Douglas Carswell

Independent - Former Member for Clacton

First elected: 9th October 2014

Left House: 3rd May 2017 (General Election)


Douglas Carswell is not a member of any APPGs
2 Former APPG memberships
Democratic Participation, Isle of Man (Manx)
Public Accounts Committee
9th Feb 2009 - 6th May 2010
Children, Schools and Families
9th Nov 2007 - 6th May 2010
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
12th Jul 2005 - 13th Oct 2008
Education & Skills
16th Jan 2006 - 8th Nov 2007


Division Voting information

Douglas Carswell has voted in 1546 divisions, and 77 times against the majority of their Party.

15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative Aye votes vs 193 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 25 Noes - 440
5 Mar 2014 - Judgments - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 360 Noes - 104
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of Births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 124 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 363 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 84 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 365 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 79 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 368 Noes - 98
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 127 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 107
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 202 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 243
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 199 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 36 Noes - 240
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 202 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 28
13 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative No votes vs 207 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 30
22 Nov 2013 - European Union (Referendum) Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 244 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 15 Noes - 249
30 Oct 2013 - enterprise - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 218 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 22
9 Oct 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell 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
Douglas Carswell 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
9 Oct 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 262 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 304 Noes - 260
8 Oct 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill (Programme) (No. 2) - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 263 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 249
10 Sep 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell 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
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 267 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 247
3 Sep 2013 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell 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
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 499 Noes - 55
6 Nov 2012 - Banking Union and Economic and Monetary Union - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative Aye votes vs 221 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 33 Noes - 273
31 Oct 2012 - Multiannual Financial Framework - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 294
17 Oct 2012 - Oral Health Services - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 227 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 479 Noes - 33
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
19 Apr 2012 - Finance (No. 4) Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative Aye votes vs 243 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 240 Noes - 283
18 Apr 2012 - Finance (No. 4) Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative Aye votes vs 250 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 262 Noes - 287
18 Apr 2012 - Finance (No. 4) Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 252 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 258 Noes - 293
12 Mar 2012 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 40 Conservative Aye votes vs 141 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 186
12 Mar 2012 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative Aye votes vs 134 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 101 Noes - 166
12 Mar 2012 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 29 Conservative No votes vs 132 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 203 Noes - 82
5 Dec 2011 - Ministerial Statements - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 195 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 119 Noes - 228
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative Aye votes vs 209 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 483
11 Oct 2011 - Delegated legislation - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative No votes vs 217 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 271 Noes - 22
11 Jul 2011 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 274 Noes - 246
28 Jun 2011 - Finance Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative Aye votes vs 227 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 23 Noes - 473
24 May 2011 - Eurozone Financial Assistance - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 220 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 46
27 Apr 2011 - Press Self-regulation - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 238 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 287 Noes - 20
23 Mar 2011 - Section 6 of the european union (amendment) act 2008 - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative No votes vs 247 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 29
9 Feb 2011 - Domestic Heating Oil - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 234 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 45
9 Feb 2011 - Domestic Heating Oil - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 241 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 295 Noes - 223
1 Feb 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 249 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 295
26 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 254 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 313
24 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 257 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 239 Noes - 310
11 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 255 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 39 Noes - 314
15 Dec 2010 - Loans to Ireland Bill (Allocation of Time) - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 246 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 22
15 Dec 2010 - Loans to Ireland Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 246 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 301
15 Dec 2010 - Water Supplies (Developing World) - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 267 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 304 Noes - 221
10 Nov 2010 - European Union Economic Governance - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Conservative No votes vs 243 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 296 Noes - 40
25 Oct 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 245 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 293
13 Oct 2010 - Draft EU Budget 2011 - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative Aye votes vs 204 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 42 Noes - 252
13 Sep 2010 - Fixed-term Parliaments Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative No votes vs 255 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 311 Noes - 23
6 Sep 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 272 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 324 Noes - 272
14 Jul 2010 - European External Action Service - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 255 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 321 Noes - 12
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 188 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
4 Mar 2010 - Chair (Terminology) - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 74 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 106 Noes - 221
6 Jan 2010 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 27 Conservative Aye votes vs 27 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 78 Noes - 254
29 Oct 2008 - Manchester City Council Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative No votes vs 52 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 24
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative No votes vs 93 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 299
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 111 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 107 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Conservative No votes vs 101 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Conservative Aye votes vs 82 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 77 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 110 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 50 Conservative No votes vs 80 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative No votes vs 98 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 103 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
12 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative Aye votes vs 44 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 340 Noes - 78
6 May 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 48 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
14 Nov 2007 - The Economy and Pensions - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative Aye votes vs 145 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 68 Noes - 464
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 55 Conservative Aye votes vs 121 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 337 Noes - 224
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Douglas Carswell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 106 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 391 Noes - 111
View All Douglas Carswell 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.

Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(60 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(50 debate contributions)
Home Office
(27 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Douglas Carswell has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Douglas Carswell's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Douglas Carswell

1st February 2017
Douglas Carswell signed this EDM on Wednesday 8th February 2017

CST ANTISEMITIC INCIDENT FIGURES

Tabled by: Lord Mann (Labour - Bassetlaw)
That this House notes the 2016 incidents report by the Community Security Trust (CST); further notes that the report details the highest annual total of antisemitic incidents that CST has ever recorded of 1,309 cases, an increase of 36 per cent from the 2015 total; is concerned that the pattern …
25 signatures
(Most recent: 9 Mar 2017)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Independent: 4
Conservative: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Non-affiliated: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
The Independent Group for Change: 1
18th January 2017
Douglas Carswell signed this EDM on Wednesday 8th February 2017

ADOPTION OF A FORMAL DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM

Tabled by: Lord Mann (Labour - Bassetlaw)
That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement of 12 December 2016 that Britain will adopt a formal definition of antisemitism in response to the work of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA); recognises that a recommendation formally to adopt a definition was first made in the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry …
59 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Mar 2017)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 21
Scottish National Party: 16
Independent: 7
Democratic Unionist Party: 5
Conservative: 4
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Ulster Unionist Party: 2
The Independent Group for Change: 2
Non-affiliated: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Green Party: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
View All Douglas Carswell's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Douglas Carswell, 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.


Douglas Carswell has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Douglas Carswell

Wednesday 4th March 2015

3 Bills introduced by Douglas Carswell


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and related legislation; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 20th June 2012

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the Currency and Banknotes Act 1954 to allow banknotes in addition to those issued by the Bank of England to be legal tender; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 6th September 2011

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to prohibit banks and building societies lending on the basis of demand deposits without the permission of the account holder; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 15th September 2010

1 Bill co-sponsored by Douglas Carswell

Queen's Sapphire Jubilee Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Andrew Rosindell (Con)


Latest 50 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
7 Other Department Questions
4th Mar 2016
To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether Government spending in support of the remain campaign for the EU referendum is counted towards the total campaign spending for that campaign.

During the referendum period ahead of the EU Referendum, which will run from 15 April to 23 June 2016, there are rules that campaigners must follow on spending, donations and reporting. These are set out under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). Spending from public funds is not covered by these rules.

Section 125 of PPERA does place restrictions on the publication of promotional material by UK and devolved governments and Ministers during the 28 day period before a referendum. Publishing information and arguments for or against the UK remaining or leaving the EU or materials designed to encourage people to vote a certain way are covered by these restrictions. These restrictions will apply between 27 May and 23 June 2016.

16th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans his Department has for implementation of the ruling of the European Court of Justice in case C-266/14 of 10 September 2015, on justice and citizens' rights.

This judgment of the European Court of Justice automatically became part of UK law on the date of its publication. It is not necessary to amend UK domestic legislation to implement the judgment.

10th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will take steps to ensure that the strike price per megawatt hour of production at the proposed Sizewell and Bradwell nuclear power stations (a) reflects the market rate and (b) is not subsidised from public funds.

Our electricity market reforms have set the right conditions for necessary investment in our energy market, and support low-carbon generation in nuclear as well as in other generating sectors. No applications for development consent to build new nuclear power stations at Sizewell and Bradwell have been made and it is too soon to say what the funding arrangements might be for these projects.

10th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that cost overruns similar to those incurred in the building of the Flamanville nuclear power station do not occur in EDF's construction of Hinkley Point C.

The UK Government and EDF are working together to finalise the documentation for the Hinkley Point C project. The deal is subject to approval by Ministers.

It is for the developer to ensure that construction is delivered within budget and to schedule. Should construction costs overrun beyond the maximum cost provided for in any Contracts for Difference (CfD) that is offered, the costs of those overruns would not be remunerated.

10th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will take steps to ensure that the strike price per megawatt hour of production from Hinkley Point C nuclear power station (a) reflects the market rate and (b) is not subsidised from public funds.

The UK Government and EDF are working together to finalise the documentation for the Hinkley Point C project. The deal is subject to approval by Ministers and must represent value for money.

19th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of his policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises on businesses in Clacton constituency.

Small businesses are vital to our economy and our small business owners have driven this economic recovery. The Clacton constituency has benefitted from a number of support schemes. The Business Bank’s Start-Up Loan programme has already provided 26 loans, with a value of £99,230 to people starting a business in Clacton. And since May 2010, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme has supported 14 loans in the area with a total value of £1.8m.

We are committed to making Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and are doing this in a number of ways:

  • A more stable economic environment.
  • £10 billion of financing will be unlocked for smaller business over the next 5 years by our British Business Bank;
  • Government grants of up to £3,000 for better internet connectivity are available to small businesses;
  • The Business Support Helpline is available to provide bespoke information and advice;
  • Cuts to corporation tax from 28% to 21%; and
  • £2,000 cut from the National Insurance bills of small firms from the new Employment Allowance.

9th Feb 2016
To ask the Attorney General, what planning his Department has undertaken in the event of the UK voting to leave the EU.

At the February European Council the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's view is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

29th Jun 2015
To ask the Attorney General, if he will make it his policy to enable a Select Committee to hold a confirmation hearings for the post of Director of Public Prosecutions.

The post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is a Civil Service appointment. The process is conducted by the independent Civil Service Commission in line with statute and the Government has no plans to change this. The Commission appoints a panel to carry out the process. In recent competitions, the panel has consisted of the Cabinet Secretary, a senior Civil Service Commissioner, a non-executive director from the relevant department and an external stakeholder - which in the case of the DPP might be a Court of Appeal judge.

15th Sep 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to publish a list of its special advisers in post.

A full list of Government special advisers will be published in due course, in the usual way.

5th Jul 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what contingency planning the Government undertook in the event of a vote to leave the EU.

The Government had a clear position on the referendum and it was right for the civil service to work in support of that. We now have clear instructions from the British people and Government will of course work to take those instructions forward.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much UK public money has been used to purchase steel from loss-making state-owned Chinese steel making companies (a) through the Crown Commercial Service and (b) in total in the last 10 years.

The Crown Commercial Service has not awarded any contracts for the procurement of steel.

Information on departmental spend on steel is not held centrally.

All departments are now required to implement new guidelines, which we published on 30 October last year, on how government buyers should source steel for major projects so that the true value of UK steel is taken into account in major procurement decisions.

13th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants from across all Government departments and at what grade have been seconded to the Cabinet Office Referendum Unit.

I refer my right hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice and Howden and the hon. Member for Clacton to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for St Albans on 18 April 2016 to UIN: 32678.

The cost of the secretariat, including the Referendum Unit, will be accounted for in the Department’s annual report and accounts.

11th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the press release, Government response to public desire for EU facts, published on 6 April 2016, how much and in what areas the Government has spent on the production of its leaflet on the EU referendum; and from which departmental budget that funding has been obtained.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 14 April 2016, to the hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex.

All leaflets will be delivered in advance of the 28 day restricted period, beginning on 27 May 2016. The costs of the leaflet will be met from the Cabinet Office budget.

25th Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether his Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

25th Feb 2016
To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to his Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether his Office is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

At the February European Council the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's view is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

The civil service is working full-time to support the Government’s position. A document setting out the principal alternatives to our membership of the EU will be published shortly.

26th Jan 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost has been to the public purse of independent policy advisers across all government departments since May 2010.

Independent policy advisers is not a category of staff or profession that is recognised in the Civil Service. Departments may commission policy advice externally including through the Contestable Policy programme. Comprehensive details are not held centrally.

8th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises in accessing extended credit terms.

Extended credit terms from suppliers can help businesses to meet their working capital needs, as can prompt payment from customers. While payment terms are a matter for each business to negotiate with their trading partners, the Government is committed to ensuring that all businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK are able to access the finance and support they need to grow and have the right conditions to invest long-term, as set out in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper.

2nd Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what due consideration was given to alternatives to the Unified Patent Court before the announcement of the proposed ratification of the UK's membership of the Unified Patent Court.

The Government considered its announcement to become a signatory of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court very carefully, in the light of the benefit to business in being able to protect their patent rights across Europe in a more streamlined way and the value of having a division of the court in London.

The announcement should not be seen as pre-empting the UK’s objective in the forthcoming negotiations with the EU and is without prejudice to the UK’s future position on the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the UK has left the EU. The Unified Patent Court is established by a non-EU Intergovernmental Agreement which is currently only open to EU member states.

The announcement demonstrates that the UK will continue our approach of constructive engagement as long as we remain a member of the EU.

14th Jul 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to renegotiate the strike price per megawatt hour for Hinkley Point C; and if he will assess the potential merits of imposing a limit on the taxpayer subsidy to EDF.

Hinkley Point C is a good deal for consumers – it will provide reliable energy at an affordable cost, powering nearly six million homes for around 60 years and creating more than 25,000 jobs.

Today nuclear provides around 19% of our electricity but these ageing plants won’t go on forever. Therefore the Government is committed to our policy of building new nuclear in the interest of energy security and decarbonisation, and keeping costs down for the consumer.

Consumers will only pay when Hinkley is up and running.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
15th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of the workforce in Clacton constituency are in receipt of the national living wage.

2.9 million workers are expected to directly benefit from the National Living Wage by 2020, 11 per cent of which are located in the East of England. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has made no detailed assessment of the beneficiaries of the National Living Wage at local authority level.

9th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will make it her policy to renegotiate with EDF the strike price for Hinkley Point C power station.

Hinkley Point C is a good deal for consumers – it will provide reliable energy at an affordable cost, powering nearly six million homes for around 60 years and creating more than 25,000 jobs.

Today nuclear provides around 16% of our electricity but these ageing plants won’t go on forever. Therefore the Government is committed to our policy of building new nuclear in the interest of energy security, decarbonisation and keeping costs down for the consumer.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has made to the World Trade Organisation to request that anti-dumping measures are taken against the People's Republic of China.

The World Trade Organisation does not have a role in conducting anti-dumping investigations. Responsibility for anti-dumping investigations and imposing anti-dumping measures against imports into the EU and the UK lies with the European Commission. These investigations are driven by requests from EU producers.

The Government makes regular representations to the Commission concerning allegations of dumping of steel. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister pressed for more action on dumping of steel at European Council on 17 and 18 March. The government judges each anti-dumping case on its merits, based on the evidence presented by the Commission and on representations from interested parties, including producers, users and importers, but is strongly in favour of effective trade defences to tackle unfair trade practices where justified. We have voted in favour of anti-dumping measures on several steel products since July, including the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures on reinforcing bar in January, an investigation for which we lobbied the Commission successfully, and on cold-rolled flat steel products in February.

We have supported industry calls for higher duties on specific cases where this is justified by the evidence. For example, in the reinforcing bar case we have raised the steel industry’s concerns that the provisional duties were too low with the Commission. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke with Trade Commissioner Malmström about this and received assurances that the Commission will reconsider this during the definitive stage of the investigation, if industry can provide the necessary evidence.

We also welcomed the opening of four new anti-dumping investigations involving steel products earlier this year.

The Government continues to push the Commission for faster, more effective action to deal with dumping of steel. This was one of the conclusions of the Extraordinary Competitiveness Council on Steel in November, a meeting which my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills was instrumental in convening. In advance of the Commission’s energy-intensive industry stakeholder’s summit on 15 February – another key action from the Competitiveness Council – the government and several other EU Member States sent a joint letter to the Commission, pressing it to make full and timely use of all trade defence instruments to tackle unfair trade. I played an active role at this summit. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has also raised these issues in discussions with Commissioner Malmström, most recently at the OECD conference on the challenges facing the steel industry on 18 April. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Intellectual Property) reiterated the need for faster and more effective action on dumping at the Competitiveness Council held on 29 February and the Presidency conclusions of that Council reflected this message. I did likewise at the European Steel Day on 21 April. Officials also have regular discussions about anti-dumping cases with Commission officials and officials from other EU Member States.

The Government is also supporting a robust discussion of the issue of overcapacity through the EU’s ongoing dialogue with the Chinese and other governments, including at the OECD conference. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has discussed this issue directly with President Xi and was told that China will take steps to reduce its overcapacity. My Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer also raised it during his visit to China in February and my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills raised it with his counterpart in February. Similarly, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised it during his visit to China in April.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many metric tonnes of Chinese rebar steel have been imported into the UK in each of the last five years.

The volume of rebar steel imported to the UK from China during the period 2011-2015 was as follows:

Year Metric Tonnes

2011 6

2012 2

2013 47,803

2014 254,584

2015 365,449

Source:HMRC

For 2016, data from the EU’s Steel Surveillance 2[1] Monitoring System indicates that 43 tonnes were imported to the UK during the first quarter.

[1] The Surveillance 2 system collects data directly from import customs declarations. This data relates to the reference of the customs declaration, the nature of the goods, their origin, their volume, their value and their date of acceptance by the customs administration (actual import date). Records are sent daily by the central systems of the customs administrations of the EU Member States. It is based on article 308d of the implementing provisions of the Custom Code (Regulation 2454/93

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the UK could act unilaterally to take an equity stake greater than 25 per cent in Tata Steel while being a member of the EU.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the UK has taken to support increased tariffs on artificially cheap steel imports to the EU.

The World Trade Organisation does not have a role in conducting anti-dumping investigations. Responsibility for anti-dumping investigations and imposing anti-dumping measures against imports into the EU and the UK lies with the European Commission. These investigations are driven by requests from EU producers.

The Government makes regular representations to the Commission concerning allegations of dumping of steel. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister pressed for more action on dumping of steel at European Council on 17 and 18 March. The government judges each anti-dumping case on its merits, based on the evidence presented by the Commission and on representations from interested parties, including producers, users and importers, but is strongly in favour of effective trade defences to tackle unfair trade practices where justified. We have voted in favour of anti-dumping measures on several steel products since July, including the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures on reinforcing bar in January, an investigation for which we lobbied the Commission successfully, and on cold-rolled flat steel products in February.

We have supported industry calls for higher duties on specific cases where this is justified by the evidence. For example, in the reinforcing bar case we have raised the steel industry’s concerns that the provisional duties were too low with the Commission. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke with Trade Commissioner Malmström about this and received assurances that the Commission will reconsider this during the definitive stage of the investigation, if industry can provide the necessary evidence.

We also welcomed the opening of four new anti-dumping investigations involving steel products earlier this year.

The Government continues to push the Commission for faster, more effective action to deal with dumping of steel. This was one of the conclusions of the Extraordinary Competitiveness Council on Steel in November, a meeting which my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills was instrumental in convening. In advance of the Commission’s energy-intensive industry stakeholder’s summit on 15 February – another key action from the Competitiveness Council – the government and several other EU Member States sent a joint letter to the Commission, pressing it to make full and timely use of all trade defence instruments to tackle unfair trade. I played an active role at this summit. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has also raised these issues in discussions with Commissioner Malmström, most recently at the OECD conference on the challenges facing the steel industry on 18 April. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Intellectual Property) reiterated the need for faster and more effective action on dumping at the Competitiveness Council held on 29 February and the Presidency conclusions of that Council reflected this message. I did likewise at the European Steel Day on 21 April. Officials also have regular discussions about anti-dumping cases with Commission officials and officials from other EU Member States.

The Government is also supporting a robust discussion of the issue of overcapacity through the EU’s ongoing dialogue with the Chinese and other governments, including at the OECD conference. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has discussed this issue directly with President Xi and was told that China will take steps to reduce its overcapacity. My Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer also raised it during his visit to China in February and my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills raised it with his counterpart in February. Similarly, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised it during his visit to China in April.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the dumping of Chinese steel in the UK at below-market prices.

Responsibility for anti-dumping investigations and imposing anti-dumping measures against imports into the EU and the UK lies with the European Commission. These investigations are driven by requests from EU producers.

The Government makes regular representations to the Commission concerning allegations of dumping of steel. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister pressed for more action on dumping of steel at European Council on 17 and 18 March. The government judges each anti-dumping case on its merits, based on the evidence presented by the Commission and on representations from interested parties, including producers, users and importers, but is strongly in favour of effective trade defences to tackle unfair trade practices where justified. We have voted in favour of anti-dumping measures on several steel products since July, including the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures on reinforcing bar in January, an investigation for which we lobbied the Commission successfully, and on cold-rolled flat steel products in February.

We have supported industry calls for higher duties on specific cases where this is justified by the evidence. For example, in the reinforcing bar case we have raised the steel industry’s concerns that the provisional duties were too low with the Commission. My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke with Trade Commissioner Malmström about this and received assurances that the Commission will reconsider this during the definitive stage of the investigation, if industry can provide the necessary evidence.

We also welcomed the opening of four new anti-dumping investigations involving steel products earlier this year.

The government continues to push the Commission for faster, more effective action to deal with dumping of steel. This was one of the conclusions of the Extraordinary Competitiveness Council on Steel in November, a meeting which my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills was instrumental in convening. In advance of the Commission’s energy-intensive industry stakeholder’s summit on 15 February – another key action from the Competitiveness Council – the government and several other EU Member States sent a joint letter to the Commission, pressing it to make full and timely use of all trade defence instruments to tackle unfair trade. I played an active role at this summit. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has also raised these issues in discussions with Commissioner Malmström, most recently at the OECD conference on the challenges facing the steel industry on 18 April. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Minister for Intellectual Property reiterated the need for faster and more effective action on dumping at the Competitiveness Council held on 29 February and the Presidency conclusions of that Council reflected this message. I did likewise at the European Steel Day on 21 April. Officials also have regular discussions about anti-dumping cases with Commission officials and officials from other EU Member States.

The Government is also supporting a robust discussion of the issue of overcapacity through the EU’s ongoing dialogue with the Chinese and other governments, including at the OECD conference. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has discussed this issue directly with President Xi and was told that China will take steps to reduce its overcapacity. My Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer also raised it during his visit to China in February and My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills raised it with his counterpart in February. Similarly, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised it during his visit to China in April.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent representations he has made to the EU on the dumping of cheap Chinese steel in western European markets.

Responsibility for anti-dumping investigations and imposing anti-dumping measures against imports into the EU and the UK lies with the European Commission. These investigations are driven by requests from EU producers.

The Government makes regular representations to the Commission concerning allegations of dumping of steel. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister pressed for more action on dumping of steel at European Council on 17 and 18 March. The government judges each anti-dumping case on its merits, based on the evidence presented by the Commission and on representations from interested parties, including producers, users and importers, but is strongly in favour of effective trade defences to tackle unfair trade practices where justified. We have voted in favour of anti-dumping measures on several steel products since July, including the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures on reinforcing bar in January, an investigation for which we lobbied the Commission successfully, and on cold-rolled flat steel products in February.

We have supported industry calls for higher duties on specific cases where this is justified by the evidence. For example, in the reinforcing bar case we have raised the steel industry’s concerns that the provisional duties were too low with the Commission. My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke with Trade Commissioner Malmström about this and received assurances that the Commission will reconsider this during the definitive stage of the investigation, if industry can provide the necessary evidence.

We also welcomed the opening of four new anti-dumping investigations involving steel products earlier this year.

The government continues to push the Commission for faster, more effective action to deal with dumping of steel. This was one of the conclusions of the Extraordinary Competitiveness Council on Steel in November, a meeting which my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills was instrumental in convening. In advance of the Commission’s energy-intensive industry stakeholder’s summit on 15 February – another key action from the Competitiveness Council – the government and several other EU Member States sent a joint letter to the Commission, pressing it to make full and timely use of all trade defence instruments to tackle unfair trade. I played an active role at this summit. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has also raised these issues in discussions with Commissioner Malmström, most recently at the OECD conference on the challenges facing the steel industry on 18 April. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Minister for Intellectual Property reiterated the need for faster and more effective action on dumping at the Competitiveness Council held on 29 February and the Presidency conclusions of that Council reflected this message. I did likewise at the European Steel Day on 21 April. Officials also have regular discussions about anti-dumping cases with Commission officials and officials from other EU Member States.

The Government is also supporting a robust discussion of the issue of overcapacity through the EU’s ongoing dialogue with the Chinese and other governments, including at the OECD conference. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has discussed this issue directly with President Xi and was told that China will take steps to reduce its overcapacity. My Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer also raised it during his visit to China in February and My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills raised it with his counterpart in February. Similarly, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised it during his visit to China in April.

26th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make a comparative assessment of energy costs for heavy industry in the UK and in other EU countries.

UK industrial gas prices are among the lowest in Europe, while electricity prices are among the highest. Industrial energy use overall is split relatively evenly between electricity, gas and other fuels.

We are addressing the fundamental causes of the UK’s relatively high electricity costs, through:

  • Short-term cost control measures, including the Levy Control Framework actions on solar and onshore wind, announced in summer 2015;

  • Longer term measures including investment in new energy infrastructure (such as nuclear); and interconnection with French, Belgian and Norwegian networks which should help to reduce the difference between the electricity prices here and in Continental Europe.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department were in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15; and what the cost to his Department was of providing that allowance for staff based (i) in the UK and (ii) overseas in each such year.

Continuity of Education Allowances are not paid to any staff in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills at present or in the past.

26th Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether his Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

26th Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether her Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

13th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the long-term financial viability of print journalism and the newspaper industry.

The government is aware of the current challenges facing print journalism and the newspaper industry as the market adapts to the changing media landscape. We engage closely with the industry on this issue.

26th Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether his Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

2nd Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises in Essex that will have access to superfast broadband by completion of phase two of the superfast broadband programme.

By the end of phase two of the Superfast Broadband Programme approximately 93% of homes and businesses in Essex will have access to superfast broadband.
20th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding the BBC has received from the EU in the last five years; and what conditions were attached to the use of such funding.

The Department does not hold this information. Under government accounting guidelines organisations are required to publish all income received, however they are not required to publish individual grants unless they are significant for their own accounts. Under the terms of the Royal Charter and Agreement, the BBC is able to seek alternative sources of funding, within a strict framework which is set and administered by the BBC Trust.

15th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to ensure that bookmakers operate B2 and B3 gaming machines on an equal basis with amusement arcades.

I have no plans to allow B2 gaming machines in amusement arcades. In April 2014 the previous Government announced action which included £50 staking measures on B2 gaming machines in bookmakers which came into force in April 2015. I think we need to give time for these regulations to bed in before we consider further legislative options. I will also want to consult with a wide range of stakeholders on this issue before thinking about next steps.

24th Nov 2014
BBC
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has made of the next BBC licence fee settlement.

The Government has no plans currently. The Government has said that the right time to consider these questions is as part of the Charter Review; this will not be starting in advance of the Election in 2015.

26th Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether her Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's position, as set out by the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

12th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to (a) remove free school meals for children in primary school and (b) alter the provision of free school meals for children under the compulsory school age in England and Wales.

The continuation of universal infant free school meals was a commitment in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto. The government is currently conducting a Spending Review across all its programmes in England.

Policy on free school meals in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Government.

20th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that foster care is of the highest possible standard.

Ofsted is responsible for the regulation and inspection of all independent fostering services and includes local authority fostering services within their wider inspection protocol.

In 2013, the government streamlined and strengthened the assessment and approval process for foster carers. All foster carers continue to undergo a full and comprehensive assessment before they are approved by a fostering service. Supporting the recruitment and retention of foster carers is a priority - it is through the skills and dedication of these foster carers and those who work with them that we will improve outcomes for looked-after children. From 2013 to 2015, the government also invested £750,000 to support four local authority regional consortia to develop innovative strategies to help them recruit and retain the foster carers they need in their local area. In April 2015, the government also amended regulations to introduce ‘long term foster care’ as a distinct placement type. In cases such as these, statutory guidance is clear that the local authority should assess the ability of the identified foster carer to care for the child (this may be the foster carers currently looking after the child, or new carers who are best able to meet the child’s needs).

20th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many state-maintained primary schools in England have no male teachers on their permanent staff.

In November 2014, there were 3,516 state funded primary schools in England that reported having no male teachers in their service.[1]

[1] Source: School Workforce Census 2014: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2014

20th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to review (a) standards of foster care and (b) criteria for becoming a foster carer.

Ofsted is responsible for the regulation and inspection of all independent fostering services and includes local authority fostering services within their wider inspection protocol.

In 2013, the government streamlined and strengthened the assessment and approval process for foster carers. All foster carers continue to undergo a full and comprehensive assessment before they are approved by a fostering service. Supporting the recruitment and retention of foster carers is a priority - it is through the skills and dedication of these foster carers and those who work with them that we will improve outcomes for looked-after children. From 2013 to 2015, the government also invested £750,000 to support four local authority regional consortia to develop innovative strategies to help them recruit and retain the foster carers they need in their local area. In April 2015, the government also amended regulations to introduce ‘long term foster care’ as a distinct placement type. In cases such as these, statutory guidance is clear that the local authority should assess the ability of the identified foster carer to care for the child (this may be the foster carers currently looking after the child, or new carers who are best able to meet the child’s needs).

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department has paid in fines for what reasons to the EU in each of the last five years.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newton Abbott, Anne Marie Morris, to PQ UIN 31252 on 21 March 2016.

As from financial year 2010/11 Defra has accrued £336m for disallowance following the conclusion of EU audits, broken down by financial year as shown in the table below. This relates to a number of different Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Schemes over a number of historical scheme years as disallowance is paid in arrears. These are the only fines that have been imposed on Defra by the EU since 2010.

Disallowance (*) £m

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

181

42

2

30

81

(*) Reflects the sums the European Commission have ruled cannot be reimbursed (i.e. the amounts they have “disallowed”).

Disallowance is applied when we are considered to not have adequate controls in place to protect CAP expenditure, for example, where our inspection processes or the quality of our mapping have been deemed to be insufficient.

We are making a significant investment to improve the quality and currency of our mapping data, which is historically our biggest disallowance risk.

Other key sources of historic disallowance include failures to adequately control cross compliance, the Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation scheme and some of the Rural Development schemes.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff employed by the Environment Agency earn salaries of more than £100,000 per year.

This information is published annually as part of the government’s transparency agenda at: https://data.gov.uk/dataset/staff-organograms-and-pay-environment-agency

26th Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether her Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.

The Government's view is that the UK should remain in the EU and the civil service is working full time to support the Government’s position.