Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the use of funding from the public purse provided to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We support the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat, in particular around the promotion of democratic values and development. We expect the Secretariat to use any funding we provide efficiently and effectively in line with its agreed budget, financial procedures and priorities. In addition to being considered by external auditors, the Secretariat's budget is assessed by the Commonwealth's Executive Committee and Board of Governors at regular meetings. The UK is a member of both groups, represented by the UK's Commonwealth Envoy.
We are committed to supporting the Secretary General's efforts to reform and revitalise the Commonwealth Secretariat and to working with her and our Commonwealth partners to strengthen the organisation.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has received since 2015 on the suitability of Baroness Scotland of Asthal for the role of Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Commonwealth leaders elected Baroness Scotland to be the Commonwealth Secretary-General from a field of candidates at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015. She has made a strong start as Secretary-General, bringing vision, dynamism and new energy for reform. We are pleased that on taking office she immediately instigated a review of the Secretariat. We strongly support her efforts to make the Secretariat lean, effective and aligned to deliver where the Commonwealth adds real value. My noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns, Minister for the Commonwealth, has met a number of London-based Commonwealth High Commissioners, many of whom are supportive of the Secretary-General and her reform agenda. Leading institutional reform is challenging, but it is vital to ensure the Commonwealth delivers value for money, operates effectively and remains fit for purpose.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will disclose which candidate for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth the UK voted for during the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting in November 2015.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Baroness Scotland was elected at a meeting to which only Heads of Government were invited. The Government never discloses how it votes.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps his Department has taken to detect and prevent electoral fraud involving polling cards and voter registration.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
The Electoral Commission provides guidance on preventing and reporting electoral fraud sets out the role of Local Electoral Registration Officers, Returning Officers, the police and political parties in detecting and preventing fraud. This guidance can be found online.
Moreover, the security of registration has been improved by the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration. This service checks the details provided by the applicant, including their National Insurance number, against government data before passing the application to the relevant local electoral administration team.
For applications with no National Insurance number and other applications not verified through the digital service, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will seek further information regarding identity. For all registration applications, online or otherwise, the ERO is also responsible for ensuring that other eligibility requirements, such as the nationality of the applicant, are satisfactorily met.
Finally, the Government considers the integrity of the electoral system of the utmost importance and has recently welcomed the report published by Sir Eric Pickles into electoral fraud.
The Government will closely consider the recommendations laid out in that report and issue its response shortly.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps his Department has taken to detect and prevent electoral fraud at polling stations.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
The Electoral Commission provides guidance on preventing and reporting electoral fraud sets out the role of Local Electoral Registration Officers, Returning Officers, the police and political parties in detecting and preventing fraud. This guidance can be found online.
Moreover, the security of registration has been improved by the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration. This service checks the details provided by the applicant, including their National Insurance number, against government data before passing the application to the relevant local electoral administration team.
For applications with no National Insurance number and other applications not verified through the digital service, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will seek further information regarding identity. For all registration applications, online or otherwise, the ERO is also responsible for ensuring that other eligibility requirements, such as the nationality of the applicant, are satisfactorily met.
Finally, the Government considers the integrity of the electoral system of the utmost importance and has recently welcomed the report published by Sir Eric Pickles into electoral fraud.
The Government will closely consider the recommendations laid out in that report and issue its response shortly.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the sale of MDP Wethersfield on (a) the Volunteer Glider Squadron based there and (b) air cadets in the Eastern region.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
All units based at Wethersfield including 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron will be provided for elsewhere. Work to identify the future location for these units will be completed later this year. We are strongly committed to the Air Cadets in the Eastern Region and 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, when it moves from Wethersfield, will expand into its new role as a regional hub.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the sale of Knightsbridge Barracks; and when he expects the site to be put out to tender.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Development)
The plans to dispose of Hyde Park Barracks are in development and it is too early to say when land may be released for sale.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the selling of MDP Wethersfield on the Ministry of Defence Police.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
There is not expected to be any effect on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police. 91% of all operational MOD Police Officers are stationed at other locations around the United Kingdom with Wethersfield providing a Headquarters and training capability. The functions and facilities currently provided at Wethersfield to support the Ministry of Defence Police have already been surveyed and they will be re-provided at a new location. The eventual move of the MOD Police from Wethersfield will be managed to ensure minimal disruption or risk to the policing and security of the Defence estate
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what property assets his Department (a) has sold in the last five years and (b) plans to sell before 2020 as part of the Government's commitment to dispose of surplus assets and make better use of the Department's estate.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
A copy of the Department's property assets sold within the last five years is attached.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to releasing land to accommodate 55,000 homes before 2020, in support of the Government's public sector land release target. The MOD has also committed to reducing the built Defence estate by 30% by 2040. This year in January and March I announced 19 sites which will provide land for some 21,000 homes in this Parliament. By the end of this year I shall clarify further land release plans.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of potential alternative uses of MDP Wethersfield.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence together with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) jointly commissioned a study by Cushmann Wakefield in 2015 to identify potential future uses for the Wethersfield site, subject to all necessary planning approvals.
The study reported that the site had the potential to be a mixed development of commercial/employment, housing, education and community uses with supporting public open space.
The HCA will work closely with the Local Planning Authority and other interested parties to consider the best possible future uses for the site.