James Gray Portrait

James Gray

Conservative - Former Member for North Wiltshire

First elected: 1st May 1997

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research
18th Jan 2023 - 30th May 2024
Environmental Audit Committee
8th Mar 2021 - 30th May 2024
Procedure Committee
20th Jul 2020 - 30th May 2024
Panel of Chairs
15th Jan 2020 - 30th May 2024
Pensions (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill
17th Apr 2024 - 24th Apr 2024
Environmental Audit Committee
4th Jun 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Panel of Chairs
22nd Jun 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Defence Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Panel of Chairs
21st Jun 2010 - 3rd May 2017
Defence Sub-Committee
7th Feb 2017 - 3rd May 2017
Defence Sub-Committee
8th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Administration Committee
20th Jul 2015 - 16th Jan 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly Quadripartite Committee)
1st Dec 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Defence Committee
4th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Procedure Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Committees on Arms Export Controls
1st Dec 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Finance and Services Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 10th Dec 2013
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
19th Feb 2007 - 6th May 2010
Regulatory Reform
12th Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
8th May 2005 - 19th May 2005
Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs
14th Jul 1997 - 13th Dec 2000


Division Voting information

James Gray has voted in 3099 divisions, and 80 times against the majority of their Party.

9 Feb 2021 - Trade Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 318 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 318 Noes - 303
19 Jan 2021 - Trade Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 319 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 319 Noes - 308
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 240 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 242
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 257 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 163
20 May 2020 - Liaison (Membership) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 316 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 262 Noes - 323
10 Mar 2020 - Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 301 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 306
18 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative No votes vs 65 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 328 Noes - 65
9 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 105 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 73
9 Apr 2019 - Section 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 131 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 420 Noes - 110
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 118 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 396 Noes - 83
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 74 Conservative Aye votes vs 112 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 85 Noes - 392
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 114 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 390 Noes - 81
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 203 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 509
27 Mar 2019 - EU Exit Day Amendment - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative No votes vs 150 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 105
27 Mar 2019 - Education - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 287 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 538 Noes - 21
12 Mar 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative No votes vs 235 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 391
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
9 Mar 2016 - Enterprise Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 281 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 286
8 Dec 2015 - Serious and Organised Crime: Prüm Convention - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 264 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 503
16 Nov 2015 - Council of Europe - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Conservative Aye votes vs 170 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 34 Noes - 171
7 Sep 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 276 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 312
26 Mar 2015 - Elections for Positions in the House - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Conservative No votes vs 198 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 228
11 Mar 2015 - Ark Pension Schemes - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 122 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 113
24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 63 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 65
19 Nov 2014 - EU Justice and Home Affairs Measures - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Conservative No votes vs 162 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 421 Noes - 29
10 Nov 2014 - Business of the House (Today) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative No votes vs 209 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 242
10 Nov 2014 - Criminal Law - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative No votes vs 223 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
12 Sep 2014 - International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative No votes vs 60 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 7
12 Sep 2014 - International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative No votes vs 58 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 164 Noes - 6
5 Sep 2014 - Prayers - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative Aye votes vs 189 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
13 May 2014 - Consumer Rights Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative Aye votes vs 237 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 17 Noes - 281
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative No votes vs 201 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 453 Noes - 24
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 48 Conservative No votes vs 139 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 391 Noes - 57
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 56 Conservative Aye votes vs 136 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 70 Noes - 375
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Conservative No votes vs 215 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 481 Noes - 34
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 207 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
31 Oct 2012 - Multiannual Financial Framework - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
10 Jul 2012 - House of Lords Reform Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
12 Mar 2012 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
James Gray 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
James Gray 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
25 Oct 2011 - Public Bodies Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative Aye votes vs 255 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 235 Noes - 287
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
13 Oct 2011 - Procedure Committee Reports - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 43 Conservative Aye votes vs 124 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 206
11 Oct 2011 - Delegated legislation - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
10 Oct 2011 - Protection of Freedoms Bill (Programme) (No. 3) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 40 Conservative Aye votes vs 198 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 62 Noes - 243
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 368
13 Jul 2011 - Youth Employment - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 24 Conservative Aye votes vs 32 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 35
11 Jul 2011 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
24 May 2011 - Eurozone Financial Assistance - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
23 Mar 2011 - Section 6 of the european union (amendment) act 2008 - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
15 Feb 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 253 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 247
10 Nov 2010 - European Union Economic Governance - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
2 Nov 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 264 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 31 Noes - 549
2 Nov 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative No votes vs 268 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 321 Noes - 264
25 Oct 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
21 Apr 2009 - Manchester City Council Bill [Lords] and Bournemouth Borough Council Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Conservative No votes vs 22 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 234 Noes - 10
1 Apr 2009 - Nick Cousins - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 21
11 Mar 2009 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative Aye votes vs 52 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 5 Noes - 291
29 Oct 2008 - Manchester City Council Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
29 Oct 2008 - Manchester City Council Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative No votes vs 54 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 11
29 Oct 2008 - Bournemouth Borough Council Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 45 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 15
29 Oct 2008 - Bournemouth Borough Council Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 35 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 228 Noes - 14
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 50 Conservative Aye votes vs 67 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 84 Noes - 387
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
James Gray 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
James Gray 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
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
James Gray 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
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
7 Dec 2021 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 289 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 296
25 Jan 2022 - Judicial Review and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 299 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 211
18 Oct 2022 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 113 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 110
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
28 Jun 2023 - Education - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 237 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 373 Noes - 28
View All James Gray 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.

View all James Gray's debates

Latest EDMs signed by James Gray

21st March 2024
James Gray signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 15th April 2024

Town and Country Planning

Tabled by: Keir Starmer (Labour - Holborn and St Pancras)
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Town and Country Planning (Former RAF Scampton) (Accommodation for Asylum-Seekers etc.) Special Development Order 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 412), dated 20 March 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 21 March 2024, be annulled.
31 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Apr 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 22
Labour: 9
4th March 2024
James Gray signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 7th March 2024

Future defence spending

Tabled by: Giles Watling (Conservative - Clacton)
That this House calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to require that a minimum of 3% of GDP be allocated to defence spending; recognises that defence spending is at a three-year high but should be protected to prevent economic downturns from impacting the defence budget adversely; believes …
6 signatures
(Most recent: 23 Apr 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
View All James Gray's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by James Gray, 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.



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
1 Other Department Questions
3rd Mar 2015
To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, how many applications have been received by the Commissioners for funding from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair fund; when the Commissioners will determine which of those applications have been successful; and what assessment the Commissioners have made of the proportion of those applications likely to be wholly or partly successful.

The Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Scheme is not administered by the Church Commissioners but by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

The Church Commissioners understand that despite the very short window for applications, a very substantial number have been submitted. This amply illustrates the need for such a scheme.

All decisions regarding successful bids should be completed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund by the end of March.

23rd May 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, under what circumstances citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to the Government and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of Government can be subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

Cabinet Office does not centrally collect the specific data requested.

23rd May 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what percentage of the data held by his Department is hosted by (a) Amazon Web Services London Region and (b) Amazon Web Services in other data centres.

Information requested is not collated and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

7th Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the value of his Department's contracts was with (a) Amazon Web Services, (b) Oracle Fusion, (c) Microsoft Azure, (d) Vodafone, (e) DXC, (f) SCC and (g) UKCloud in financial years (i) 2012-2013, (ii) 2013-2014, (iii) 2014-2015, (iv) 2015-2016 and (v) 2016-2017.

Since January 2011, details of central government contracts above the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:

https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive

Those published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

1st Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to his Department and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of his Department that is subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

I refer the Honourable gentleman to the response to PQ128071 answered on 22 February.

26th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to encourage UK SMEs and other UK suppliers to win cloud-hosting contracts.

Public sector procurers are required to seek value for money through fair and open competition and in line with our current international obligations.

The Government wants UK companies to be successful in public procurement, and we are seeking to ensure the huge purchasing power of government supports the task of boosting growth, and enables us to actively shape the UK market for the long term.

19th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to support British digital and cloud services its companies through procurement policies.

Public sector procurers are required to seek value for money through fair and open competition and in line with our current international obligations.

The Government wants UK companies to be successful in public procurement, and we are seeking to ensure the huge purchasing power of government supports the task of boosting growth, and enables us to actively shape the UK market for the long term.

19th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking in its procurement policy to tackle aggressive tax avoidance by government suppliers.

The 2015 Public Contract Regulations implemented the latest EU Public Procurement Directive, and require public bodies to exclude suppliers from a procurement where the supplier has been found guilty of breaching its obligations in relation to payment of taxes and this has been established by a judicial or administrative decision having final effect within the relevant jurisdiction.

19th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is Government policy to award cloud hosting contracts only to US hyperscale cloud providers; how many and what proportion of Government cloud hosting contracts have been awarded to hyperscale cloud providers and what the value was of those contracts in each of the last three years.

It is not government policy to award only to US hyperscale cloud providers. It is our policy to award contracts on the basis of value for money, whilst doing everything we can to encourage UK suppliers, and UK SME's in particular, to win business. This is achieved through competitive tender in accordance with public procurement legislation.

Information on cloud hosting contracts for Government as a whole is not held centrally.

19th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to Government and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of Government that is subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

Cabinet Office does not centrally collect the specific data requested.

Information regarding contracts above the value of £10,000 is published on Contracts Finder on GOV.UK, available at https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder.

The Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Information Commissioner’s Office also have responsibilities in this area.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what percentage of the data held by his Department is hosted by (a) Amazon Web Services London Region and (b) Amazon Web Services in other data centres.

Information requested is not collated and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

6th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many and what proportion of his Department’s cloud-hosting contracts have been awarded to (a) hyperscale cloud providers and (b) UK SMEs; and what the value of those contracts was in each of the last three years.

Information regarding how many and what proportion of the Department’s (BEIS) cloud-hosting contracts have been awarded to (a) hyperscale cloud providers and (b) UK SMEs: and the value of those contracts in each of the last three years, is not held in a format that can be fully and easily extracted. This could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

However, we can confirm the following in relation to (a) and (b).

a) From records held centrally, BEIS has four cloud hosting contracts. We regard three of these to be hyperscale providers. In total these contracts have a value of £883k for 2017/18.

b) The other cloud hosting provider is an SME. This contract has a maximum value of £280k over the last three years.

6th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to his Department and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of his Department that is subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not centrally collect the specific data requested.

Information regarding contracts above the value of £10,000 is published on Contracts Finder on GOV.UK, available at https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder.

The Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Information Commissioner’s Office also have responsibilities in this area.

20th Nov 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what security measures his Department has in place relating to the receipt by his Department of incoming post and parcels; and what discussions he has had with the British Forces Post Office on providing such services.

The Department has appropriate physical security measures to ensure a safe and secure working environment for staff. However, the Department does not provide specific details on the security measures it has in place.

There has been no correspondence between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the British Forces Postal Office on providing such services. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations are published quarterly on the Gov.UK website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy&publication_type=transparency-data

Information for July – September 2017 will be published in due course.

5th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many and what proportion of his Department’s cloud-hosting contracts have been awarded to (a) hyperscale cloud providers and (b) UK SMEs; and what the value was of those contracts in each of the last three years.

We did not award any contracts to hyperscale cloud providers.

There was no requirement to award UK SMEs cloud hosting contracts in 2015 or 2016. In 2017 we awarded £41,850 to UK SMEs.

5th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to his department and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of his Department that is subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

DCMS does not centrally collect the specific data requested.

Information regarding contracts above the value of £10,000 is published on Contracts Finder on GOV.UK, available at https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder.

The Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Information Commissioner’s Office also have responsibilities in this area.

22nd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with Imagile Infrastructure Management on the delays to its completion of its planned expansion of Malmesbury Academy; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has not met Imagile Infrastructure Management on the delays to its completion of its planned expansion of Malmesbury Academy.

The department has not funded the expansion. The expansion has been funded by Wiltshire local authority, using money they have received from Section 106 funding.

22nd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what private finance initiative contracts his Department has awarded to Imagile Infrastructure Management in each year for which such information is available.

The Department has not awarded any private finance initiative contracts to Imagile Infrastructure Management.

22nd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many complaints he has received about delays to private finance initiative contracts administered by Imagile Infrastructure Management in each year for which such information is available.

The Department is not aware of any complaints received about delays to private finance contracts administered by Imagile Infrastructure Management.

22nd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department takes to ensure that (a) Imagile Infrastructure Management and (b) other private finance initiative providers holding contracts with his Department are held to account for their performance.

Imagile Infrastructure Management does not hold any private finance contracts with this Department. The only private finance contracts entered into by this Department are the five private finance 2 contracts procured under the recent Priority School Building Programme. The Department actively manages and enforces those contracts to hold the providers under those contracts to account for their performance.

2nd Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to his Department and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of his Department that is subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

The department’s cloud hosting contracts have been awarded to UK SMEs over the past three years. We did not award any contracts to hyperscale cloud providers. See table below:

Contract Start

CDW Ltd (Reseller on behalf of Microsoft)

The provision of Cloud Compute Services. Azure Windows Virtual Machines / VMs

01/07/2017 – 30/06/2018

Bytes Software Services (Reseller on behalf of Microsoft Ltd)

Azure hosting

12/06/2017 – 11/06/2020

Eduserv (Eduserv do not hold any data following decommissioning)

IaaS Secure and Private Cloud Compute Services with ancillary requirements for managing infrastructure

31/07/2015 – 31/07/2017

Eduserv (Eduserv do not hold any data following decommissioning)

IaaS Private Cloud Hosting and Cloud migration support -

31/07/2017 – 31/12/2017

The department is not aware of any databases containing citizen data that are stored by its cloud providers in jurisdictions that are subject to information request by US administration bodies.

20th Nov 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what security measures her Department has in place relating to the receipt by her Department of incoming post and parcels; and what discussions she has had with the British Forces Postal Office on providing such services.

The department follows guidance issued by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure for establishing secure postal monitoring services. We have had no discussions with the British Forces Postal Office on providing screening mail services.

1st Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government plans to allow (a) boat owners to visit marinas and (b) marinas to re-open as the covid-19 restrictions are eased; what discussions he has had with representatives of the Royal Yachting Association on re-opening marinas for boat owners; for what reason marinas were not specifically mentioned in the Government's Covid-19 Response: Spring 2021 roadmap, published on 22 February 2021; and how boat owners can gain access to their boats for regular maintenance while marinas are closed during the covid-19 lockdown.

The Government’s four-step roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, while preserving the health and safety of the country. The approach focuses on scientific data, not hard and fast dates. The dates shown in the roadmap are the earliest that changes will be made, subject to the data confirming it is safe to do so.

Marinas have not been required to close during the lockdown and have been able to open for permitted activities. Boating activities, including access to marinas and their re-opening where they are closed, should be conducted in line with the roadmap. The Royal Yachting Association is represented at regular stakeholder meetings between Defra officials and other inland waterway representatives.

Boat owners wishing to access their boats during periods of national lockdown should consult the relevant coronavirus regulations and associated guidance on the GOV.UK website to determine what is and is not permitted. Navigation authorities, other industry representatives, and membership bodies in many instances also publish guidance for their waterways on their websites.

Non-essential travel is not permitted anywhere in England during the national lockdown, and while the regulations around essential travel do include some exemptions, attending to regular boat maintenance is not one of them. The regulations allow for an individual or company to employ someone in a professional capacity to visit their boat to undertake regular maintenance works, and they also allow people to leave home exceptionally to secure their second home, caravan or boat to avoid it posing a risk of harm or injury to themselves or others.

From 29 March, people will no longer be legally required to Stay at Home, but should continue to minimise travel wherever possible and should not be staying away from home overnight at this stage.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many seals have been shot to protect (a) aquaculture and (b) fisheries interests in England in each of the last 10 years.

Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season (when they have pups) or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so by a licence issued under the Act. In the last ten years there have been no licenses issued to shoot seals to protect aquaculture or fisheries interests in England.

Fishers have the legal defence to take unlicensed emergency measures in relation to individual seals to prevent damage to their fishing equipment or fish contained within it. There are no reporting requirements under this provision.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in relation to the introduction of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provision Rule by that country.

Defra is working closely with Marine Scotland, the Marine Management Organisation, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Seafish, the University of St Andrews, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the British Embassy in Washington DC on the UK’s approach to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Our aim is that the UK can continue to export to the United States when the MMPA is implemented on 1 January 2022.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that data obtained in respect of marine mammal bycatch monitoring meets the requirements of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provision Rule.

We have a long-term UK bycatch monitoring programme that uses dedicated observers to focus monitoring efforts on fisheries that pose a high risk of cetacean bycatch. The data from this programme have been used to complete our response to the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to fulfil requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

We continue to engage with the United States to discuss the details of the UK’s approach to cetacean bycatch monitoring and management and to ensure that we meet the requirements of the MMPA Import Provision Rule.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to eliminate seal shooting in UK waters before the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provision Rule deadline of 1 January 2022.

Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season (when they have pups) or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so under exceptional circumstances or by a licence issued under the Act. In the last ten years there have been no licenses issued to shoot seals to protect aquaculture or fisheries interests in England.

The UK Government and devolved administrations are in regular dialogue with the EU, the United States and stakeholders about our US Marine Mammal Protection Act preparation, including any implications for UK seal licensing regimes, to ensure future access to US markets.

17th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that no decision will be taken on Marine Aggregate Dredging Application MLA/2016/00227, South Goodwin Sands, Area 521 by the Marine Management Organisation until the Secretary of State for Defence has come to a decision to designate the area under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) made a determination on whether to designate the Goodwin Sands as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (PMRA 1986) on 2 June 2017. The MoD determined that due to the size and dimensions of a controlled site it would prevent any whole scale designation of the area of the Goodwin Sands.

17th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that no decision will be taken on Marine Aggregate Dredging Application MLA/2016/00227, South Goodwin Sands, Area 521 by the Marine Management Organisation until the Secretary of State for Defence has come to a decision on the application made by Marinet Ltd on 22 February 2017, to designate all or part of area 521 as a controlled area under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) made a determination on whether to designate the Goodwin Sands as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (PMRA 1986) on 2 June 2017. The MoD determined that due to the size and dimensions of a controlled site it would prevent any whole scale designation of the area of the Goodwin Sands.

25th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the annual expenditure by farmers on pre-movement testing and other short interval tests.

500,488 cattle were included in 35,999 pre-movement tests performed in England between 01/11/2015 and 31/10/2016, at an average unit cost that has been estimated between £3 and £5 in veterinary fees per animal tested. These are private tests paid by the farmer and therefore the actual testing fees are a private arrangement between farmers and their veterinary surgeons.

3,104,324 cattle were included in approximately 12,008 complete Short Interval tests performed in England between 01/11/2015 and 31/10/2016. These tests are carried out at Government’s expense in most cases unless a farmer opts to pay privately for the testing

Information on Pre-movement testing can be found at the TB Hub

www.tbhub.co.uk/guidance/testing-and-compensation/pre-movement-testing/

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Government spent on annual testing of cattle in the high risk, edge and low risk areas in each of the last three years.

These are the figures currently available for annual testing in England for the three areas:

Edge

High Risk

Low Risk

April 2016 to 20 Oct 2016

£745,617

£1,261,432

£15,928

May 2015 to March 2016

£1,169,118

£2,001,883

£35,589

The total does not include any testing undertaken by Official Veterinarians in the first few months of year 2015-2016. Testing prior to year 2015-2016 is not available at the moment as the Veterinary Delivery Partners only started operating in May 2015. The testing undertaken by Official Veterinarians up to a point in 2015 is not readily available.

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) average, (b) minimum and (c) longest time between an animal testing positive for TB at a farm test and being collected from that farm for destruction has been in the last 12 months.

Data for the previous 12 months is not readily available due to a change in the way this data is recorded in April 2016.

Removal times for the period April 2016 to November 2016 -

a) Average number of days = 9.3

b) Minimum number of days = 0

c) Maximum number of days = 89 days (as a result of farmer refusal to allow removal and bankruptcy complications).

These figures include animals slaughtered on farm for welfare or other reasons and those for which there was a delay in removal for any reason including to allow for calving, medicine withdrawal.

These figures cover England, Scotland and Wales.

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many abattoirs in the UK process TB reactor cattle.

There are a total of six abattoirs contracted by the Animal and Plant Health Agency to accept TB reactor cattle – five in England, one in Wales. There is also an abattoir in Scotland that routinely takes reactors from farms in Scotland for the Animal and Plant Health Agency. However owners can choose to privately slaughter any reactor animal under a private arrangement with a slaughterhouse of their choice, which may or may not be one of these seven abattoirs.

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many abattoirs in the UK processed TB reactor cattle in 2016.

There are a total of 6 abattoirs contracted by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to accept TB reactor cattle – 5 in England, 1 in Wales. There is also an abattoir in Scotland that routinely takes reactors from farms in Scotland for the Animal and Plant Health Agency. All of these received reactor cattle in 2016. Other abattoirs would have been used to slaughter reactors under a private arrangement with the owner. The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not have a list detailing abattoirs that processed reactors under a private arrangement with the owner.

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the furthest distance is in (a) time and (b) mileage that a TB reactor cow has travelled to a UK abattoir which processed TB reactor cattle in the last three years.

The furthest journey recorded in the last three years was agreed for six cattle, in December 2015.

a) The estimated journey time was 4.5 hours.

b) The furthest reported distance travelled by a reactor in the last 3 years is 260 miles.

This was agreed as the nearest contracted abattoirs were unable to take the reactors within the ten working day target for removal.

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the annual value is, excluding testing costs on farm or in a laboratory, of TB reactor salvage to the Government.

Defra received £8.8m in 2015/16 in salvage receipts for TB reactor cattle.

24th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total cost of transport and lairage is for TB reactor cattle travelling the furthest distance.

The cost for using the six contracted abattoirs for reactor removal is calculated per mile and this varies depending on the number of animals in the batch.

The maximum distance travelled would generally be 199 miles.

If travelling 199 miles:

  • 1-5 animals would cost £407.95.
  • 6-10 animals would cost £489.54
  • 11-17 animals would cost £561.18
  • 17+ animals would cost £610.93
24th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the Indian government in protecting Asian elephants.

The UK is committed to conserving Asian elephants and recognises the growing threats to their populations, particularly from poaching and cross-border, illegal trade in live animals to feed the demand by the tourist and entertainment industries. The UK has been working internationally through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in discussion with elephant range states, including India, to increase protection for Asian elephants. We secured agreement in 2014 for elephant range states to put in place measures to prevent illegal trade in live elephants.

The Darwin Initiative, a UK Government grants scheme that helps to protect biodiversity and the natural environment, has in the past contributed over £300,000 towards a five-year project in Assam, India, helping to mitigate human-elephant conflict. Indian organisations working on elephant protection will also be eligible to apply for funding under a second round of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, part of the £13 million that the Government has made available to support action to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

As a global leader on this issue, the UK Government hosted the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in February 2014 and played a major role in the success of the follow-up conference in Botswana in March 2015. The UK Government has a broad and deep relationship with India on a wide range of issues, including biodiversity, and we look forward to working further with the Indian Government on the protection of the Asian elephant and other threats to biodiversity in that region.

1st Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many and what proportion of his Department’s cloud hosting contracts have been awarded to (a) hyperscale cloud providers and (b) UK SMEs; and what the value was of those contracts in each of the last three years.

The Department for Exiting the European Union uses information technology services provided by the Cabinet Office. Therefore, I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 129786.

1st Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK citizens’ data held by companies (a) supplying cloud services to his Department and (b) contracted to deliver cloud services on behalf of his Department that is subject to information requests from US Government bodies.

The Department for Exiting the European Union uses information technology systems and information management expertise provided by the Cabinet Office. Therefore, I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 128071.

20th Nov 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what security measures his Department has in place relating to the receipt by his Department of incoming post and parcels; and what discussions he has had with the British Forces Postal Office on providing such services.

This information cannot be disclosed as it may jeopardise the Department’s Protective Security stance.

However, as Department Exiting the European Union is a tenant in other government department’s buildings, it abides by the rules and regulations that they stipulate for the delivery and management of mail and parcels.

All secure mail is handled as part of the Government Secure Mail Service, which may include the use of the British Forces Postal Office, but the Department has not had any direct communications with the BFPO about providing these services.

9th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many and what proportion of his Department’s cloud hosting contracts have been awarded to (a) hyperscale cloud providers and (b) UK SMEs, and what the value was of those contracts in each of the last three years.

The Department for International Trade was formed in July 2016. In 2016 one contract was awarded to a UK small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) for cloud hosting. In 2017 one contract was awarded to a UK SME and one contract was awarded to a hyperscale cloud provider for cloud hosting. These proportions are shown in the table below.

The value and proportion of these contracts by value of UK SME and hyper scale provider is as follows:

Hosting only

Actual

2016

£50,000

2017

£408,926

Total cloud hosting

£458,926

2016

£50,000

2017

£8,926

SME cloud hosting

£58,926

2016

100.0%

2017

2.2%

% SME

12.8%

20th Nov 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what security measures his Department has in place relating to the receipt by his Department of incoming post and parcels; and what discussions he has had with the British Forces Postal Office on providing such services.

The Department of International Trade (DIT) follows government security standards relating to the receipt of incoming post and parcels, as laid out under the HMG Security Policy Framework and as appropriate for each DIT location. DIT has not had discussions with the British Forces Post Office on this matter.

27th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency plans his Department has put in place to mitigate disruption to air travel in the event of a large Icelandic volcanic eruption.

The department prepares for a wide range of incidents that have the potential to disrupt air operations in the UK.

Details on the risk to aviation from an Icelandic Volcanic event are set out in “UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies 2017.” This document includes details on the actions taken by government and industry since the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in 2010, as well as an assessment of the likelihood and impact of a future eruption. This covers both the risk of disruption from an ash rich eruption, as well as air pollution risks posed by a prolonged gas rich eruption, generating large amounts of sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosol.

We are confident that contingency plans developed by the government and the aviation industry, alongside actions taken by the Icelandic authorities, will reduce significantly the level of disruption arising from a similar eruption to that in 2010. Volcanic activity across Iceland is kept under constant scrutiny and the contingency plans can be deployed quickly if required.

27th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the level of disruption to air travel as a result of the potential for an Icelandic volcanic eruption.

The department prepares for a wide range of incidents that have the potential to disrupt air operations in the UK.

Details on the risk to aviation from an Icelandic Volcanic event are set out in “UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies 2017.” This document includes details on the actions taken by government and industry since the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in 2010, as well as an assessment of the likelihood and impact of a future eruption. This covers both the risk of disruption from an ash rich eruption, as well as air pollution risks posed by a prolonged gas rich eruption, generating large amounts of sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosol.

We are confident that contingency plans developed by the government and the aviation industry, alongside actions taken by the Icelandic authorities, will reduce significantly the level of disruption arising from a similar eruption to that in 2010. Volcanic activity across Iceland is kept under constant scrutiny and the contingency plans can be deployed quickly if required.

27th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to reduce the level of disruption to air travel since the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in 2010.

The department prepares for a wide range of incidents that have the potential to disrupt air operations in the UK.

Details on the risk to aviation from an Icelandic Volcanic event are set out in “UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies 2017.” This document includes details on the actions taken by government and industry since the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in 2010, as well as an assessment of the likelihood and impact of a future eruption. This covers both the risk of disruption from an ash rich eruption, as well as air pollution risks posed by a prolonged gas rich eruption, generating large amounts of sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosol.

We are confident that contingency plans developed by the government and the aviation industry, alongside actions taken by the Icelandic authorities, will reduce significantly the level of disruption arising from a similar eruption to that in 2010. Volcanic activity across Iceland is kept under constant scrutiny and the contingency plans can be deployed quickly if required.

27th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with his Icelandic counterpart on the risk of a volcanic eruption in that region.

The department prepares for a wide range of incidents that have the potential to disrupt air operations in the UK.

Details on the risk to aviation from an Icelandic Volcanic event are set out in “UK National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies 2017.” This document includes details on the actions taken by government and industry since the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in 2010, as well as an assessment of the likelihood and impact of a future eruption. This covers both the risk of disruption from an ash rich eruption, as well as air pollution risks posed by a prolonged gas rich eruption, generating large amounts of sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosol.

We are confident that contingency plans developed by the government and the aviation industry, alongside actions taken by the Icelandic authorities, will reduce significantly the level of disruption arising from a similar eruption to that in 2010. Volcanic activity across Iceland is kept under constant scrutiny and the contingency plans can be deployed quickly if required.