Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his expected timetable is for the announcement of the successful bids for Green Freeports in Scotland.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
The UK Government hopes to announce the outcome of the competition jointly with the Scottish Government shortly.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if will make an estimate of the number of (a) Royal Navy and (b) Babcock plc staff who have been assigned to the work to repair HMS Prince of Wales as of 15 November 2022.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Six Royal Navy staff have been specifically assigned to investigate the cause of, and manage work to rectify, the defect in HMS Prince of Wales. Further Royal Navy staff are working to rectify the defect as part of their wider duties, but the numbers of these staff cannot be ascertained in the time available. It is not for the Ministry of Defence to comment on the resourcing of external contractors.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had Babcock plc on (a) the costs of the repair programme for HMS Prince of Wales and (b) agreement of an upper cost budget limit.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7 November 2022 to Question 74554.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost has been of moving HMS Prince of Wales to Rosyth for repair.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
HMS PRINCE OF WALES was assisted by the escort tug Njord Viking on her journey to Rosyth at a cost of £246,000. There were no other additional costs involved in the move.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the crew compliment of HMS Prince of Wales have been assigned to other vessels or duties during that ship’s current repair programme.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
When fully crewed, HMS PRINCE OF WALES has 797 personnel. While repairs are undertaken, she has retained her fully trained crew in order to maintain the many systems onboard and to quickly deploy once repairs are complete.
Of that crew, 165 Service personnel are currently supporting Military Aid to Civil Authorities and a small number have been or are being provided on a short-term loan to other Platforms.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many crew are on board HMS Prince of Wales.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
When fully crewed, HMS PRINCE OF WALES has 797 personnel. While repairs are undertaken, she has retained her fully trained crew in order to maintain the many systems onboard and to quickly deploy once repairs are complete.
Of that crew, 165 Service personnel are currently supporting Military Aid to Civil Authorities and a small number have been or are being provided on a short-term loan to other Platforms.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to letters from the Hon member for Dunfermline and West Fife related to a constituent held in jail in Iraq.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The letter of 14 October was transferred from the Prime Minister's Office on 20 October. A response was issued on 14 November. A response will be issued to the correspondence of 7 November within 20 working days as per the Cabinet Office guidelines. Officials have been in touch with Mr Chapman and his office.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of the events industry on the potential merits of establishing a strategic approach to winning more international events.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Events showcase the UK's industrial strengths to the world while also attracting international visitors to all corners of the UK. The Government is working closely with the Department for International Trade and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to improve the UK’s already strong offer so that we can attract more high profile events and champion UK sectors on the global stage.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support (a) venues in the events industry and (b) small business who contribute to the events industry supply chain.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government has taken action to support UK SMEs in the events sector, including support with business rates; increasing the employment allowance; and exempting small and micro businesses from regulations where possible. The Government has also acted to reverse the National Insurance rise, which will save small businesses £4,200 on average and brought in the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which will protect small businesses from high energy bills over the winter.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of abolishing Ofgem.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The law requires Ofgem, as the expert independent regulator to enforce Supply Licence Conditions and ensure consumers are treated fairly. The Prime Minister announced a review of energy regulation on 8 September and more details will be published shortly.