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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Greening Government Commitments Annual Report 2013 to 2014, published in February 2015, what steps she plans to take to improve implementation of policy on procurement of construction timber and office furniture by government departments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Greening Government Commitments Annual Report 2013 to 2014, published in February 2015, what steps she plans to take to improve implementation of policy on procurement of construction timber and office furniture by government departments.
The Government continues to promote and support the Timber Procurement Policy (TPP). This includes the provision of practical advice to public sector procurers and suppliers through the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET), which provides guidance and information through a helpdesk and regular, targeted workshops. Central Government Departments report annually on the application of the policy in construction contracts for the purposes of the Greening Government Commitments. CPET is reviewing the certification schemes that support the TPP to ensure they are sufficiently robust, and will report in the summer.
I am writing to Departments reminding them of the importance of the TPP, pointing them to the example of best practice of the Environment Agency as summarised in WWF’s recent report on Government implementation of the TPP, and asking for details of how they are ensuring implementation, for example by including the TPP in contracts and in key performance indicators. The Government Buying Standards (GBS) for Construction and for Timber Products require the TPP to be met. These GBS are now included in the CCS Facilities Management Framework contract, with work ongoing to ensure all future Government contracts include these criteria.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will invite the Pensions Regulator to submit a Climate Change Adaptation Report looking at the effect of climate change on the UK pensions sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will invite the Pensions Regulator to submit a Climate Change Adaptation Report looking at the effect of climate change on the UK pensions sector.
The current round of reporting under the Adaptation Reporting Power is already underway and its scope was subject to a full public consultation. The Pensions Regulator was not invited to report.
We will review and consult on the third round of reporting, taking account of our latest assessment of climate risk, during which the involvement of a range of new reporters will be considered.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer given by Baroness Kramer on 18 June 2014, Lords Hansard, column 899, what her policy is on transferring the Public Estate Forest Land at Cinderford North Quarter site in the National Heritage Forest of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer given by Baroness Kramer on 18 June 2014, Lords Hansard, column 899, what her policy is on transferring the Public Estate Forest Land at Cinderford North Quarter site in the National Heritage Forest of...
I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his previous question on 10 March 2015, PQ UIN 226483.
On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, I echo the Prime Minister’s congratulations to Mr Natzler. I welcome the Prime Minister’s remarks on Tunisia and Libya, where we must all still hope that the promise of the Arab awakening will be fulfilled and sympathise about the fact that uniting the Tory...
On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, I echo the Prime Minister’s congratulations to Mr Natzler. I welcome the Prime Minister’s remarks on Tunisia and Libya, where we must all still hope that the promise of the Arab awakening will be fulfilled and sympathise about the fact that uniting the Tory...
It is always interesting to follow the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr Campbell). I am glad that he is such a supporter of the triple lock on pensions. He must remember, of course, that it was the Liberal Democrats and not the Labour party that introduced the triple lock...
It is always interesting to follow the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr Campbell). I am glad that he is such a supporter of the triple lock on pensions. He must remember, of course, that it was the Liberal Democrats and not the Labour party that introduced the triple lock...
The Government’s successful International Citizen Service led by Voluntary Service Overseas also promotes good public health and good business practice, including better working conditions, but an unintended consequence of the new universal credit rules may be inhibiting young claimants from volunteering for ICS. I know that the Secretary of State has been supportive of VSO, but will DFID Ministers raise this matter with the Department for Work and Pensions to prevent this unintended consequence on an excellent Government programme?
The Government’s successful International Citizen Service led by Voluntary Service Overseas also promotes good public health and good business practice, including better working conditions, but an unintended consequence of the new universal credit rules may be inhibiting young claimants from volunteering for ICS. I know that the Secretary of State has been supportive of VSO, but will DFID Ministers raise this matter with the Department for Work and Pensions to prevent this unintended consequence on an excellent Government programme?
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is alive to that problem, and we are working across Government to deal with it.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what reasons there are for the time taken to give serving police officers information about the New Police Pensions Scheme for which the regulations were laid before Parliament on 5 March 2015 and will take effect on 1 April 2015.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what reasons there are for the time taken to give serving police officers information about the New Police Pensions Scheme for which the regulations were laid before Parliament on 5 March 2015 and will take effect on 1 April 2015.
Information about the main elements of the reform has been in the public domain for some time. This includes: the Reform Design Framework which was published
on the Home Office website on 3 September 2012; an online calculator which allows officers to determine what benefits they might receive under the new
arrangements, published on 3 September 2012; and further detailed questions and answers which were published on 19 November 2013.
The Police Pensions Regulations 2015 were laid after extensive consultation with partners including police officers’ representatives. Members’ guidance was published on Friday 6 March, available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-police-pensions-scheme-2015-members-guide.
This provides police officers with all the information they need to seek the necessary independent financial advice on the scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that police officers have sufficient time to consult financial advisers about the effects of the New Police Pensions Scheme before that scheme takes effect on 1 April.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that police officers have sufficient time to consult financial advisers about the effects of the New Police Pensions Scheme before that scheme takes effect on 1 April.
Information about the main elements of the reform has been in the public domain for some time. This includes: the Reform Design Framework which was published
on the Home Office website on 3 September 2012; an online calculator which allows officers to determine what benefits they might receive under the new
arrangements, published on 3 September 2012; and further detailed questions and answers which were published on 19 November 2013.
The Police Pensions Regulations 2015 were laid after extensive consultation with partners including police officers’ representatives. Members’ guidance was published on Friday 6 March, available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-police-pensions-scheme-2015-members-guide.
This provides police officers with all the information they need to seek the necessary independent financial advice on the scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has raised with the Colombian government the further threats to the life of Irreal Aguilar Solano; and what steps the Colombian government has informed the Government it is taking.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has raised with the Colombian government the further threats to the life of Irreal Aguilar Solano; and what steps the Colombian government has informed the Government it is taking.
Our Ambassador in Bogota raised the case of Irrael Aguilar Solano on 3 February 2015 during a meeting with the Presidential High Adviser for Human Rights, Guillermo Rivera. Mr Rivera informed the Ambassador that they will engage with the Colombian Authorities to ensure that full protection measures are afforded.
More than 1300 Human Rights Defenders have received protection measures from the Colombian Government, 300 of them at the highest level. The Presidential High Adviser for Human Rights also informed our Ambassador that as a result of the improvement in protection measures, deaths of Human Rights Defenders are decreasing.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Written Statement of 18 December 2014, HCWS 161, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of new responsibilities on local authorities relating to sustainable drainage systems.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Written Statement of 18 December 2014, HCWS 161, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of new responsibilities on local authorities relating to sustainable drainage systems.
I have been asked to reply.
Defra has been determining the appropriate level of funding for the new burden incurred by Lead Local Flood Authorities in providing technical advice on surface water drainage in planning applications for major developments. We will be sending letters to these local authorities shortly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Written Statement of 18 December 2014, HCWS 161, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on levels of fees relating to their responsibilities for sustainable drainage systems.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Written Statement of 18 December 2014, HCWS 161, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on levels of fees relating to their responsibilities for sustainable drainage systems.
Planning applications which include proposals for sustainable drainage systems are subject to normal planning application fees. Guidance on fees for planning applications is published within the on-line planning guidance.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in the government of the Republic of Cyprus on that country joining the Sovereign Base Area Administration in adopting the new Strategic Action Plan against illegal bird trapping.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in the government of the Republic of Cyprus on that country joining the Sovereign Base Area Administration in adopting the new Strategic Action Plan against illegal bird trapping.
I discussed concerns around illegal bird trapping with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus when we met on 12 March.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what area of acacia trees has been removed from the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in 2015 to date.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what area of acacia trees has been removed from the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in 2015 to date.
No acacia trees have been removed from the range at CapePyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area (SBA) in 2015. The SBA Administration is currently evaluating options to remove acacia this year, which needs to take account of what funds can be provided for this purpose and the impact on military training. The SBA Administration will announce shortly that, subject to consultation, CapePyla will be designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) site. If the SAC designation is confirmed, the site will require management of the invasive species of acacia. Therefore, the decision to remove some of the acacia trees in 2014 and further proposed efforts to do so in 2015 is entirely consistent with the proposed designation of the site.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many clearance operations there were to remove equipment used in the illegal killing of birds from the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in (a) September and (b) October of each of the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many clearance operations there were to remove equipment used in the illegal killing of birds from the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in (a) September and (b) October of each of the last five years.
The information requested is provided in the following table.
September | October | |||||||
Number of Anti Mist netting | Number of seized | Number of seized | Number of | Number of Anti Mist netting | Number of seized | Number of seized | Number of | |
2010-11 | 30 (6) | 112 | 37 | 15 | 61 (7) | 173 | 115 | 16 |
2011-12 | 52 (5) | 159 | 193 | 10 | 32 (5) | 161 | 97 | 10 |
2012-13 | 45 (4) | 125 | 288 | 12 | 57 (5) | 131 | 26 | 9 |
2013-14 | 32 (5) | 116 | 468 | 18 | 29 (6) | 99 | 48 | 3 |
2014-15 | 48 (4) | 91 | 114 | 11 | 43 (8) | 81 | 142 | 18 |
[1] Large scale clearance operations, possibly involving resources outside of the normal Sovereign Base Area (SBA) Police assets
[2] Large scale clearance operations, possibly involving resources outside of the normal SBA Police assets
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days of staff absence there were in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area Police Anti-Poaching Unit in (a) September and (b) October 2014.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days of staff absence there were in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area Police Anti-Poaching Unit in (a) September and (b) October 2014.
The Dhekelia Sovereign Base Police Anti-Poaching team consists of five full-time officers who work approximately 20 days each per month on countering bird trapping operations. In September and October 2014 there were a total of 32 days of staff absences, comprising annual leave and public holidays. In addition to the 168 days of man hours provided by the Anti-Poaching team in these months, they were assisted by other Sovereign Base Area Police officers who are regularly tasked with duties directly associated with countering bird trapping.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the area of land in Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area that has been planted with acacia trees in the last 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the area of land in Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area that has been planted with acacia trees in the last 10 years.
Acacia trees occupy approximately 59.42 hectares of the 550 hectare range at CapePyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area. The Ministry of Defence is unable to estimate what areas have been planted in the last 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what area of acacia trees was removed from Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in 2014; and what the cost was of such action.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what area of acacia trees was removed from Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in 2014; and what the cost was of such action.
My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) spoke to the Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on 6 March 2015 and informed him that approximately 7.02 hectares of acacia trees were removed from within the firing zone of the range at Cape Pyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area between November and December 2014. The work to remove the trees and associated illegal irrigation cost approximately €130,000.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether there are any plans in place for the Public Forest Estate land at the Cinderford Northern Quarter site in the National Heritage Forest of Dean will to be transferred to any other party for development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether there are any plans in place for the Public Forest Estate land at the Cinderford Northern Quarter site in the National Heritage Forest of Dean will to be transferred to any other party for development.
The Government stands by its commitment, set out in the 2013 Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement and on subsequent occasions, that the public forest estate will remain in public hands. However, while this commitment is intended to secure the future of the public forest estate as a whole, in line with the recommendations of the Independent Panel on Forestry, it was never intended to preclude all land transactions on the estate.
The Government is aware of the decision of the Forest of Dean District Council planning committee on the matter and the continuing work in hand. A final decision on the proposed land exchange involving land on the public forest estate and land owned by the Council will be taken later in the year in the light of all the information then available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of songbirds killed illegally on the Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas in the autumn migration periods in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of songbirds killed illegally on the Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas in the autumn migration periods in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) is not able to accurately asses the number of songbirds killed illegally in the autumn migration periods.
Birdlife Cyprus undertakes assessments of bird trapping across the whole of Cyprus. The SBAA does not have confidence with unverified assessments over bird losses which are based on arbitrary data collected from a very short period.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) met with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Chief Executive on 6 March 2015 and informed him that the SBAA and Birdlife have agreed to work together on data collection methods to be used in analysis of the 2015 autumn season.
He also explained to him that during the autumn 2014 migration season, approximately ten percent of acacia trees in the range at CapePyla in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area were cut down. This equates to approximately 17 acres of land.
The RSPB is aware that the Sovereign Base Areas Administration is now reviewing options to remove more acacia in 2015 at Cape Pyla, and the area is proposed as one of the sites for designation as a Special Area of Conservation this year. This is subject to consultation and, if designation is endorsed, this site and others will require a long term management plan to reduce acacia further.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has made to remove the avenues of acacia trees which have been planted on his Department's land.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has made to remove the avenues of acacia trees which have been planted on his Department's land.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) is not able to accurately asses the number of songbirds killed illegally in the autumn migration periods.
Birdlife Cyprus undertakes assessments of bird trapping across the whole of Cyprus. The SBAA does not have confidence with unverified assessments over bird losses which are based on arbitrary data collected from a very short period.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) met with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Chief Executive on 6 March 2015 and informed him that the SBAA and Birdlife have agreed to work together on data collection methods to be used in analysis of the 2015 autumn season.
He also explained to him that during the autumn 2014 migration season, approximately ten percent of acacia trees in the range at CapePyla in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area were cut down. This equates to approximately 17 acres of land.
The RSPB is aware that the Sovereign Base Areas Administration is now reviewing options to remove more acacia in 2015 at Cape Pyla, and the area is proposed as one of the sites for designation as a Special Area of Conservation this year. This is subject to consultation and, if designation is endorsed, this site and others will require a long term management plan to reduce acacia further.