Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 21 January 2021 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions were held on 2021-01-21
  • Alex Davies-Jones raised concerns about landslips on former coal tips in Rhondda Cynon Taf
  • Andrew Selous inquired about the Government's plan to vote against Labour's amendment on WHO air quality standards

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Wales Environment
Context

The MP noted Storm Christoph has caused hundreds of flood warnings and landslides, particularly in the Welsh valleys. Last night's rainfall has led to another landslip on a former coal tip.

Question

Last night's rainfall has caused another landslip on a former coal tip in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The long-term management of these tips is a UK Government responsibility. Will he therefore commit to working with his colleagues in the Cabinet to publish a strategy outlining the Government's long-term plan for managing these coal tips?

Answer from George Eustice

We have been working closely with both the Secretary of State for Wales and the Welsh Government on this challenge, which we all take seriously. I know that discussions have taken place in the past with the national Coal Authority on this matter as well, and we will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government on it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to publishing a strategy was not explicitly stated

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Q2 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP highlighted that while people can visit the Lucombe oak at Kew Gardens, they cannot go to zoo areas outside.

Question

I can visit the Lucombe oak at Kew Gardens, but not the rhinos at Whipsnade. Will the Minister press for the outside areas of zoos to be made available for public visits as soon as possible?

Answer from George Eustice

We all very much hope to be able to lift the restrictions of lockdown as soon as possible. My hon. Friend will be aware that in the first lockdown, we allowed zoos to open after parks opened. Zoos are outdoors but people tend to follow the same routes so the risk is judged by Public Health England to be higher. However, I have sympathy with the issues zoos face and we want to get them open as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment for opening zoo outdoor areas was not explicitly stated

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Q3 Andrew Selous Con
Environment
Context

The MP highlighted the Labour amendment to the Environment Bill aiming at WHO air quality standards.

Question

Each year, 40,000 people die from poor air quality. Labour has tabled an amendment to put WHO air quality standards into law. Can the Secretary of State tell me why his Government plan to vote against that amendment?

Answer from George Eustice

We are working on the air quality targets that will form part of our targets under the Environment Bill. We are looking at population exposure, as well as an absolute concentration target, and we are working with experts to assess what that concentration target should be.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation for voting against the amendment was not provided

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Q4 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Climate Environment
Context

The MP expressed concerns about environmental rollbacks and the Government's voting stance on bee-killing chemicals.

Question

What message does it send about how much we can trust the Prime Minister when his Government votes down an amendment preventing bee-killing chemicals, loosening the chemicals regime, and having a weaker environmental watchdog?

Answer from George Eustice

We have not changed our regulations on neonicotinoids. In common with 10 other EU countries, we have granted an emergency authorisation, which is an integral part of the precautionary principle. We have done so for a non-flowering crop and made it clear that flowering crops cannot be grown there for at least three years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation for voting down amendment was not provided

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Q5 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP discussed a visit to Sovereign Harbour in her constituency with ambitious plans for a new quayside.

Question

Despite the challenges of covid, construction is in full swing. When the coast is clear, will he make a return visit to congratulate all those involved—and importantly, assure them that there are new opportunities ahead for the under-10 metre fleet and historical inequalities in quota will be levelled up?

Answer from George Eustice

I remember very well that visit. It is always good to see such ambitious plans come into effect and start to take shape. I would be delighted to visit her constituency again, and outline some of our plans to ensure better fishing opportunities for the inshore fleet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to visiting again was not explicitly stated

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Q6 Caroline Ansell Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP highlighted flooding issues affecting farmers with grade 2 and 3 agricultural land, vital to the local economy.

Question

Farmers have experienced considerable flooding. What extra support are the Government prepared to give farmers and the Environment Agency to protect against flooding and continue producing high-quality food?

Answer from George Eustice

Floods impact many communities, not only urban areas but also farmland. There is some weighting in the floods formula to protect farmland and we have a number of schemes to help remedy flood risks on agricultural land when flooding occurs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific extra support measures were not provided

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Q7 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP highlighted Storm Ciara and Christoph forcing the River Calder to burst, causing devastation.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend reassure people that action is being taken to prevent such destructive flooding events?

Answer from George Eustice

Late last year, we held a flood summit to discuss challenges around the River Calder in his constituency. There have been important projects including at Hebden Bridge, where construction is well under way. Further projects are in pipeline and we continue working with the Environment Agency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reassurance was not provided

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Q8 Andrew Percy Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The River Aire, which passes through Andrew Percy's constituency, receives water from the Calder. The area frequently faces flooding issues with recent flood alerts and warnings issued.

Question

All that water from the Calder finds its way into my constituency via the River Aire, leading to another nervous wait as flood alerts are issued. Will the Secretary of State comment on the adequacy of flood defence funding rules for communities repeatedly facing flooding issues?

Answer from George Eustice

My hon. Friend's constituency is in a unique area with a unique geography, and it faces frequent flooding. We will issue a consultation on changes to the flooding formula soon, placing greater weight on frequently flooded communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about current adequacy of flood defence funding rules or timeline for implementation of changes

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Q9 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A constituent of Wendy Chamberlain wants to start a lobster hatchery but is concerned about the impact on the fishing sector due to the UK's departure from the EU.

Question

I have a constituent interested in starting a lobster hatchery. Given the shock felt by the fishing sector post-Brexit, should anybody even bother entering this industry?

Answer from George Eustice

In the white fish sector and quota sector, we have secured an uplift in quota at 15% next year. We will also have full regulatory autonomy on technical conservation measures, which supports the shellfish sector better than under the EU.

Answered
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