Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential role of Non-Fungible Tokens in tackling corruption in the administration of public finances.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury has made no assessment of the potential role of non-fungible tokens in tackling corruption in the administration of public finances.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using non-fungible tokens in the issuing of North Sea licences.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The North Sea Transition Authority, the regulator and licensing body for oil and gas, offshore hydrogen and carbon storage, has made no such assessment.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans to pause discussions with Mauritius on the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to that country in the context of the military action taken in Yemen in response to maritime piracy.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Our clear aim is the continued full operation of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in national, regional and global security. Mauritius has made clear publicly that it supports this goal. The joint UK/US military facility helps to keep people around the world safe, combatting some of the most challenging threats to international peace and security.
We must look at all the risks there could be in any change of circumstances. The UK will only enter into an agreement that protects our national interests and those of our partners.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Riverside town centre development on levels of economic regeneration in Shrewsbury.
Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
All of the Levelling Up Fund projects, including the Smithfield Riverside Redevelopment Programme, have undergone a robust assessment prior to award. The published Levelling Up Fund Round 2: Explanatory Note outlines the assessment and decision making process.
The published Levelling Up Fund Impact Evaluation Scoping Report sets out how the impact of the Fund will be estimated at the programme and project levels and at different geographies.
We continue to work with all successful applicants, including Shropshire Council, to ensure the benefits of the £4.8 billion worth of projects are delivered to communities as quickly as possible.
I thank him for his work to help us level up in Shropshire.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what financial support is available to businesses that have (a) been disrupted and (b) had stock damaged as a result of flooding.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Business Recovery Grant (BRG), part of the Flooding Framework, provides £2500 per affected business premises to small and medium sized businesses in the immediate aftermath of flooding to help them get back on their feet.
This support was provided in October 2023 in response to Storm Babet and those affected by Storm Henk interested in the BRG should contact their Local Authority for details and qualification requirements.
Businesses significantly affected by recent flooding could also be eligible for business rates relief via schemes delivered by DLUHC and via DEFRA schemes.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a Government grant for the replacement of old double glazing windows.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Our ‘Help to Heat’ schemes ensure homes will be warmer and cheaper to heat. We are continuing to deliver energy efficiency improvements to a significant number of homes, helping households to save money on energy bills.
Double glazed windows are currently eligible to be installed under the Home Upgrade Grant, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Energy Company Obligation schemes, and many households have already benefited from this measure.
We are considering which measures will be eligible under the future schemes announced in December 2023.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will call on Fujitsu to compensate the sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted between 2000 and 2014.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has set up a statutory inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal. Collective and individual accountability for the scandal can only be considered when the Inquiry has reviewed all the evidence.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help increase production of 155mm shells for Ukraine.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) placed an order in June 2023 with BAE Systems to provide an eight-fold increase in production capability of 155mm shells. The MOD contract is for significant initial quantities of 155mm shells which will reinstate and build sovereign capability and stockpiles.
In respect of artillery ammunition being providing to Ukraine, since the start of the conflict, the UK has donated over 300,000 rounds of artillery ammunition - including 155mm and Former Soviet Union calibres.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risks to national security of the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Answered by James Heappey
The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security.
The UK and Mauritius have conducted several rounds of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reassurances his Department has received from the government of Mauritius on the future of the military base in Diego Garcia.
Answered by James Heappey
The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security.
The UK and Mauritius have conducted several rounds of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.