Questions

Amber’s Questions in Parliament    

  • On the 23rd November Amber asked the  Secretary of State for the Home Department about the costs of the operation of the  Metropolitan Police’s trafficking victim helpline.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 54W, on human trafficking, what costs were associated with the operation of the Metropolitan Police’s trafficking victim helpline in (a) October 2011 and (b) each financial year since it was created.

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  • On the 22nd November Amber asked the Minister of State (Health), if high quality patient care is stillat the the centre of importance and will continue to be so.

At a recent surprise visit to my local A and E department, at the Conquest hospital, I was delighted to find a very high quality of care. Will the Minister reassure me that any local reconfiguration puts high-quality patient care at the centre of delivery?

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  • On the 21st November Amber questioned the Minister of State (Housing and Local Government) about the whether the public will be refunded for the increase in house constructions.

I particularly welcome the release of public sector land to boost housing construction, but will the Minister assure me that the build now, pay later scheme will mean that taxpayers have an IOU ensuring that, when the houses are eventually sold, they will get the money back?

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  • On the 21st November Amber asked the Minister of State (Children and Families), Education if she agrees that primary schools working together  to use the £1.5 million from the pupil premium is a sensible idea.

Schools in my constituency are to receive a welcome £1.5 million from the pupil premium. At a meeting with representatives of the local primary school last Friday, I learnt that some primary schools will be working together to spend that money in the best possible way for their pupils. Does the Minister agree that that is a smart way of trying to get the best out of the pupil premium?

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  • On the 9th November Amber asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs upon deportation affairs on Human Rights in Kenya.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Kenya on (a) preventing the forcible return of those within its territories or at its borders into areas of insecurity and (b) ensuring punishment and prosecution of those of its agents who engage in human rights violations.

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  • On the 8th November Amber asked the Chanccelor of the Exchequer  about further information on the Growing Places Fund.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the letter from his Department of 13 October 2011, reference 2/05396/2011, in response to the letter from the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye of 19 September 2011, reference AR/EOR/00483, on the Growing Places Fund, when he expects to announce further details of the scheme.

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  • On the 7th November Amber questioned the Secretary of State for the Home Department about the number of calls recieved by the Metroplitan Police in reference to human trafficking.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls were received by (a) the Metropolitan police’s trafficking victim helpline and (b) the UK Human Trafficking Centre’s victim helpline in October 2011.

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  • On the 3rd November Amber asked the Leader of the HoCommons use of about to what use will the £20 million support to advice agencies be put to.

The Government have allocated a welcome £20 million to support advice agencies following changes to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. May I press my right hon. Friend for more information on that £20 million so that advice agencies such as mine in Hastings can find out more about when and how it will be allocated?

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  • On the 2nd November Amber asked the Secretary of State on the level of support that is being provided for advice agencies to the vulnerable.

I know that the Secretary of State is aware of my concerns regarding the advice agencies that provide such vital support to the vulnerable, and I know that additional money has been provided for those agencies. May I press him to give us more detail about this so that we can be reassured that those advice agencies, such as my own in Hastings, will be able to continue their good work?

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  • On the 31st October Amber questioned whether the Government have asessed the proportion of children previously qualified for clinical negligence aid will no longer be eligible when the changes commence

On the impact assessment, have the Government assessed how many children who would previously have qualified for clinical negligence aid will no longer qualify when the changes go through?

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  • On the 25th October Amber asked the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa and the United Nations), Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the level of aid which could be provided to the elections in South Africa

There is a dangerous disagreement in Zimbabwe among the fragile unity Government about the process and preparation for elections next year. What aid can we give to the Southern African Development Community in preparing for and supporting fair elections in that country?

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  • On the 25th October Amber asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the proportion of women taken out of tax thanks to augmentation in personal allowance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of those taken out of tax as a result of the increase in the personal allowance were women in 2011-12; and what estimate he has made of the figures for 2012-13.

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  • On the 24th October Amber asked the Minister of State Employment whether he affirms that the best method of reducing youth unemployment is to help them set up their own businesses

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the ways to reduce unemployment is to make sure that people set up new businesses? Does he agree that the new enterprise allowance, which we in Hastings and Rye welcome, should also be directed at both disadvantaged people and young people, to make sure that the widest possible number of people are able to set up in business?

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  • On the 13th  October Amber asked the Secretary of State for Health on bursaries of midwives

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student midwives were in receipt of a bursary in academic year 2010-11; what the average bursary paid to a student midwife was in that year; and what the total cost was to his Department of bursaries paid to student midwives.

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  • On the 11th October Amber asked the Deputy Prime Minister whether he agrees that it is right to encourage as many women as possible to put themselves forward as councillors

According to the Local Government Association, only 31% of local councillors are women, and in my local authority Hastings borough council—sadly Labour-run—that number is 22%. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that we as politicians must do all we can locally to ensure that as many women as possible put themselves forward as councillors so that local politicians do not also remain pale and male?

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  • On the 10th October Amber asked the Secretary of State for Health how he aims to contribute to Anti -Slavery day 2011

  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to mark Anti-Slavery day 2011.

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  •  On the 15th September Amber continuedwith the debate on Africa and in particular food price and commodity trading

The complexity of the causes of the famine has not put the House off; instead, each Member has dealt with them with in their own way, drawing on their own experience to do so. The House should be proud of the fact that Members have put in such effort, resulting in a very good debate. The most important message to emerge is the urgency of improving agricultural resilience in these countries. If we can help people to grow their own food and feed themselves, we will help them to mitigate the difficulties that cause the famine we are now witnessing.

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  • On the 7th September Amber asked the Prime Minister if he would continue to ensure that the Government provides international leadership in regard to the famine in East Africa.

At a meeting this morning with organisations working in the horn of Africa, representatives expressed their gratitude for the fact that the British public have been so generous and the Department for International Development has provided such leadership. That famine is continuing to become more severe. Will the Prime Minister ensure that the Government continue to provide international leadership to help the people in east Africa

                                                                                                                     

  • On the 18th July Amber asked the Minister of State for Employment about ensuring that the new enterprise allowance focuses on young people who may not consider themselves entrepreneurs.

I recently led a competition in Hastings to find a young entrepreneur to set up in business, and was amazed and delighted at the quality of the young applicants. Can the Minister assure me that the new enterprise allowance providers will also focus on young people who might not consider themselves to be entrepreneurs, but who often have the energy, commitment and ideas to set up in business?

                                                                                                                    

  • On the 14th July Amber asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Natural Environment and Fisheries about ensuring that the interests of Under-10 metre fisheries are emphasised during negotiations.

The Minister has spoken cautiously about the need to navigate through the different interests within the fisheries group. Does he nevertheless recognise that in the past 20 years the massive benefit of the tradeable quota has largely been with the producer organisations—the larger fisheries? Can he assure us that there will be emphasis during all negotiations on ensuring that the under-10-metre fisheries are restored to their former glory?

                                                                                                              

  • On the 13th July Amber asked Secretary of State for International Development about improving food security in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan the depreciation of the afghani has sent the price of basic staples soaring by 7% in just one week. Has my right hon. Friend had conversations with the Afghanistan Government about how to improve food security, with the winter approaching?

                                                                                                               

  • On the 5th July Amber questioned the Minister of State for Pensions over transnational agreements regarding the equalisation of and increase in pensionable age for men and women.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Opposition do not have a monopoly on proposals for transitional agreements? I know that several Government Members here have made proposals, despite comments from an hon. Member here about school prefects. I hope that he will give careful consideration to those, so that the best proposals can come forward.

                                                                                                              

  • On the 27th June Amber questioned the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities over the timing for rape crisis centres:

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing the much-needed funding for rape crisis centres. What does she expect the timing will be, because those centres are so greatly needed by this country?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  • On the 21st June Amber questioned the Secretary of State for Justice over the cuts to legal aid:

Although I acknowledge the need for cuts to legal aid, may I share with the Secretary of State my concerns about local advice agencies, which sometimes provide essential local advice to the most vulnerable? Will he work closely with his ministerial colleagues to ensure that some provision is made for such agencies to continue?

                                                                                                              

  • On the 20th June Amber asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, about the sustained financial support that deprived areas of the UK need:

Hastings recently fell to 19th from the bottom on the index of multiple deprivation. Can the Secretary of State reassure me that in the new assessment, with business rates as a right incentive for councils, areas of deprivation will still get the support they need from central Government while growth comes back?

                                                                                                                        

    • On the 24th May  Amber asked the Deputy Prime Minister about the lack of representation disabled individuals have in elected office:

I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for that answer. In Hastings we have 32 councillors and in East Sussex 49, but not one of them is registered disabled. Can he give any advice to the leaders of my councils about what can be done to encourage more disabled people to get involved in local politics?

Later in the sitting Amber asked the Minister for Armed Forces about the ongoing conflict in Libya with specific reference to the deloyment of Apache Helicopters:

If the decision is made, will the Apache helicopters be allowed to land on Libyan soil?

                                                                                                                                     

  • On the 23rd May, Amber questioned the Secretary of State for Education over the developments in the distribution of the Excellence Cluster funding by her local authority:

Schools in Hastings have been bitterly disappointed by the recent decision of the local authority, guided by the schools forum, to devolve £1.4 million of excellence cluster funding that had been intended for the most deprived schools. It is now to be shared throughout East Sussex. The rationale appears to be that the pupil premium will make up the additional costs. Can the Secretary of State please clarify whether additional funds from the pupil premium are considered as part of the overall funding when the assessment is made of the minimum funding guarantee?

                                                                                                                 

  • On the 10th May, Amber asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider what support can be given to seaside towns under the current government:

The economy of Hastings received a tremendous boost today when the Heritage Lottery Fund announced that it would support our bid for £8.7 million for the pier renewal but, sadly, seaside towns in general and we in Hastings suffer from bad transport links, high public sector employment and low wages. Will the Chancellor consider what can be done to support seaside towns under this Government?

                                                                                                                  

  • On the 28th April, Amber asked the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport to reflect on the changes to the May Bank Holiday:

I am sorry to say that many colleagues and Members may have missed the extraordinary sight of nearly 100 Morris dancers, Green men and Bogies up from Hastings to make the point that we do not want to move our bank holiday, because it is so important to tourism and the commercial reality of Hastings. Does the Minister agree that this strength of feeling demonstrates that he should reflect carefully on whether to move that bank holiday?

                                                                                                                     

  • On the 27th April, Amber asked the Cabinet Office Minister about the access to Government Contracts for small and medium sized businesses. This was followed by a question to the Minister over the difficulties small and medium sized businesses in Hastings had in  getting capital requirements:

What steps he is taking to increase access to Government contracts for small and medium-sized enterprises.

During a recent meeting, small and medium-sized enterprises in Hastings raised with me the difficulties not just of the paperwork, but of getting the capital requirements in this climate for procurement contracts with the Government. Will the Minister reassure us that that aspect will also be considered, as we try to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to engage with the Government?

                                                                                                                    

  • On the 5th April, Amber questioned the Attorney-Gerneral over the enforcement approach of the Bribery Act:

Does my hon. and learned Friend agree with the CBI that the SFO must take a common-sense approach to enforcement of the Bribery Act to ensure that it is reasonable and risk-based?

  • In a later session Amber questioned the Electroal Commission Committee over the importance of reform as well as money through the pupil premium with regards to social mobility:

 Parents and teachers in Hastings warmly welcome the pupil premium that will follow children with free school meals, of whom we have a high level. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is not just the money but the reforms proposed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that will make the real difference in making social mobility a part of our lives?

                                                                                                                

  • On the 22nd March, Amber asked the Treasury Minister if he agreed that safe-guarding the NHS budget would help support women:

Does the Minister agree that the fact that we are not cutting the NHS will really support women because they are so often carers in their family and it is so important that we support them in that important role?

                                                                                                                   

  • On the 21st March, Amber asked the Secretary of State for Education about funding through the pupil premium being available for disadvantaged students in her constituency:

At a meeting last Friday at the Grove school in Hastings, I learnt that a whopping 48% of its new intake are on free school meals. Will the Secretary of State reassure me that sufficient funds will be available through the pupil premium to support disadvantaged students, such as those in my constituency, through their education?

                                                                                                                   

  • On the 15th March, Amber questioned the Foreign Secretary over the developments in Zimbabwe, asking if he would raise the issue with President Zuma of South Africa:

Political violence by Mugabe’s militias in Zimbabwe is rising again. Does the Secretary of State share my concern that the court ruling last week removing the Movement for Democratic Change Speaker and four of its MPs risks derailing the fragile journey to political reform? Will he raise this as a matter of urgency with President Zuma of South Africa and other leaders in the region?

                                                                                                                  

  • On the 10th March, Amber asked the Transport Minister what his department was doing to improve rail services in the South-East. This was then followed by a question to the Minister on the increase in train capacity in the South-East:

What steps his Department is taking to improve rail transport in the south-east.

The issue in the south-east seems to be capacity, and we cannot continue to put ever more passengers on the same lines. Does the Minister agree that an upgrade of the Brighton to Ashford line might increase capacity and improve the quality of travel for passengers, and that it would be a great addition for all residents of the south-east?

                                                                                                                  

  • On the 7th March, Amber questioned the Home Secretary on the additional information provided to women on the new policing crime map:

Residents of Hastings and Rye warmly welcome the additional information from the crime and policing website, but is the Home Secretary aware of the additional service it provides to women who may be coming home late at night and might feel vulnerable? That is particularly important ahead of international women’s day tomorrow.

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  • On the 3rd March, Amber asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about both the role of tourism in stimulating economic growth. She then also questioned the Parliamentary Under-Secretary on the potential effects of moving the May Day bank holiday for Hastings, and whether he would accept a petition from Amber and local figures calling for an abandonment of the proposal:

What assessment he has made of the role of tourism in stimulating economic growth.

The first annual May day bank holiday is very important to my town of Hastings, as we attract more than 20,000 visitors and £5 million in revenue. We are therefore very concerned about the consultation on moving this bank holiday. Will the Minister accept a petition to consider abandoning the proposal-which already has over 1,000 signatures-from me, together with a few morris men and our Mad Jack from Hastings?

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  • On the 2nd March, Amber asked the following questions to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for The Civil Society about the implementation of the National Civil Service, also enquiring about potential expansion of the service, who was in charge of the system and how MP’s could get involved with the service:

In which regions the national citizen service will operate in the summer of 2011.

My constituents and I are very much looking forward to the service arriving in Hastings and its environment. What are the arrangements for rolling the service out further; who will be in charge of fulfilment; and how can MPs get involved with it?

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  • On the 28th February, Amber asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to join her in congratulating East Sussex County Council for providing financial support allowing the St Leonards academy to be rebuilt, providing more educational opportunities for students in Hastings:

Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Conservative-run East Sussex county council, which, after a disappointing grant from the Department for Education, has stepped in with £12 million of capital that it had not planned to give to ensure that the St Leonards academy is rebuilt to provide better education in Hastings?

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  • On the 14th February, Amber questioned the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about 16-hour part-time contracts and what advice he could provide to businesses regarding making these contracts financially suitable for prospective candidates:

This morning I met the BBC-the business breakfast club-in Hastings, which is a group of local employers. It raised with me its concern that when offering additional work to part-time employees of 16 hours, those employees often do not want to take it up because they find themselves worse off. Will the Secretary of State advise what will be done to even that out and make sure that work does pay after 16 hours?

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  • On the 9th February 2011, Amber asked the following Question to the Chancellor of the Exchquer concerning bankers’ bonuses:

Does the Chancellor welcome, as I do, the assessment of the Centre for Economics and Business Research that for the first time ever, bankers will pay more in tax than they take home from their bonuses?

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  • On the 29th November 2010, Amber questioned the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport about his progress on supporting philanthropy in the arts, referring in particular to companies attracting support for their business outside London, using the local example of Gizmo in the Hastings & Rye constituency;

What progress he has made on arrangements to support philanthropy in the arts?

Has the Secretary of State considered more specifically how organisations outside London might attract support for their businesses or their charitable organisations, such as Gizmo in my constituency, which provides creative workshops for young people? How can they attract financial support outside London?________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 25th November 2010, Amber asked the Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government about what steps his department was taking to return empty homes back to productive use

In Hastings, more than 2,300 families are on the housing waiting list and there are more than 800 empty homes. Has the Minister considered whether there is any additional incentive that we can give to councils to try to bring the more difficult properties, which have been empty for more than two years, back to productive use, as against the slightly easier properties, which have been empty for six months?________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 17th November 2010, Amber questioned the Prime Minister about employment in Hastings;

On a day when employment is at the top of people’s minds, could I ask the Prime Minister to join me in congratulating the Saga Group on its wise decision to move into Hastings, which has very high public sector employment, with up to 800 new jobs for the town?_______________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 15th November 2010, Amber asked the Education Secretary about the Pupil Premium and how it will benefit Hastings & Rye;

Although 23.3% of our pupils at primary school in Hastings are on free school meals, against an average of 15%, our head teachers are still concerned that the number of children eligible for free school meals is under-represented in my town and that some people are simply not signing up. We hope that the Secretary of State will be able to consider other ways of deciding who will be in receipt of the pupil premium, in addition to free school meals. _______________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 2nd November 2010, Amber questioned the Health Secretary about the number of Health Visitors in Hastings & Rye;

I know that the Secretary of State is aware of the high level of teenage pregnancies in this country, and particularly in Hastings in my constituency. What action are we going to take to support those young women? We all know of the negative health outcomes that come with those young pregnancies. ________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 25th October 2010, Amber asked the following Question to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport about Hastings Pier;

Many Members on both sides of the House have been kind enough to share their sympathy with me and my constituents about the devastating fire that afflicted Hastings and its pier recently. However, the reports of its death are exaggerated: the sub-structure is intact, the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust is launching an appeal and we hope to rebuild on top of it. Will the Minister meet a group of us so that we can tell him more about it and learn from his experience?  _______________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 19th October 2010, Amber also asked the following Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice about drug addiction in prison;

What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on drug addiction services in prisons?

He will be aware that many prisoners struggle with choosing abstinence over methadone when they want to kick their drug habits, so what action will the Government take to encourage prisoners to take an abstinence-based regime instead of methadone ________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 18th October 2010, Amber asked a Question to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions about the Government’s plans to communicate changes in Welfare policy to young people. This is an issue that Amber has been campaigning on strongly;

I know that the Secretary of State is aware of conversations I have been having in my constituency with youth leaders about how we can communicate changes in the welfare programme to young people who do not watch the Parliament Channel and sometimes do not read the papers. Do we have a campaign plan to try to communicate the changes to them, perhaps through texting or facebooking and the internet? ________________________________________________________________________________ 

  • On the 14th September 2010, Amber asked a Question to the Foreign Secretary concerning diplomatic relations between Kosovo and Serbia;

Does the Foreign Secretary think that there are hopeful signs in the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia? Will he give us an update on the current state of the proposed resolution _________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 26th July 2010, Amber also Questioned the Home Secretary about the impact that the new Border Patrol Force will have in reducing illegal immigration; 

What effect does my right hon. Friend expect the national crime agency’s border police force to have on the number of illegal immigrants, which the previous Government estimated to be around 700,000 ________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the the 20th July 2010, Amber asked a Question to the Government about removing regulation on business and simplyfying the tax system;

Is the Minister aware that in Hastings we have some very successful business groups? They often complain to me about the over-regulation and complexity of the system. If we are to achieve the necessary growth, we need to allow them to expand their businesses. Can he assure me that this office will focus especially on those small and medium enterprises that will provide the growth that this country needs _______________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 13th July 2010, Amber asked these Questions on the 13th July 2010 to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about how to support economic growth in Hastings;

What steps he plans to take to support economic growth in the south-east?

Is she aware that certain areas of the south-east have very high levels of public sector employment? I am thinking in particular of the town of Hastings in my constituency, where we have 43% public sector employment. What steps can be taken to help such areas of the south-east to benefit from the national insurance advantage proposed in the Budget?

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  • On 12th July 2010, Amber asked a number of Questions to the Secretary of State for Education about the Government can improve the attainment of Children from poorer backgrounds in Hastings;

What assessment he has made of the educational achievement of pupils in receipt of free school meals in (a) Hastings and (b) England?

Will she confirm that the children who are eligible for free school meals will qualify for the pupil premium? Those who have high numbers of children on free school meals in our constituencies, as I do in Hastings, are looking forward to having that advantage to help our children do well. ________________________________________________________________________________ 

  • On 12th July 2010, Amber asked a Question to the Secretary of State for Education about the waste and bureaucracy in school buding projects;

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, under the overly cumbersome Building Schools for the Future, it took on average 13 months from first meeting to first construction of a site? What can be done under this Government to ensure that that does not happen again?  ________________________________________________________________________________

  • On 1st July 2010, Amber asked a question to Minister for Energy and Climate Change about green technology;

Is the Secretary of State aware that some extraordinary technological advances are being made by British private companies? One in particular-Marshall-Tufflex in my constituency-would like to come and see Ministers to show them the advances that it has made that could help with general carbon reduction?  ________________________________________________________________________________

  • On 24th June 2010, Amber asked the Environment Secretary about reform of the Common Fisheries Policy;

What recent discussions she has had with the fishing industry and other interested parties on reform of the common fisheries policy?

I thank the Minister for his answer. I know that he is aware of the shameful way in which the under-10-metre community of fishermen have been treated in the past 13 years. What steps might this Government take to restore their way of life?  ________________________________________________________________________________

  • On the 7th June 2010, Amber asked the Secretary of State about the Academies Programme in Hastings;

I know that the Secretary of State is aware that in Hastings we have two new academies scheduled for next year. We are very pleased to have two very important sponsors-Brighton university and BT. May I ask what plans he has, and what steps can be taken, to encourage a high quality of sponsors to participate in the academies?

  • In the same session, Amber also questioned the Secretary of State about Free Schools;

I have received a number of inquiries, as I am sure other Members have, from teachers who would like to get involved in starting up free schools but are concerned about confidentiality issues. Can my right hon. Friend advise where they should go to find out more about how to go about setting up free schools without revealing too much about their personal detail?

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