exports as a proportion of GDP in (a) 2010 and (b) 2013.

There are many difficulties in calculating the contribution that the video games industry makes to UK exports but the latest available DCMS Economic Estimates published in January 2014 show that exports of services from the group ‘IT, Software and Computer Services’ contributed less than 1% to UK GDP in 2010 and 2011 (approximately 0.42% in 2010 and 0.45% in 2011). It is not possible to disaggregate exports of computer services from the wider group. Estimates for exports of services from the Creative Industries in 2013 will not be available for some time but 2012 data are expected to be published early in the New Year.

18th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage more women to work in the manufacturing sector.

The Government recognises the need to encourage more women into the manufacturing sector and we support a number of initiatives in this area.

We have run two engineering skills funds for employers – “Improving Engineering Careers" and “Developing Women Engineers”. Applications are currently being assessed, with successful employers due to be informed in January.

Our ‘Your Life Call to Action’ campaign has been joined by over 200 companies, pledging to improve women’s recruitment, retention and progression in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) professions.

STEMNET runs the STEM Ambassador programme, a network of 28,000 volunteers from industry and academia who visit schools, illustrating STEM careers and advising teachers. Over 40% (over 11,200) of STEM Ambassadors are women.

We fund STEMNET to run a number of programmes, including the STEM Ambassador’s programme to the sum of £6.3m per year.

See Inside Manufacturing (SIM) allows young people to experience modern advanced manufacturing and engineering, the programme actively encourages businesses to open their doors to the next generation of engineers and in particular young women.

2nd Jul 2014
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent assessment he has made of how City Deals are working.

Cities and Local Enterprise Partnerships are making excellent progress in implementing their City Deals.

The Coventry and Warwickshire City Deal was signed on 12 December 2013 and the Skills for Growth pilot has already registered 37 graduates, exceeding its targets.

8th Jan 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to (a) encourage greater use of email and (b) implement other measures to reduce costs in communication by government departments.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) continues to support departments as they digitally transform their business operations, making government services easier and more efficient to use. There is a ‘digital first’ strategy across Government to save on time as well as paper and postage costs, including the use of email to achieve this aim.

The Government Communication Service (GCS) saved nearly £330m for taxpayers in 2014/15 compared to 2009/10 by making its campaigns more cost effective. The communications profession is also more streamlined, with headcount across Government reduced by a third since 2009/10. These reforms helped the Government reduce communications spending by a total of £1bn over the last Parliament. GCS continues to investigate new ways of reducing costs in Government communications.

14th Oct 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will update the report entitled Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 - one year on to reflect progress since that publication.

On 26 September, the Cabinet Office announced that Lord Young, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Enterprise, will lead a review of the Public Service (Social Value) Act 2012. The review will look at how the Act is working on the ground and consider whether it would be beneficial to extend it. The review will consider evidence from a range of sources and report on findings in early 2015.

26th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to paragraph 3.36 of the Autumn Statement 2016, if his Department will support firms specialising (a) in video and mobile game development and (b) on artificial intelligence, data analytics and virtual reality.

At the Autumn Statement 2016, the British Business Bank was provided with £400m of additional funding to unlock up to £1 billion of new investment in innovative firms planning to scale up.

This will primarily be achieved by broadening the mandate of Bank’s Venture Capital Catalyst programme. The programme is able to invest across a wide range of sectors, including businesses which specialise in video, mobile game development, artificial intelligence, data analytics and virtual reality.

8th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to consult with representatives of the higher education sector as part of his Department's preparations for the development and delivery of its industrial strategy.

Higher education has a key role to play in industrial strategy. A high productivity, high wage economy that works for all depends on our workforce having access to the skills they need.

We will be seeking views on Industrial Strategy, including from Higher education stakeholders, through a discussion paper to be published shortly.

8th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential role of the part-time higher education sector in delivering his Department's industrial strategy.

Higher education has a key role to play in industrial strategy. A high productivity, high wage economy that works for all depends on our workforce having access to the skills they need.

We will be seeking views on Industrial Strategy, including from Higher education stakeholders, through a discussion paper to be published shortly.

2nd Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government has taken to set out its industrial strategy; and if he will make a statement.

We are developing an Industrial Strategy that will embrace the opportunities of our new global role and upgrade our economy so it works for everyone. We intend to work with the breadth of British industry, local leaders, innovators, employees and consumers to deliver a successful strategy and create the conditions for future success. We will seek views on our plans in a discussion paper in the coming weeks.

28th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made on the rollout of superfast broadband in (a) Warwick and (b) the Warwick and Leamington constituency.

Current estimates suggest that almost 90% of premises in the Warwick and Leamington constituency are subject to commercial rollout, and a further 5% of premises (2,369) now have coverage as a result of the Government's Superfast Broadband programme.

Based on DCMS modelled estimates and current delivery plans, 96% of premises in the Warwick and Leamington constituency will have access to superfast broadband by December 2017. Early gainshare funding that BT will return in response to the high levels of take-up being achieved, could help extend coverage further.

6th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the contribution of creative industries to the economy.

The creative industries continue to play a key role in our economic recovery, outperforming almost all other sectors of the economy. Figures published on 30th June showed the creative industries accounted for 1.8 million jobs in the UK in 2014, an increase of nearly 16% since 2011, with a further 900,000 creative jobs in the wider economy.

18th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will estimate the number of video games companies based in the UK in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013.

Whilst the DCMS has made no official estimate of the number of companies operating in the video games sector recent analysis undertaken by Nesta and the trade body UKIE showed that there could be up to 1,902 video games companies active in 2014.

18th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will estimate the contribution made by the video games industry to UK GDP in (a) 2010 and (b) 2013.

Latest indicative estimates from the DCMS Creative Industries Economic Estimates release show that GVA for the computer games industry in the UK was £540 million in 2012 and £443 million in 2010 (data for 2013 will be published on 13th January 2015). Estimates are in current prices and do not account for the effects of inflation.

To note, these indicative estimates of the size of the computer games industry are based on the ONS Annual Business Survey. This is a sample survey and estimates at this level of detail for a single year should be treated with caution as they are volatile. ONS data covers businesses which are VAT or PAYE registered only and does not include the contribution of micro-businesses. For these reasons the computer games data in the release are presented in an annex alongside the headline Creative Industries estimates with these caveats stated.

To note these data are already available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/creative-industries-economic-estimates-january-2014

Recent research by Nesta that seeks to include the broader contribution of micro-businesses together will official suggests that the contribution of computer games could be substantially higher.

http://www.nesta.org.uk/publications/map-uk-games-industry

18th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings officials in his Department have had with video games businesses in the last 12 months.

Over the last 12 months, DCMS officials have met regularly with the video games industry for example to discuss topics such as the video games tax relief, video game sector statistics and export and inward investment opportunities.

18th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will estimate the number of people employed in the video games industry in (a) England, (b) Warwickshire and (c) Warwick and Leamington in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2013.

In January 2014, the DCMS Creative Industries Economic Estimates showed that there were 15,000 jobs in the computer games industry in the UK in 2012. This is an increase from 2011, when there were 13,000 jobs in the computer games industry. An estimate for the number of jobs in the computer games industry in the UK in 2013 will be published as part of the next update to the Creative Industries Economic Estimates in January 2015. Estimates are based on the ONS Annual Population survey and analysis at lower levels of geography is not robust.

19th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures her Department has implemented to support children who are permanently excluded from school.

Exclusion from school is not the end of a pupil's education. Where a pupil has been permanently excluded, the Local Authority must arrange suitable full-time education for them to begin no later than the sixth school day following the exclusion.

In the White Paper ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’ we announced reforms to the system of alternative provision which will strengthen the accountability of schools when permanently excluding pupils. Under these changes schools will remain accountable for the education of pupils in alternative provision and will be responsible for commissioning high quality provision. In addition to this, the reforms include a number of measures to raise the standards of alternative provision providers so that every child is given the best possible opportunity to fulfil their potential. The full text of the Educational Excellence Everywhere White Paper can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/educational-excellence-everywhere.

13th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to prevent the small hive beetle from affecting the UK's bee population.

A Contingency Plan for England and Wales and a Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) have been published for the small hive beetle. Elements of the Contingency Plan were tested during 2016 with the completion of two field exercises in England. Such exercises have been carried out annually since 2005 on a four year rolling regional cycle ensuring that all National Bee Unit field inspectors and support staff are trained in Contingency Planning and Operational Preparedness.

Since the first detection in Italy in September 2014 UK bee inspectors have enhanced our inspection services and surveillance by:

  • tracing and checking past imports of bees from Italy;
  • increasing inspections of high-risk apiaries near ports and airports;
  • doubling the number of targeted exotic pest inspections carried out per year;
  • providing training and guidance materials on pest recognition to inspectors responsible for checking UK imports of plants and plant products (e.g. Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors and Horticulture Marketing Inspectors – as these products could provide a route by which the beetle is introduced); and
  • working with beekeeper associations, government agencies and importer trade associations (e.g. Fresh Produce Consortium) to raise awareness amongst beekeepers, plant produce importers and growers who use managed bees for pollination services.
12th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policy on Yemen of the airstrike in Sanaa on 8 October 2016.

I visited Riyadh on 13 October and met with Saudi Foreign Minister Al Jubeir to discuss the airstrike on a funeral hall and efforts to revive the stalled political process in Yemen. I welcome the release of the report by the Coalition’s Joint Incidents Assessment Team into the incident. This will be used to contribute to our overall view on the approach and attitude of Saudi Arabia to international humanitarian law.

18th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between India and the UK.

The UK and India have a broad and deep friendship symbolised by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit last month and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United Kingdom in November 2015. The UK is the largest G20 investor in India and Indian companies invest more in the UK than the rest of the EU combined.
24th Jan 2017
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Statement 2016, whether his Department has set a timetable to review the current tax system for research and development support.

As announced in November 2016, the government is reviewing the tax environment for Research and Development (R&D) to look at how to make the UK an even more competitive place to do R&D. The review is due to conclude at the Spring Budget.

24th Jan 2017
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Statement 2016, which business sectors his Department is encouraging to raise their research and development investment.

The government is committed to supporting innovative businesses and research across all sectors, and supporting technologies where the UK has a strong scientific and commercial advantage.

At the Autumn Statement, the government announced a significant increase in public R&D spending, rising to an extra £2 billion a year by 2020-21. This will include an Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which will support collaborations between businesses and the UK’s world-leading science base.

9th Feb 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses accessed the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) in 2014-15; what the cost of SEIS was to his Department in that year; and what the return on investment was for the economy as a result of the SEIS.

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is forecast to cost the Exchequer £180m in 2014-15. Outturn figures for 2014-15 are not yet available. Updated figures on the cost of the relief will be published in December 2016.

The first official statistics on the number of companies raising funds, number of subscriptions, and amounts raised for Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes for 2014-15 will be published in April 2016.

No results have been published on the return on investment from the SEIS.

21st Jan 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses benefited from video games tax relief in 2014-15; what the cost of that relief was to his Department in that year; and what the return on investment was for the economy as a result of that relief.

Video Games Tax Relief is forecast to cost the Exchequer £10m in 2014-15. The first Official Statistics on the number of claims and cost of Video Games Tax Relief will be published in Summer 2016, allowing sufficient time for claims to have been submitted for the 2014-15 tax year. No estimate of the benefit for the economy as a whole is available.


The forecast has been certified by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility and is consistent with their latest forecast of Corporation Tax receipts.

8th Jan 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses benefited from R&D tax credits in 2014-15; what the cost of R&D tax credits was to his Department in that year; and what the return on investment was of R&D tax credit expenditure for his Department.

R&D tax credit statistics are published by HMRC each September, so the final figures for 2014-15 won’t be available until September 2016.

HMRC’s latest statistics for 2013-14 show that there were 20,100 claims to R&D tax credits in that year, and that the scheme cost £1.75bn.


In March 2015, HMRC published an evaluation of R&D tax credits. This evaluation estimates that for every pound spent by the government onR&Dtax credits, between £1.53 and £2.35 is additionally spent onR&Dby UK companies.


11th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of recent trends in the level of crime.

Police reform is working and crime is falling. Both the independent Crime Survey and police recorded crime show crime has fallen by more than 10 per cent under this coalition government.

England and Wales are safer than they have been for decades with the Crime Survey showing crime at its lowest level since the survey began in 1981.


9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local government representatives on ensuring social value is taken into account in proposals for greater devolution; and what his policy is on the recommendation of the Local Government Association's National Procurement Strategy for Local Government on the wider adoption of Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

The Government is looking at the full costs and benefits of devolution proposals in line with Government guidance. This is supported by detailed conversations with areas to help them refine their work such as guidance about onward devolution to neighbourhoods.

The Government fully supports local authorities applying the concept of social value more widely than required by the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and this is reflected in the Revised Best Value Statutory Guidance which was published in March of this year and can be viewed at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revised-best-value-statutory-guidance


Marcus Jones
Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons)
27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he has taken to support local shops and high streets.

Since 2010, we have helped create over 360 town teams, given over £18 million to towns - funding successful initiatives such as ‘Love your Local Market’. We have increased business rate discounts for 300,000 businesses, strengthened the role of Business Improvement Districts, introduced new permitted development rights and are tackling aggressive parking enforcement.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons