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2009-10
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From the answers earlier on renewables, it seems that the Government do not share the pessimism of a number of independent commentators who have said that not enough has been done by way of technology, and particularly by way of developing skills, to achieve the 2020 target. Will the Minister say by how much he estimates we will miss the 2020 target?
From the answers earlier on renewables, it seems that the Government do not share the pessimism of a number of independent commentators who have said that not enough has been done by way of technology, and particularly by way of developing skills, to achieve the 2020 target. Will the Minister say by how much he estimates we will miss the 2020 target?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 April 2010
I certainly will not, because we will not miss the target for 2020. The hon. Gentleman should watch and learn as all the new renewable capacity, including the immense amounts of offshore wind generation that are already planned in this country, takes effect. On skills, I had the great pleasure last week of launching, on behalf of the Government, a consultation on the subject of skills for a low carbon economy, with the opportunity there to transform the economy of this country and create millions of new jobs in a clean, green and prosperous UK.
Subjects
Renewable energy
Date
8 April 2010
Reference
508 c1174
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What his most recent estimate is of the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources.
What his most recent estimate is of the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
David Kidney
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2010
For answer on
8 April 2010
Answered on
8 April 2010
Provisional 2009 data on electricity generation were published in the March 2010 edition of Energy Trends. This showed that, after excluding an estimate for non-bio degradable waste use, 6.6 per cent. of electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2009. In 1997, the equivalent figure was 2 per cent.
Subjects
Renewable energy
Date
8 April 2010
Reference
508 c1173; 325619
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on measures to promote employment in Scotland.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on measures to promote employment in Scotland.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jim Murphy
(Labour)
Answering body
Scotland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 March 2010
For answer on
7 April 2010
Answered on
7 April 2010
I have regular discussions on employment in Scotland including about the Future Jobs Fund in Scotland.
Subjects
Employment; Scotland
Date
7 April 2010
Reference
508 c1396W; 325097
House
House of Commons
At a recent surgery I held at RAF Benson there was a stream of criticisms of the MOD and MODern Housing Solutions, ranging from a family with a small child being left without hot water, serious gas leaks to walls running with mould. Given that in a written answer to me on 25 March the Minister admitted that there is not even a breakdown of complaints by location to better manage such problems, is this not symptomatic of the shameful disdain with which the Government treat the issue of service housing?
At a recent surgery I held at RAF Benson there was a stream of criticisms of the MOD and MODern Housing Solutions, ranging from a family with a small child being left without hot water, serious gas leaks to walls running with mould. Given that in a written answer to me on 25 March the Minister admitted that there is not even a breakdown of complaints by location to better manage such problems, is this not symptomatic of the shameful disdain with which the Government treat the issue of service housing?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
29 March 2010
I am sorry, but I am not going to take any lessons from the Conservatives about investment in armed forces housing. At RAF Benson, 99 per cent. of the accommodation is either in grade 1 or grade 2 standard condition, which means that it either exceeds or meets the Government's decent homes standard. In respect of MHS, I have put in place people who act as equivalents to estate managers, who do a very good job of dealing with individual problems. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular problem relating to the work of Defence Estates at Benson, or that of MHS, he should get in touch with me.
Subjects
Armed forces
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c496-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent progress has been made by his Department on improving the welfare of service personnel.
What recent progress has been made by his Department on improving the welfare of service personnel.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 March 2010
For answer on
29 March 2010
Answered on
29 March 2010
The Ministry of Defence has robust welfare provision that is kept under continual review to ensure that it remains fit for purpose. We have a responsibility to our service personnel, their families and veterans, and we take it very seriously. Recent improvements include the provision of extra facilities in Afghanistan to help service personnel keep in touch with their families, the creation of the Army recovery capability, and the review of the armed forces compensation scheme. We also published the service Command Paper on the nation's commitment to the armed forces, their families and veterans.
Subjects
Armed forces
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c496; 324452
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
(3) what assessment has been made of the performance of MODern Housing Solutions in relation to its work at RAF Benson in the last 12 months.
(3) what assessment has been made of the performance of MODern Housing Solutions in relation to its work at RAF Benson in the last 12 months.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 March 2010
For answer on
25 March 2010
Answered on
25 March 2010
Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) undertake a wide variety of repair and maintenance work on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Key performance indicators relate to agreed contractual timescales for repairs. MHS are required to attend all emergency repairs within three hours and to make safe within 24 hours, to attend all urgent repairs within five working days and all routine repairs within 20 working days.MHS regularly publish details of their performance against these and other targets on their website under 'Progress Info for Occupants':"www.modernhousingsolutions.com"In addition, MOD staff in Defence Estate, MHS and Station representatives meet at RAF Benson on a regular basis to review overall performance and any issues or areas, concerns or problems with specific locations would be discussed at that time.While MHS record all complaints received, a breakdown by location cannot be readily identified from the overall data.
Subjects
Armed forces; Housing
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c413W; 324185
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints have been received by MODern Housing Solutions in respect of its work at RAF Benson in each of the last 24 months;
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints have been received by MODern Housing Solutions in respect of its work at RAF Benson in each of the last 24 months;
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 March 2010
For answer on
25 March 2010
Answered on
25 March 2010
Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) undertake a wide variety of repair and maintenance work on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Key performance indicators relate to agreed contractual timescales for repairs. MHS are required to attend all emergency repairs within three hours and to make safe within 24 hours, to attend all urgent repairs within five working days and all routine repairs within 20 working days.MHS regularly publish details of their performance against these and other targets on their website under 'Progress Info for Occupants':"www.modernhousingsolutions.com"In addition, MOD staff in Defence Estate, MHS and Station representatives meet at RAF Benson on a regular basis to review overall performance and any issues or areas, concerns or problems with specific locations would be discussed at that time.While MHS record all complaints received, a breakdown by location cannot be readily identified from the overall data.
Subjects
Armed forces; Housing
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c413W; 324179
House
House of Commons
(2) what performance indicators have been set for MODern Housing Solutions in respect of its work on defence properties; and what assessment his Department has made of its performance against these targets in the last 12 months;
(2) what performance indicators have been set for MODern Housing Solutions in respect of its work on defence properties; and what assessment his Department has made of its performance against these targets in the last 12 months;
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 March 2010
For answer on
25 March 2010
Answered on
25 March 2010
Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) undertake a wide variety of repair and maintenance work on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Key performance indicators relate to agreed contractual timescales for repairs. MHS are required to attend all emergency repairs within three hours and to make safe within 24 hours, to attend all urgent repairs within five working days and all routine repairs within 20 working days.MHS regularly publish details of their performance against these and other targets on their website under 'Progress Info for Occupants':"www.modernhousingsolutions.com"In addition, MOD staff in Defence Estate, MHS and Station representatives meet at RAF Benson on a regular basis to review overall performance and any issues or areas, concerns or problems with specific locations would be discussed at that time.While MHS record all complaints received, a breakdown by location cannot be readily identified from the overall data.
Subjects
Armed forces; Housing
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c413W; 324184
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what correspondence his Department has had with Reading borough council on its bid for funds from the Transport Innovation Fund in each month of 2010.
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what correspondence his Department has had with Reading borough council on its bid for funds from the Transport Innovation Fund in each month of 2010.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Khan of Tooting
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Transport
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 March 2010
For answer on
24 March 2010
Answered on
24 March 2010
The Department for Transport exchanged correspondence with Reading borough council in January 2010 about economic appraisal issues relating to their proposal for a Low Emission Zone, which formed part of the council's bid to the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) submitted at the end of January 2010.The Department also received in January 2010 a request from the council for additional pump-priming funding for work on modelling and the economic and environmental appraisal of options relating to development of their TIF proposals. The Department replied in February 2010 confirming the award of funding for this work.The Department wrote to Reading borough council about their TIF bid in March 2010 following the announcement that a new Urban Challenge Fund will replace TIF. A copy of the letter sent to the council is available on the Department's website under the heading 'Transport Innovation Fund' at:"www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2010."
Subjects
Transport; Reading (Berkshire)
Date
24 March 2010
Reference
508 c321W; 324024
House
House of Commons
The English language industry is worth £1.5 billion a year to the UK economy, which is money we cannot afford to lose. Will the Minister visit with me the many genuine English language schools in my constituency to see the effects that the changes are having on those businesses, many of which are small and family-run?
The English language industry is worth £1.5 billion a year to the UK economy, which is money we cannot afford to lose. Will the Minister visit with me the many genuine English language schools in my constituency to see the effects that the changes are having on those businesses, many of which are small and family-run?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Home Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 March 2010
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his interest. I know he shares my desire to protect the robustness of the immigration system and at the same time enhance the reputation of genuine providers. I do not believe that the changes that we have made to achieve the former are damaging the latter. We continuously review the system—that is part of the strength of tier 4 and the points-based system overall—and although it probably too early to tell, I have yet to see evidence of a detrimental effect. We have to protect the genuine student, who has sometimes been exploited by unscrupulous colleges.
Subjects
Entry clearances; Overseas students
Date
22 March 2010
Reference
508 c15
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What assessment he has made of the effects of tier 4 student visa changes on language schools following the review of November 2009 and the further measures announced in February 2010.
What assessment he has made of the effects of tier 4 student visa changes on language schools following the review of November 2009 and the further measures announced in February 2010.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Phil Woolas
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 March 2010
For answer on
22 March 2010
Answered on
22 March 2010
The changes came into force on 3 March, and we continually monitor tier 4 to ensure its effectiveness. Our policy is designed to protect the integrity of our immigration system and the reputation of the UK's education providers.
Subjects
Entry clearances; Overseas students
Date
22 March 2010
Reference
508 c14; 322957
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What plans he has for the procurement of new rolling stock in the next five years; and if he will make a statement.
What plans he has for the procurement of new rolling stock in the next five years; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Chris Mole
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Transport
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 March 2010
For answer on
18 March 2010
Answered on
18 March 2010
The Department for Transport's plans focus on the steps that need to be taken to deliver additional capacity specified in the high-level output specification for the period 2009 to 2014 and the requirements to achieve its longer-term aspirations.
Subjects
Procurement; Rolling stock
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
507 c954; 322750
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Association of Train Operating Companies has complained about the level of micro-management and of overregulation by the Department for Transport in relation to the rolling stock. How is the Minister taking those complaints into account? Will we see some scaling back of the Government's role, for which we have long argued?
The Association of Train Operating Companies has complained about the level of micro-management and of overregulation by the Department for Transport in relation to the rolling stock. How is the Minister taking those complaints into account? Will we see some scaling back of the Government's role, for which we have long argued?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Transport
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 March 2010
It is the Department's responsibility to ensure that we get rolling stock that is usable on the long-term network. We develop proposals for additional rolling stock in full consultation with the train operating companies, which have, in the first instance, the immediate use for it.
Subjects
Procurement; Rolling stock
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
507 c954
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
When one analyses the unemployment figures, one finds that 100 people a day were made unemployed in Wales in the three months to January of this year. Is the Minister not ashamed of that and of the lack of drive on fixing the Welsh economy?
When one analyses the unemployment figures, one finds that 100 people a day were made unemployed in Wales in the three months to January of this year. Is the Minister not ashamed of that and of the lack of drive on fixing the Welsh economy?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Wales Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
17 March 2010
Employment figures in Wales are higher than they have been for a long time and compare very favourably with the situation in Wales under the previous Conservative Government. The hon. Gentleman asked specifically about economic inactivity, which has fallen by 0.5 per cent. in Wales. That is enormously significant. I remember what happened to economic inactivity when the Conservatives were last in power: all the pits were closed, and a generation of the work force was thrown on to the dole and forgotten about. That will never happen again, under us.
Subjects
Wales; Unemployment
Date
17 March 2010
Reference
507 c868
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the level of economic inactivity in Wales.
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the level of economic inactivity in Wales.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Wayne David
(Labour)
Answering body
Wales Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 March 2010
For answer on
17 March 2010
Answered on
17 March 2010
The latest labour market statistics show the economic inactivity level in Wales falling by 9,000 in the last quarter. This is the largest fall in the United Kingdom.
Subjects
Wales; Unemployment
Date
17 March 2010
Reference
507 c868; 321816
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have made submissions to his Department for funding under the Bellwin scheme as a result of the recent severe weather conditions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have made submissions to his Department for funding under the Bellwin scheme as a result of the recent severe weather conditions.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Barbara Follett
(Labour)
Answering body
Communities and Local Government
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 March 2010
For answer on
15 March 2010
Answered on
16 March 2010
[holding answer 15 March 2010]: The following local authorities have registered an intention to apply for Bellwin assistance as a result of the bad weather in December 2009 and January 2010:"City of York council""Herefordshire council""North Yorkshire county council""Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead""West Berkshire council."
Subjects
Finance; Flood control
Date
16 March 2010
Reference
507 c819-20W; 322304
House
House of Commons
I thank the Solicitor-General for that answer, but when Jessica de Grazia looked at the SFO and produced her report back in June 2008, she identified a number of serious failings and deficiencies. What steps has the Solicitor-General taken to deal with those failings and deficiencies?
I thank the Solicitor-General for that answer, but when Jessica de Grazia looked at the SFO and produced her report back in June 2008, she identified a number of serious failings and deficiencies. What steps has the Solicitor-General taken to deal with those failings and deficiencies?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Solicitor General
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 March 2010
There was, of course, a whole transformation programme flowing from the de Grazia report, and there was a new director in the form of Richard Alderman and a good deal of change in the higher management echelons of the SFO. The progress made was independently evaluated by the Cabinet Office capability review team in December 2009, and it regarded the SFO as having made very significant strides and improvements since that transformation programme came into play.
Subjects
Serious Fraud Office; Fraud
Date
11 March 2010
Reference
507 c417
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office in deterring and prosecuting economic crime.
What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office in deterring and prosecuting economic crime.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Vera Baird
(Labour)
Answering body
Solicitor General
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 March 2010
For answer on
11 March 2010
Answered on
11 March 2010
I am reasonably pleased with the significant progress that the SFO has made over the past two years. It has reduced the time taken to deal with referrals from the public to 20 working days on average, and reduced the time by an average of nine months to investigate and prosecute crime. It has a 91 per cent. conviction rate, achieved its first ever serious crime prevention order this year, and recovered assets valued at more than £8 million—progress in the right direction.
Subjects
Fraud
Date
11 March 2010
Reference
507 c416-7; 321515
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for her response but, on the basis of her own figures, the changes to the exemption in music licences for charities and voluntary groups will cost them £20 million a year. Does she not think it hypocritical that Ministers can write in letters to my constituents that they have developed an environment that encourages charities to thrive when they are saddling them with a cost of £20 million a year?
I thank the Minister for her response but, on the basis of her own figures, the changes to the exemption in music licences for charities and voluntary groups will cost them £20 million a year. Does she not think it hypocritical that Ministers can write in letters to my constituents that they have developed an environment that encourages charities to thrive when they are saddling them with a cost of £20 million a year?
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Cabinet Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 March 2010
No, I do not. The hon. Gentleman has to understand that removing the exemption was not a whim of Government but a legal imperative. I think that we are the last country in Europe to remove it, but the important thing is that we proceed with agreement. Clearly, the Government do not want to put any additional burdens, including costs, on charities. It is very important that charities and the organisations that could be affected discuss the matter, and that is why I am very pleased to be able to facilitate those discussions between the two sides.
Subjects
Licensing laws; Music; Civil society
Date
10 March 2010
Reference
507 c279
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What representations the Office of the Third Sector has received on the effects on charities and the voluntary sector of new music licensing levies.
What representations the Office of the Third Sector has received on the effects on charities and the voluntary sector of new music licensing levies.
Asked by
John Howell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Smith of Basildon
(Labour)
Answering body
Cabinet Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 March 2010
For answer on
10 March 2010
Answered on
10 March 2010
I have had a number of meetings with third sector representatives to hear their concerns. I have also met representatives from Phonographic Performance Ltd and the Performing Rights Society for Music. These meetings are helping to facilitate negotiations, and subsequent agreement between the two sides, about detailed arrangements for music licensing, prior to implementation.
Subjects
Licensing laws; Music; Civil society
Date
10 March 2010
Reference
507 c279; 321234
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons