Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the review by Seafish entitled Review of the application of the Official Control Regulations for shellfish, published June 2021, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of that review's findings; and what progress has been made by the Food Standards Agency on implementing the Review's recommendations.
Answered by Neil O'Brien
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has assessed the recommendations set out in the Seafish Review and in collaboration with shellfish stakeholders has prioritised those considered workable within the existing legal framework. Proposals which require legislative change are not considered feasible at the present time. To date, the FSA has introduced two new criteria for handling high results, updated protocols to confirm that appropriately validated alternative test methods can be used for official control purposes and communicated that local authorities can delegate official control sampling to third parties.
The FSA is also working on further revisions to its approaches, including reviewing the timeframe for resampling and reopening production areas after high results. This work is complex and takes time. It is imperative that any changes introduced ensure continued food safety and maintain the confidence of consumers and trading partners.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has received from High Commissioners from (a) Namibia, (b) South Africa, (c) Tanzania, (d) Acting High Commissioner Zambia, and (e) Ambassador of Zimbabwe on the UK Hunting Trophies (import prohibition) Bill; and if he will place a copy of his responses in the Library.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Trudy Harrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as HMG lead on the Hunting Trophies bill, has offered to meet with High Commissioners from Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Acting High Commissioner Zambia and the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to discuss the UK Hunting Trophies (import prohibition) Bill. FCDO Africa Directorate is actively engaged and will be present at this meeting.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what response she has provided to the letter dated 22 February 2023 from Dr Dilys Roe, Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group, on the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill; and if she will place a copy of that response in the Library.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
A reply to the letter in question is being prepared and will be issued shortly.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Natural England and (b) the Duchy of Cornwall on the aquaculture sector in England.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra officials are in regular contact with Natural England about a wide range of policy matters including the aquaculture sector in England. There have been no recent discussions with the Duchy of Cornwall on this issue.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number of homeowners who have been issued Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers for biomass-related heating technology who will not be able to complete work as a result of amendments to Ofgem's approved product eligibility list.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Ofgem have made us aware that there are 4 live applications affected by changes to the product eligibility list. The Government is working closely with Ofgem to ensure a fair and proportionate decision is made regarding these cases.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effectiveness of the rural mobility fund pilot projects on provision of bus services.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The majority of the demand responsive transport pilots involved in the Government’s £20 million Rural Mobility Fund have now launched. A monitoring and evaluation process is in place. We expect to publish interim findings in the first half of 2023, further findings in late 2023/early 2024, and the final findings in 2025 in the form of written reports. However, the exact timings and dissemination approach will be determined closer to the time.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
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 make an estimate of the proportion of common land that is not used for (a) commoners' rights and (b) public access.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
An estimation of common land that is not used for commoners’ rights is not available.
Approximately 370,000 hectares of land has been mapped as Registered Common Land, in accordance with Section 4 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the majority of which is publicly accessible. Approximately 3,700 hectares (1%) is considered to be excepted land for defence or security reasons. Data on other common land including any local byelaws or regulations that may restrict public access is not readily available.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is planning to taking to steps to help ensure that those households switching from a prepayment meter to a credit meter do not incur (a) an associated financial charge or (b) a period without energy.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Consumers will not have to pay to have an old-style credit meter or a smart meter installed. Before a supplier installs an old-style credit meter or turns off a customer’s smart meter's prepayment setting, the customer might have to have a credit check or pay a deposit. A supplier usually will not replace a customer’s meter or change the smart meter setting if the customer is in debt to them.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funding his Department plans to provide to the Global Mine Action Programme.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The Department is in the process of deciding the distribution of Official Development Assistrance (ODA) allocations over the remainder of our Spending Review period. This will be focussed according to the priorities set out in the International Development Strategy. We are committed to transparency with the public and predictability with our partners, and will update on planned ODA allocations, including for the Global Mine Action Programme, in due course.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that elderly people living in park homes who do not have internet access are able to access the £400 energy bills discount.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government will ensure that households without internet access can apply for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding over the phone.