Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people seeking British nationality have been waiting more than (a) nine months and (b) one year for their application to be processed having paid all due fees.
Answered by Karen Bradley
(a) between 9 – 12 months 369 people.
(b) More than 12 months 487 people.
These figures are as of the end of September 2014, in line with the latest published data.
This compares with a peak in 2007-08 of 2592 people waiting between 9 and 12 months and 4166 people waiting more than 12 months.
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will assess the potential merits of signing a covenant with Portsmouth City Council to prevent the land at the St James' Hospital site being developed.
Answered by Dan Poulter
This is a matter for NHS Property Services (NHS PS).
NHS PS has advised that there is no operational rationale for a covenant to restrict the future use and development of surplus land and buildings at the site.
We understand there are local proposals, under the St Mary’s and St James’ Estate Project in Portsmouth, aiming:
- to make St Mary’s Community Health Campus the focus of community care services in Portsmouth;
- to retain mental health facilities at St James’ Hospital;
- to reduce substantial areas of unused space at both sites;
- to dispose of surplus land and buildings at St James’ and invest in St Mary’s and other NHS facilities in the city, and
- to generate savings of circa £3 million in the ongoing cost of running the NHS-owned and occupied estate.
As part of the rationalisation plans, we are advised surplus land and buildings at St James’ Hospital will be released for redevelopment and this will take place over two phases.
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to reach a decision on the future use of the shipbuilding sheds in Portsmouth which have been handed back to his Department by BAE Systems.
Answered by Anna Soubry
As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon) on 30 January 2015, three companies have been shortlisted for future use of the shipbuilding facilities - BAE Systems, Burgess Marine and Magma Structures. Preferred bidders for the shipyard site will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what bi-lateral discussions he has had with international partners on their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions before the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Amber Rudd
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed the negotiations for a new global climate deal, including countries’ Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), with a large number of his international counterparts.
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a preferred business which has shown interest in Shipyard Portsmouth following the closure of the period for expressions of interest in acquiring ownership of the shipyard.
Answered by Anna Soubry
Eight Formal Expressions of interest in the Portsmouth Shipyard were received by the 30 June closing date of which three have been shortlisted.
Details of the specific companies are being withheld as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many expressions of interest in Portsmouth Shipyard have been received.
Answered by Anna Soubry
Eight Formal Expressions of interest in the Portsmouth Shipyard were received by the 30 June closing date of which three have been shortlisted.
Details of the specific companies are being withheld as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any company which expressed interest in Portsmouth Shipyard has ship-building capability.
Answered by Anna Soubry
Eight Formal Expressions of interest in the Portsmouth Shipyard were received by the 30 June closing date of which three have been shortlisted.
Details of the specific companies are being withheld as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department issues to members of the public about where to buy a puppy.
Answered by George Eustice
Defra provides guidance on buying a puppy which is available on the GOV.UK website. The advice includes encouraging people to read the Puppy Information Pack provided by the Animal Welfare Foundation and RSPCA and to also use the Puppy Contract to get as much information about the puppy as possible.
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to make the principles of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme mandatory for anyone breeding dogs.
Answered by George Eustice
Defra fully supports the principles of the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme but considers it goes beyond the minimum standards set by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and so could not be used as the basis for regulations under the 2006 Act.
Asked by: Mike Hancock (Independent - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will encourage local authorities to use Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme inspectors to (a) conduct inspections on behalf of local authorities and (b) train local authority inspectors.
Answered by George Eustice
We are aware of the offer made by the Kennel Club to inspect and train local authority inspectors. Local authorities may choose to take up this offer or those made by other organisations.