Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2018 to Question 189831 on European Fighter Aircraft: Safety Measures, and with reference to Regulatory Article 1205 para 1b, on what basis the operating duty holder's tolerable and ALARP safety statement for the Typhoon aircraft is made when considering the mid-air collision risk.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The requirements of Regulatory Article (RA) 1205 para 1b are fully met as part of the Operating duty holder's Tolerable and ALARP safety statement consideration of mid-air collision risk.
The Typhoon Safety Case explicitly states what is Reasonably Practicable and Tolerable in terms of fitment of Collision Warning Systems and the other systems detailed in RA1205 for this platform. The RA states that the 'Collision Warning System' term is intentionally used to allow flexibility in identifying the optimal solution for platforms, including those currently under development.
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2018 to Question 149024, whether the planned Enhanced Collision Awareness System (ECAS) for the Typhoon aircraft is compliant with MAA/Def Stan 00-970 (Aircraft Collision Avoidance System), Part 13 sub paragraph 1.1.9.1, in particular Resolution Awareness.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Typhoon Enhanced Collision Awareness is a collision awareness system rather than a collision avoidance system, and is not required to comply with Def Stan 00-970, part 13, sub-paragraph 1.1.9.1 (Aircraft Collision Avoidance System).
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the value of Scotch whisky to UK exports in the last five years.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as a National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics.
Data on exports of Scotch Whisky into the UK in each of the last five years are available in the ‘Build Your Own Tables’ area of HMRC’s statistical website uktradeinfo.com
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the contribution of Scotch whisky to tourism.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Scottish Whisky industry is recognised the world over for its high quality.
VisitBritain(VB) work to promote the UK as a tourist destination, and have used Scotch whiskey to promote Scotland in particular. VB regularly host educational trips which include distilleries across Scotland, host several distilleries at their flagship promotional event ExploreGB and offer Whiskey tours through the VB online shop. In addition to this, VB work in partnership with Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for International Trade to create food and drink hubs across the UK which encourage visitors to try our produce and commission research into food and drink as a draw for tourists.
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support the Scotch whisky industry.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Government support of the Scotch Whisky industry is through both government policy and engagement with the industry, notably the Scotch Whisky Association.
We fully recognise the added value given to Scotch Whisky by its registration as a Geographical Indication (GI). The EU (Withdrawal) Act and legislation made under it will establish in domestic law the framework of rules that govern the EU GI scheme for spirit drinks; this will ensure that all UK GIs, including Scotch Whisky, enjoy continued protection in the UK after we leave.
Through engaging closely with the Scotch Whisky Association my officials have secured some important amendments to the proposed replacement EU Spirit Drinks Regulation and will continue to work closely with the Association on this.
The government is aware of the contribution that the Scotch Whisky industry makes to the economy and employment. Her Majesty’s Treasury are responsible for duty on alcoholic beverages and the Chancellor keeps all taxes under review at fiscal events. The government is committed to supporting the Scotch Whisky industry. The freeze in spirits duty announced in November 2017 means a bottle of Scotch is 24p cheaper than had it risen by inflation, and the average tax charged on a bottle of Scotch in 2018 is estimated to be £1.15 lower than it otherwise would have been since ending the spirits duty escalator in 2014.
In respect of international trade priorities, through the Food is GREAT campaign, we will continue profiling Scotch Whisky overseas and engaging with the industry.
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the level of investment of the Scotch whisky industry in the Scottish economy in the last five years.
Answered by David Mundell
Scotland's whisky industry plays a vital role in the Scottish economy.
Scotland is home to 128 malt and grain distilleries, making it the greatest concentration of whisky producers in the world. In 2017, the value of Scotch whisky exports reached a record £4.37 billion and accounts for 14% of all Scottish international exports.
The Moray area, which includes most of what is considered Speyside, has the highest intensity of distilling related firms, with a quarter of Scottish distilling activity based there.
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to publish the review into the Emergency Services Network.
Answered by Nick Hurd
On Friday 21 September, the Home Office announced that the review into the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) was complete and a decision has been taken to go forward and complete the new network, subject to agreement by all other sponsors of the programme.
The full announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-strategic-direction-for-the-emergency-services-network-esn
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans for the Emergency Services Network to be fully operational.
Answered by Nick Hurd
On Friday 21 September, the Home Office announced that the review into the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) was complete and a decision has been taken to go forward and complete the new network, subject to agreement by all other sponsors of the programme.
The full announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-strategic-direction-for-the-emergency-services-network-esn
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for the roll-out individual of components of the Emergency Services Network to police forces.
Answered by Nick Hurd
On Friday 21 September, the Home Office announced that the review into the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) was complete and a decision has been taken to go forward and complete the new network, subject to agreement by all other sponsors of the programme.
The full announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-strategic-direction-for-the-emergency-services-network-esn
Asked by: Douglas Ross (Conservative - Moray)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which body had responsibility for the investigation of military deaths in Scotland before the introduction of the Fatal Accident and Sudden Deaths (Scotland) Act 2016.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This is a devolved issue and is therefore the responsibility of the Scottish Government.