Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the number of people that would invest in a Lifetime ISA; how many people have invested in a Lifetime ISA; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of closing the Lifetime ISA to new entrants.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Lifetime ISA was introduced in 2017 to encourage younger people to get into the habit of saving for the long term. The Tax Information and Impact Note for the Lifetime LISA estimated over 200,000 accounts would be opened in the first year. Initial reports to HMRC for the 2017/18 tax year show approximately 170,000 accounts were opened. We expect the final figure for 2017/18 to change as a result of the receipt of late or amended returns from providers. The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review. Where appropriate, future changes may be made through the annual Budget process.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the (a) cost to the public purse and (b) potential merits of the introduction of an ISA dashboard.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government notes the Association of Accounting Technicians Individual Savings Account Working Group’s proposals regarding ISAs, including the introduction of an ISA dashboard. The Chancellor of the Exchequer keeps all tax policy under review and information provided to us is considered as part of this process.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on introducing tighter measures for companies that employ drivers so that such companies are automatically informed when an employee is convicted of a motoring offence and subsequently loses their professional driving licence; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
There are no plans for the Secretary of State to hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice about measures of this kind.
The Driver and Vehicle and Licencing Agency (DVLA) does not hold or ask for details of where drivers work. In the haulage sector, some drivers are self-employed or work through agencies on short-term contracts for a variety of different companies.
All employers have a duty to check their employees’ licences regularly; the DVLA advises that this should be done at least once every three months and they can do so using the DVLA’s free licence check service.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department plans to update its website entitled Information about the Withdrawal Bill to reflect the decision of the House to pass amendment 7 to clause 9 of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government has provided a range of explanatory material to accompany the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in its passage through Parliament. We will update this material periodically to reflect any changes to the Bill as necessary.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to set before Parliament the itemised liabilities due for payment by the Government to the EU in respect of the forthcoming withdrawal agreement; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The arrangements for exiting the European Union, including any financial settlement, are currently under negotiation. The Government’s broad position was set out by the Prime Minister in her speech in Florence: we do not want our European Partners to fear they will need to pay more or receive less over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave, and the UK will honour commitments we have made during the period of our membership.
Ongoing discussions with the European Commission are focused on building a common technical understanding on every item in the financial settlement and we are making clear progress in this area.
I would direct The Honourable Gentlemen to the Treasury’s answer to his urgent Parliamentary Question on 29th November, where I confirmed the Government will update the house when there is more detail to give.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has allocated funding for the planning and construction of laboratories to inspect meat and plant products at the Dover entrance to the Channel Tunnel in the event that the UK leaves the customs union.
Answered by George Eustice
The animal and plant health conditions applicable to trade between the UK and the EU after the UK leaves the EU will be subject to negotiation. The outcome of these negotiations will influence what form of official controls will be required for trade with the EU in future, including at the UK border. Like all Government departments, Defra is working on preparations for a range of scenarios to deliver a smooth departure from the EU.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the 2013 meeting convened by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute in co-operation with the Vienna International Justice Institute and the International Coloured Gemstone Association, what steps the Government is taking to promote the establishment of a mechanism for the traceability and certification of ethical origin of coloured gemstones; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Government is supporting international efforts to promote ethical sourcing of minerals. We contributed to the development of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas. We are a founding member of the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals, which works with industry and civil society to share best practice on mineral traceability and certification schemes. We are also working to improve the livelihoods of artisanal miners in Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, whether it is her understanding that the Article 50 notice signifying the intention of the UK to leave the EU is revocable.
Answered by Theresa May
I refer the hon. member to the answers I gave, on 9 October, to him, the right hon. member for Wolverhampton South East (Mr McFadden), Official Report, column 52, the hon. member for Bishop Auckland (Mrs Goodman), Official Report, column 60, the hon. member for Hampstead and Kilburn (Mrs Siddiq), Official Report, column 62 and the right hon. member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw), Official Report, column 50.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of offering assistance to conservation organisations in Madagascar for the protection of the environment from the effect of unregulated sapphire mining; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
The Government believes that environmental protection and regulation of extractive industries are vital for sustainable development. Madagascar receives assistance through a number of global programmes. These include the Global Environment Facility, which has numerous projects in Madagascar. In addition, we are contributing to improved governance of Madagascan mining through our support to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the Sentencing Council for England and Wales plans to publish its revised guidelines on sentencing for knife possession as a result of its consultation of 6 October 2016; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Phillip Lee
Sentencing Guidelines are produced by the independent Sentencing Council for England and Wales.
A timetable for the Council’s upcoming work, including publication of definitive guidelines following consultation, can be found in an update to its Business Plan which is available on its website: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk.