Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what discussions the Commission has had with (a) trade unions and (b) hon. Members to facilitate a full return to Parliament during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Pete Wishart
The House authorities on behalf of the House of Commons Commission have met with representatives of the Trades Unions for staff in the House of Commons and PDS formally at least three times per week since the beginning of March, and with representatives of the Members’ and Peers’ Staff Association (MAPSA) and Unite as representatives of Members’ staff.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation has affected the right of recognised unions in her Department to bargaining information in relation to section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The introduction of General Data Protection Regulation has not affected the right of recognised Trade Unions to bargaining information in accordance with section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether her Department is compliant with the requirement in section 3.1.8 of the Civil Service Management Code that time off with pay for safety representatives will not be set against facility time allowed under existing arrangements.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is compliant with section 3.1.8 of the Civil Service Management Code - that Health and Safety representatives are entitled to reasonable paid time off to undertake relevant training. Time off for non-industrial staff is not set against the facility time allowed under existing arrangements unless the period of time also discharges a liability under Section 168 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the additional staff required by his Department in the event that the UK leaves the EU (a) with and (b) without a deal.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
In the financial year 2018/19, BEIS was allocated £185.1m of EU Exit funding. Of this total allocation £57.3m has been budgeted for staff within BEIS. These roles have now been filled and, complemented by existing staff within BEIS, will be working across all areas related to EU Exit, including deal and no deal scenarios. As negotiations continue, BEIS will continue to reassess its requirements with detailed planning for 19/20 continuing.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many staff were employed in his Department on (a) 20 December 2018 and (b) 23 June 2016.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
At the end of November 2018 there were 3,955 people working in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (full time equivalent), figures are not reported at the mid-month point.
At the end of June 2016 this figure was 3,702, however the Machinery of Government change process was not fully concluded until March 2017.
Figures include staff on payroll and contingent workers but excludes staff not on payroll, fast streamers or any staff not paid for by BEIS.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish Department's review of trade unions using electronic balloting in future industrial action ballots; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
In line with requirements under the Trade Union Act 2016, the Department will arrange a roundtable to consult the relevant organisations and professionals on Sir Ken Knight’s report on his review of electronic balloting for industrial action. Invitees will be drawn from interested groups, including the trade unions. Following that consultation, we will respond to Sir Ken’s report.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of staff employed by his Department who are in receipt of universal credit; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not hold information on the number of staff employed by the Department who are in receipt of Universal Credit.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish its legislative proposals in response to the Taylor Review into Working Practices; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
I am grateful to all those who have contributed to the Taylor Review and the consultation we published in response. The Government is carefully considering the responses to the consultations and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation entitled Land Registry: moving operations to the private sector public consultation, published in March 2016; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government will be publishing its response to the consultation HM Land Registry: Moving operations to the private sector shortly. I will send a copy to the hon. Member once it is published.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many representations has he received from civil society organisations on the proposed Wylfa nuclear plant in Wales; and how many of those representations have been sent a response.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
The Department receives regular correspondence both from individuals and civil society organisations on the issues relating to nuclear, including on the proposed Wylfa project. We ensure that all correspondence is given due consideration and responded to in a timely matter. Ministers and officials also hold regular engagement forums with various non-Governmental organisations on nuclear matters.