Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the policy implications for his Department of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Damian Hinds
We are currently preparing for a smooth and orderly exit from the EU and are confident we will be able to secure a deal that works in the mutual interests of both the UK and the rest of the European Union. We are considering various policy options and it would be wrong to set out further positions at this stage.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government has made to the Turkish Government on recent military activity in the Aegean Sea.
Answered by Alan Duncan
As NATO allies, the UK and Turkish governments regularly discuss military activity in the Aegean Sea, particularly NATO operations.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he will announce the future dates of Joint Ministerial Committee meetings with the devolved administrations on Exiting the EU between now and the triggering of Article 50.
Answered by Robin Walker
Dates for the Joint Ministerial Committee are agreed by consensus across the four governments. Dates of JMC(EN) meetings are not usually publicised in advance.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he plans to establish an agreed UK position involving the devolved administrations before triggering Article 50.
Answered by Robin Walker
We are committed to working closely with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that we get the best possible deal for all parts of the United Kingdom. This is exactly why we have set up a Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations, which brings together the UK Government and devolved administrations to develop a UK-wide approach. All of the devolved administrations have outlined to the Government their priorities for our future relationship with the EU. We welcome all proposals and are committed to carefully considering the options put forward. But we have been clear that no part of the UK will get a veto.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many times the Government has used freedom of movement controls relating to Directive 2004/38/EC since 2010.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
In accordance with EU law, the Government can restrict free movement rights in individual cases where any of the following conditions apply:
a) Where the conditions of residence under the Free Movement Directive are not met
b) On grounds of public policy, public security or public health, or
c) In the event of abuse or fraud (such as a marriage of convenience)
Published statistics on the number of enforced removals and the total refused entry at port and subsequently departed are available onGOV.UK.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has for the UK to ratify the UN Declaration on the Construction of Main International Traffic Arteries 1950.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport has no current plans to ratify this Declaration.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of how many staff and negotiators government departments will need to recruit for the negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Ben Gummer
All departments are equipping themselves with the resources they need to get the best deal for the UK. We are not in a position to give a final total for particular groups of staff as recruitment is ongoing and we will not be giving a running commentary on negotiations.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when in Spring 2017 he plans to implement the changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Renewable Heat Incentive reforms will be implemented on the date the updated regulations for the scheme come into force. It is intended these changes will be implemented in spring 2017; the specific date is not known as yet, as it is subject to Parliamentary processes.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Consumer Ombudsman regime.
Answered by Margot James
The Consumer Ombudsman is run by Ombudsman Services, a not for profit private sector company. Chartered Trading Standards Institute, who act on behalf of my rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, have audited and approved Ombudsman Services as being compliant with the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Regulations.
The Government is committed to an ADR landscape that works for all those who wish to use it. I meet regularly with consumer representatives and enforcement bodies to discuss a range of issues, including ADR.
A number of detailed responses to a call for evidence in June were received that related to the ADR regime. The Department is considering these responses carefully and a response will be published in due course.
Asked by: Richard Arkless (Scottish National Party - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will provide an update on plans for the visit of President Trump to the UK.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We look forward to welcoming President Trump later this year. We believe the President of the United States should be extended the full courtesy of a State Visit. Dates and arrangements have yet to be finalised.