Written answers

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

  • Department for Transport

    • Railway Stations: Visual Impairment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring Network Rail to install safety tactile edging at all railway station platforms...

    • Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) regional distribution and (b) local authority breakdown is for successful applications for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.

      Trains: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the rate of covid-19 transmission on trains where social distancing is (a) maintained and (b) not possible; and...

      Large Goods Vehicles: Electric Vehicles

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to encourage the development of electric powered HGVs.

      Network Rail: Vacancies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the current vacancy rate is within Network Rail as defined by its Target Operating Model.

      Buses and Trains: Ventilation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what improvements have been made to ventilation infrastructure on (a) buses and (b) trains since the start of the covid-19 outbreak.

      Railways: Parking

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much revenue Network Rail has made from car parking charges in the last five years.

      Trains: Hitachi

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the regime of welding the Hitachi Intercity Class 800 series trains is planned to take place; and whether that process will take place before a...

      Railways: Wales

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding that would be allocated to the Welsh rail system in the event that funding was allocated in...

      Department for Transport and Network Rail: Consultants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much (a) his Department and (b) Network Rail has spent on external consultants in each of the last five years on matters relating to the...

      Railways: Wales

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding has been invested in the rail network in Wales in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

      Tonnage Tax

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with relevant stakeholders on a refresh to the tonnage tax regime.

      Railways: Visual Impairment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of blind and partially-sighted people while they use the railway network.

      Network Rail: Vacancies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the current vacancy rate is within the Governance Function at Network Rail as defined by its Target Operating Model.

      Railways: Wales

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequential payment to the Welsh Government in the event that responsibility for rail in Wales was devolved...

      Travel Restrictions: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the Government's policy is on whether tour operators should run holidays to countries classified as in the Amber zone under covid-19 travel...

      Coronavirus: Quarantine

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a UK national returning to the UK from a country on the Amber list under covid-19 travel restrictions is required to quarantine for 10 days at...

      Network Rail: Job Description

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason Network Rail has revised the job descriptions of its Safety, Health and Environment Specialists, reducing their required level of...

      c2c: Rolling Stock

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish an update on the delivery and rollout of c2c's Class 720 Bombardier Aventra EMUs.

      Aviation: Passengers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to update air passenger forecasts following the covid-19 pandemic.

      Aviation: Fuels

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to take steps to (a) establish a long-term price support mechanism for sustainable aviation fuels and (b) create a sustainable...

      East West Rail

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps have been taken to consult residents affected by the planned East West Rail Line between Cambridge and Oxford.

      Electric Vehicles: Accidents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish data for road traffic accidents involving e-scooters, electric bikes and electric skateboards on (a) public highways and (b)...

      Rail Review

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the Williams Rail Review.

      Taxis: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Ministers and (b) officials at the Department for Transport on the need for continued financial support...

      Taxis: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Ministers and (b) officials at HM Treasury on the need for continued financial support for taxi drivers at...

      Large Goods Vehicles: Theatre

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU on UK hauliers supporting theatre...

      Railways: Infrastructure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of construction materials available to rail infrastructure projects.

      Northern Rail Franchise: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to enhance rail performance between Southport and Manchester Piccadilly stations.

      Railways: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) South Western Railway and (b) other rail operators to increase the number of carriages on suburban routes...

      Trains: Hitachi

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of whether the cracking issue identified in the Hitachi Intercity Class 800 will potentially worsen over...

      Trains: Hitachi

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has assessed whether it is entitled to compensation as a result of cracking within the Hitachi Intercity Class 800 series trains

      Trains: Hitachi

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the projected lifespan of Hitachi’s Intercity Class 800 series trains have been shortened as a result of cracking.

  • Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    • Electricity Interconnectors: Portsmouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish his decision on the Aquind Interconnector project.

    • Energy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department will publish an energy Strategy and Policy Statement.

      Energy: Public Consultation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Government most recently consulted on an Energy Strategy and Policy Statement; what the outcome of that...

      Company Liquidations: West Yorkshire

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many companies which were operating in the 2018-19 financial year ceased trading in the 2019-20 financial year in...

      Energy: Meters

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the minimum data set is that will be collected from energy consumers who agree to the installation of smart...

      Wind Power: Investment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what actions he is taking to increase investment in the onshore wind supply chain.

      Climate Change

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he last discussed the climate emergency with Ministers in the Welsh Government.

      Climate Change

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he last discussed the climate emergency with Ministers in the Scottish Government.

      Climate Change

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he last discussed the climate emergency with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive.

      Greenhouse Gas Emissions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps he has taken to achieve the net zero emissions target.

      Hospitality Industry: Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of the UK's departure from the EU on staffing levels in the...

      Consumers: Subscriptions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of protections offered by the (a) Consumer Contract...

      Employment: Loneliness

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his plans to abolish the Industrial Strategy Council, what plans he has to ensure the delivery of the...

      Post Offices: ICT

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help ensure that sub-postmasters wrongly convicted as a result of faults in the Horizon IT...

      Weddings: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether (a) private farms and (b) other unlicensed venues will be allowed to host weddings receptions after June 21 2021.

      Conditions of Employment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with (a) employers’ representatives, (b) employee representatives; and(c) devolved...

      Retail Sector Council: Xinjiang

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whom from his Department attended the attended the retail sector council on Xinjiang in February 2021; whether minutes...

      Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of scrutiny of the recovery practices of coronavirus...

      Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what arrangements are in place in the event that a claim is made against a Government guarantee for a coronavirus...

      Space Debris

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to (a) prevent and (b) reduce the amount of space debris.

      OneWeb

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to use OneWeb to enhance the UK’s space capabilities.

  • Department of Health and Social Care

    • Gyms: Protective Clothing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidential basis is for the guidance issued his Department on the use of facemasks in gyms.

    • Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the enquiry from the hon. Member for High Peak dated 15 February 2021, referenced RL18647.

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the enquiry from the hon. Member for High Peak dated 29 March 2021, referenced RL19346.

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for West Lancashire of 31 March 2021 on smear tests, reference ZA56134.

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for West Lancashire of 1 April 2021 on vaccine passports, reference ZA56156.

      NHS England: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that NHS England respond to the letter from the hon. Member for West Lancashire to the Chief People...

      Joint Replacements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many hospitals in England provide joint replacement treatment within the 18 week target time.

      Nutrition

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of eating a diet rich in rich in fish, vegetables and olive oil on protecting the...

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letter dated 25 February 2021, with follow up letters of the 25 March 2021 and 25 April 2021 from the...

      Sun and Sunbeds: Health Hazards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to inform people of the dangers of (a) exposure to the sun and (b) the use of sunbeds.

      Kidney Diseases: Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 29 April 2021 to Question 186169 on Kidney Diseases: Young People, what processes are in place to ensure...

      Borderline Substances Advisory Committee

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the (a) annual budget, (b) number of staff and (c) oversight and governance arrangements are of the Advisory Committee on Borderline...

      Travel: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of exempting (a) academics who undertake regular in-person work in the UK but...

      Coronavirus: Disease Control

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing public usage of (a) vitamins D and C to improve immune system responses...

      NHS: Protective Clothing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish details of the contracts with Unispace Global Ltd to supply the NHS with personal protective equipment, including (a)...

      Steroid Drugs: Misuse

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the harms caused by Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs.

      Gender Recognition: Clinics

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to establish additional NHS gender clinics to reduce waiting times.

      Kidney Diseases: Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 29 April 2021 to Question 186168 on Kidney Diseases: Health Services, what processes are in place to...

      Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 26 April 2021 to Question 179462 on Coronavirus, what the (a) status and (b) proposal detail of the work...

      Obesity

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many eating disorder charities the Government consulted as part of the Tackling Obesity Strategy.

      Coronavirus: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the three eligibility factors for covid-19 vaccinations for young people under 16 who are clinically extremely...

      Coronavirus: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average distance is that a person must travel to receive their (a) first and (b) second vaccination dose in England.

      Coronavirus: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many covid-19 vaccination appointments have been cancelled due to supply issues each month since January 2021 in (a) England and (b)...

      Medical Records: Data Protection

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) organisations with addresses outside the UK and (b) private sector organisations had access to NHS Digital data sets for the...

      Mental Health Services: Telemedicine

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of digital exclusion on the delivery of remote NHS mental health services.

      NHS: Digital Technology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to roll out digital inclusion to assist people to access digitalised health services, including (a) repeat prescription...

      Miscarriage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) physical and (b) mental effect of a second trimester miscarriage on an expectant mother.

      Hospitals: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to record instances of covid-19 contracted in hospitals.

      Mental Health Act 1983 Independent Review

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish his plans to reform the Mental Health Act.

      Miscarriage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of miscarriages that occur during the second trimester each year.

      Kidney Diseases: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 29 April 2021 to Question 186169 on Kidney Diseases: Young People, what plans his Department has to...

      Health Services: Autism and Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of his Department’s ability to meet the Government’s 2024 target of a 50 per cent...

      Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that disabled people are able to live independently as part of their local communities.

      Dementia: Drugs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 26 April 2021 to Question 187127 on Dementia: Prescription Drugs, what steps the Government is taking to...

      NHS: Recruitment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential contribution to increasing health output that might be achieved through the increased...

      Health Services: Autism and Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to remove financial incentives which can result in people with a learning disability and autistic...

      Health Services: Autism and Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of his Department’s ability to meet the Government’s 2024 target of a 50 per cent...

      Health Services: Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) early intervention and (b) prevention are at the centre of the cross-organisational...

      Health Services: Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure early intervention and prevention is at the centre of the cross departmental strategy on Transforming...

      Health Services: Autism and Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that there are no financial incentives for people with a learning disability and/or autism...

      Disability: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to (a) vital therapies and (b) essential health appointments for children with...

      Care Homes: Visits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that Government guidance on out-of-home visits which came into force on 4 May 2021 is...

  • Department for Education

    • Pupils and Students: Protective Clothing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what advice he received from Public Health England prior to his decision that from 17 May face coverings for pupils and students in classrooms or...

    • Swimming: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of Swim England’s recent findings that a quarter of a million children are unable to swim the length...

      Children: Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of covid-19 on the (a) development and (b) education of children with disabilities; and what steps...

      Students: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to secure rent rebates for students in privately managed halls of residence.

      Student Wastage: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) completion and (b) drop out rates in universities in the last 12...

      Students: Fees and Charges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding has been made available to universities to cover tuition fee reductions for (a) domestic and EU and (b) international students.

      Universities: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the (a) scientific and (b) medical evidential basis for the decision to restrict face-to-face teaching in universities until 17 May...

      Students: Mental Health

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on student mental health.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding is allocated per pupil in (a) high and (b) primary schools in Wakefield constituency.

      School Leaving: Merseyside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment his Department has made of trends in the number of white working-class boys leaving school without qualifications in (a) Southport and...

      Schools: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing further funding for schools to deal with the costs of (a) insurance, (b) sick pay,...

      Apprentices: Merseyside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to encourage the uptake of apprenticeships in (a) Southport and (b) Sefton Borough.

  • Prime Minister

  • Department for International Trade

    • Trade Agreements

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if the Government will make it its policy to refuse to negotiate trade deals with any country that has sanctioned hon. Members of the UK...

    • Cotton: Xinjiang

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of widespread forced labour in the Xinjiang cotton industry on the global cotton...

      Cotton: Xinjiang

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with the UK Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the effect of widespread forced...

      Import Duties

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether UK firms that import components under the new tariff suspension scheme would be eligible for tariff preferences on their exports...

      Import Duties

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether UK importers will (a) automatically have duty suspended on any imported component covered by the new tariff suspension scheme or (b)...

  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

    • Jonathan Taylor

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK whistleblower Jonathan Taylor's (a) application to appeal the extradition ruling being...

    • Tunisia: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support the Government is providing to Tunisia in their covid-19 vaccine roll out.

      Myanmar: Sanctions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of sanctions imposed as part of the Government response to the ongoing...

      Israel: Property Rights

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring that due process is followed when dealing...

      Coronavirus: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what provisions his Department has made to pay for covid-19 vaccines for UK citizens who are temporarily abroad...

      Colombia: Arrests

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports by human rights organisations in...

      Colombia: Freedom of Association and Protest

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps the Government is taking to ensure that (a) the right to protest and (b) freedom of...

      Overseas Aid: Mines Advisory Group

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the effect of reducing Official Development Assistance funding to the Mines...

      Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Government has had with the US Administration on its decision to withdraw its armed forces...

      Seas and Oceans: Treaties

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) parliamentary and (b) public engagement on the UN Areas...

      West Africa: Food Supply and Nutrition

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of food and nutrition insecurity situation in West Africa.

      West Africa: Food Supply

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to support communities facing acute food insecurity in West Africa.

      Israel: Defence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the UK's policy on Israel's right to self-defence.

      Mohammed al-Roken

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Emirati counterpart on (a) the health of Mohammed al-Roken in response to...

      Anoosheh Ashoori

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has take to progress the case of Anoosheh Ashoori.

      Violence: Females

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department spent on ending violence against women and girls in 2020.

      Armenia: Azerjaijan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the recent developments on the border...

      Nagorno Karabakh: Cultural Heritage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of Azerbaijan on reports of the (a) protection of...

      Albania: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what practical assistance his Department is providing to the residents of Camp Ashraf 3 in Albania in tackling the...

      Armenia: Azerbaijan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will support President Macron's call for Azerbaijan to withdraw forces which have breached the Armenian...

      Overseas Aid: UK Partnerships for Health Systems

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential effect of suspending Official Development Assistance...

      Myanmar: Rohingya

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the Rohingya population remaining in Rakhine province, Myanmar; and if he will make a...

      Coronavirus: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assistance consular services are providing to UK citizens abroad to help them access covid-19 vaccines.

  • Ministry of Defence

    • Veterans: Northern Ireland

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings the Minister for Veterans has had with the Northern Ireland Office to discuss the matter of Northern Ireland since occupying the role.

    • Armed Forces: Deployment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 15 of the Government’s Defence Command Paper, what the planned timetable is for increasing the UK’s global network by...

      Army: Employment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel will make up the new Security Force Assistance Brigade.

      Army

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to deliver the proposed warfighting division.

      Defence Cyber Academy: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget for the Defence Cyber Academy is in each financial year between 2021-22 and 2024-25.

      Armed Forces: Technology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the armed forces are supported by world-class technological capabilities.

      Shipbuilding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish his plans to procure more support and protection vessels from UK yards.

      Defence Cyber Academy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeframe is for the establishment of the Defence Cyber Academy.

      Defence Cyber Academy: Location

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the Defence Cyber Academy will be located.

      Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to decide on the number of Lightning II F-35 aircraft to order in addition to those aircraft already ordered.

  • Department for Work and Pensions

    • Kickstart Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobs have been made available through the Kickstart Scheme in (a) the London Borough of Bexley, (b) Greater London and (c) England as...

    • Unemployment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent comparative assessment her Department has made of the (a) unemployment and (b) youth unemployment rates in (i) Coventry North East...

      Unemployment: Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of youth unemployment on the level of national output in 2021.

      Unemployment: Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report by the Prince’s Trust and Learning and Work Institute entitled Facing the future: employment prospects for...

      Social Security Benefits: Domestic Abuse

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the benefit cap policy on the ability of victims of domestic abuse to flee that abuse and secure...

      Social Security Benefits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been (a) placed into financial hardship, (b) become destitute or (c) become homeless while subject to the benefit cap in...

      Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the proportion of England in which one parent families subject to the benefit cap with (a) two children, (b)...

      Food Banks and Food Poverty: Enfield North

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) food poverty and (b) levels of food bank usage in Enfield North.

      Children: Poverty

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the levels of child poverty in (a) England and (b) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency.

      Domestic Abuse: Victims

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,what steps her Department is taking to support victims of domestic violence to access (a) safe and secure housing and (b) financial support.

      Carers: Coronavirus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department provides people who have become carers during the covid-19 outbreak.

      Children: Poverty

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the £20 uplift in universal credit on levels of child poverty in (a) England and (b) Oxford...

      Winter Fuel Payments: Databases

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether problems that may cause delays in Winter Fuel Payments were identified in relation to the new Seasonal Payment System; and what...

      Winter Fuel Payments: Databases

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many delayed Winter Fuel Payments were caused by incorrect address transfers in the new Seasonal Payment System.

      Winter Fuel Payments: Databases

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the new Winter Fuel Payments database (Seasonal Payment System) was chosen.

      Employment: Remote Working

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential employment opportunities of remote working for (a) vulnerable, (b) disabled and (c)...

      Post Office Card Account

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect on elderly people and people with mobility issues in towns and villages...

      Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to publish the new scheme for Special Rules for Terminal Illness.

      Pension Credit: Personal Savings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what incentives are in place for people in receipt of pension credit to continue saving when they reach the savings threshold of £10,000...

      Pensions: Females

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the number of women who have had a pensions clawback deduction from their occupational pension before they...

      Winter Fuel Payments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Winter Fuel Payments remain outstanding for 2020-21.

      Food Banks

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has met with food bank (a) providers and (b) user groups in developing her Department's food bank use reduction plans.

      Children: Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to enforce deduction from earning orders.

  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    • Water: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve water quality in shellfishing areas to meet class A standards.

    • Farmers: Government Assistance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to bring forward his proposals to assist UK farmers in increasing food output and improving productivity.

      Food: Marketing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help promote UK food at home and abroad.

      Export Health Certificates

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of official (a) vets and (b) inspectors available to certify...

      Animal Welfare: Transport

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that legislative changes on animal welfare in transport are informed by the...

      Timber: Production

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the planned additional woodland will be for sustainable wood production.

      Timber: Imports

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to set targets for substituting domestic wood production for imports as the forest area is expanded in the UK.

      Rodents: Trapping

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to review the (a) sale and (b) use of rodent glue traps across the UK; and whether he has plans to...

      Environment Protection: British Overseas Territories

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding has been made available by his Department for environment projects in the UK Overseas Territories in each...

      Pet Theft Task Force

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the remit and terms of reference of the Pet Theft Task Force announced on 8 May 2021.

      Bovine Tuberculosis: Screening

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what testing facilities are available for Mycoplasma Bovis within the UK.

      Bovine Tuberculosis: Agriculture

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of Mycoplasma bovis on the farming industry.

  • Home Office

    • Drugs: Smuggling

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 29 September 2020 to Question 92900 on Drugs: Smuggling, what assessment her Department has made of the (a)...

    • Drugs: Misuse

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government report entitled An evaluation of the Government’s Drug Strategy 2010, whether the Government has...

      Jews: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure the safety of the British Jewish community during periods of heightened tensions between Israel and the...

      Windrush Lessons Learned Review

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has fully implemented all recommendations from the Independent Windrush Lessons Learned Review; and what assessment...

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the letter of 12 November 2020 from the hon. Member for High Peak, reference RL14870.

      Immigration: Au Pairs

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on working parents who rely on au pairs for childcare of the decision not to...

      Asylum: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2021 to Question 725 on asylum: housing, how the budget for weekly support payment for an asylum seeker is...

  • Scotland Office

    • Union Connectivity Review

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the levels of co-operation of (a) the Scottish Government and (b) Transport Scotland in providing technical data...

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

    • Housing: Construction

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many houses have been built in Darlington in each of the last 20 years.

    • Neighbourhood Development Plans

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to increase the importance of Neighbourhood Plans in the Planning Bill.

      Private Rented Housing: Tenancy Agreements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the proportion of private landlords that are utilising (a) the Government’s current...

      Neighbourhood Development Plans

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to strengthen the role of neighbourhood plans in planning decisions.

      Social Rented Housing: Overcrowding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to tackle local authorities who fail to address overcrowding in social housing.

      Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on who is financially liable for the cost of remediation...

      Parks: Community Development

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to provide financial support to help community groups (a) create new pocket parks and (b)...

      Coastal Areas

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is providing to increase economic activity in coastal communities.

      Refuges: Females

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on improving access to women's refuges.

      Begging and Vagrancy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to bring forward proposals to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 in the 2021-22 parliamentary session.

  • Cabinet Office

    • UK Trade with EU: Customs

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to resolve customs delays at the UK-EU border.

    • Emergencies: Mobile Phones

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Emergency Alerts service will send the personal user data of the recipient of an alert through...

      Foreign Investment in UK: Assets

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the value of (a) buildings, (b) nuclear power stations and (c) other UK assets...

      Civil Service: Conditions of Employment

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 5 of the Civil Service management code, if he will provide details of all...

  • Treasury

    • Veterinary Services: VAT

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT on (a) veterinary services and (b) animal medications as...

    • Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the status of the UK-China Bond Connect.

      Blackmore Bond: Insolvency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he had with people who lost their life savings as a result of the collapse of Blackmore Bond Plc prior to making the decision not to...

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish a list of UK companies who are currently participating in the UK-China Cooperation Fund.

      Cryptocurrencies

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 23 April 2021 to Question 180919 on Bitcoin: electricity, what his planned timescale is for providing a common definition...

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many British companies have issued shares on the Shanghai Stock Market as part of the London-Shanghai Stock Connect.

      Bank Services

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions has he had with (a) bank and card issuers, (b) the Financial Conduct Authority, c) the British Bankers’ Association and (d)...

      Mortgages: Applications

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with high street banks on the treatment of mortgage applications by people in receipt of support through the Self-Employment...

      International Monetary System

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on the reallocation of the IMF's existing stock of Special Drawing Rights.

  • Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

    • Telecommunications: Infrastructure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2021 to Question 709 on Telecommunications: Infrastructure, for what reason legislative...

    • Broadband: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the average internet (a) download and upload speed and (b) monthly cost for households in each...

      Gambling: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with publishers of children’s magazines on ending the depiction of football...

      Telecommunications: Infrastructure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when his Department plans to publish the Government's response to the consultation into the Electronic Communications Code.

      Telecommunications: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the findings of the Telecommunications Diversification Taskforce, what plans he has to create an...

      Telecommunications: Infrastructure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the findings of the Telecommunications Diversification Taskforce, what steps he plans to take to attract...

      Internet: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to include provisions that tackle harmful content shared across multiple platforms in the Online Safety Bill...

      Internet: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the potential merits of expanding the scope of the proposed online...

      Internet: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support Ofcom to prepare for its role as the independent online safety regulator as announced in...

      Internet: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the timetable for the Online Safety Bill announced in the Queen's Speech 2021 including for (a)...

      Digital Technology: Disadvantaged

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) people and (b) households that are considered digitally excluded (i) in the UK...

      Internet: Freedom of Speech

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to protect freedom of expression online.

      Music: Internet

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has plans to meet artists and songwriters following their open letter to the Prime Minister on 19 April 2021 on...

      Music: Internet

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent representations he has received on changing the law to ensure greater earnings for artists and composers when...

      Football Index

      To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he intends to (a) publish the Terms of Reference and (b) appoint the independent expert for the independent review of...

  • Ministry of Justice

    • Probation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

    • Probation: Public Appointments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

      MTC and Seetec: Probation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

      Probation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

      Probation: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

      Community Rehabilitation Companies: Contracts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

      Probation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

      Probation: Computer Software

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report, A thematic review of work to prepare for the unification of probation services, published by Her Majesty’s...

  • Women and Equalities

    • Question

      What recent discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the timeframe for publication of the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy 2021 to 2024.

    • Question

      What steps she is taking to support female entrepreneurs.

      Question

      What steps her Department is taking to tackle geographic inequality of opportunity.

  • Department for Transport

    • Driving: Mobile Phones

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 18 May (HL135), whether they intend to conduct another survey of hand-held mobile use by...

    • High Speed 2 Railway Line: Construction

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact predicted shortages of construction products at the end of the year will have on the (1) progress, and (2) costs, of...

      Pedicabs: Greater London

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 17 March (HL14066), what plans they have to use any legislation introduced in the...

  • Department for Education

    • Overseas Students: China

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total number of students from China currently studying in the UK; which universities in the UK have more than 10 per cent of students originating from...

  • Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    • Greensill: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their obligations under the European Commission's State Aid Transparency Award Module, whether they plan to publish details of (1) the identity of...

    • Greensill: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 27 April (HL14881), whether they will now answer the question put, namely,  how much they have paid or...

      Greensill: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 28 April (HL15066), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, how quickly after accreditation...

      Greensill: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 29 April (HL15063), what assessment they have made of the impact of the publication by the Bank of England...

      Greensill

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the collapse of Greensill Capital on the recovery of loans relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Post Offices: ICT

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken, if any, against the (1) designers, (2) sellers, and (3) implementers, of the Horizon software accounting system used by the Post...

      Equal Pay: Ethnic Groups

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make ethnicity pay gap reporting mandatory.

      Satellites: Risk Assessment

      To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to assess the risks of any increase in the number of satellites in low-orbit, including the risks of (1) light pollution, and (2) debris.

      British Home Stores: Company Liquidations

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what fees have been charged by the liquidators of BHS; and when the liquidation is likely to be finalised.

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

    • Local Government Boundary Commission for England

      To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the role and responsibilities of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England will be affected by the inspection of Liverpool City Council.

    • Construction: Certification Quality Marks

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prepare for when both the CE and UK Conformity Assessed markings will be accepted for construction materials; how they will ensure...

  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

    • Jerusalem: Violence

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem on 11 May that the violence in Jerusalem "violates the...

    • Palestinians: Elections

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Palestinian Authority about that Authority's decision to postpone elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council.

      International Organisations: Antisemitism

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote the adoption by international bodies of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism.

      Israel: Sanctions

      To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they oppose initiatives at the United Nations which promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the government of Israel.

  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    • South Africa: Hunting

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of South Africa about the banning of hunting of (1) lions, and (2) other so-called "trophy” animals.

    • Cats: Tagging

      To ask Her Majesty's Government how many responses were received to their consultation on the microchipping of cats.

      Recycling

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards improving recycling and reuse in England; and what steps they have taken to ensure their policies in this regard are...

      Marine Animals: Animal Welfare

      To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what progress they have made strengthening legal protections for farmed aquatic animals at the time of slaughter, and (2) what plans they have to introduce (a)...

      Animal Welfare

      To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to establish a register of those convicted of cruelty to animals; and if so, when such a register will be established.

  • Home Office

    • Unexplained Wealth Orders

      To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Unexplained Wealth Orders have been issued in each jurisdiction of the UK since their introduction.

    • Criminal Finances Act 2017: Northern Ireland

      To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date the Criminal Finances Act 2017 will be brought into force in Northern Ireland.

      Proceeds of Crime: Northern Ireland

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the value of proceeds of crimes which have not been seized in Northern Ireland as a result of the delay in the operation of the...

      Police and Crime Commissioners: Costs

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the annual cost of each Police and Crime Commissioner; and what assessment they have made of the value added to policing from the election of Police and...

      Slavery: Victims

      To ask Her Majesty's Government how many potential victims of modern slavery referred into the National Referral Mechanism who received positive reasonable grounds decisions were (1) perpetrators...

  • Treasury

    • Sheffield City Region Combined Authority: Borrowing

      To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will decide on (1) Sheffield City Region’s borrowing plans announced in March, and (2) a debt cap agreed by the Treasury and Sheffield City Region.

    • Kuflink

      To ask Her Majesty's Government on what dates the tripartite meetings between the Financial Conduct Authority, directors of Kuflink Ltd and related entities, and their auditors took place;...

      Banks: Government Assistance

      To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) HSBC, (2) Standard Charter, (3) Jardine Matheson, or (4) the Swire Group, have benefited from (a) the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (b) the...

  • Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

    • Swimming: Children

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reduction in the numbers of children learning to swim due to the closure of swimming pools in the past year.

    • Football Foundation: Schools

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of schools that have benefited from Football Foundation funding that have withdrawn community access from their facilities.

      National Lottery Community Fund: Schools

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of schools that have benefited from the National Lottery Community Fund but which have withdrawn community access to...

      Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

      To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Barran on 17 May (HL33), when they expect to make a decision about whether or not to ratify the UNESCO Convention for...

      Politics and Government

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to defend British (1) history, (2) culture, and (3) values, from individuals and organisations that see themselves as 'woke'.

      Proof of Identity: Digital Technology

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assist businesses in creating digital identity services.

      Internet: Fraud

      To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect the public from financial scams and fraud promoted by online platforms; whether such plans include preventing such platforms...

What is this?

The parliamentary question is a great way for MPs and Peers to discover information which the government may not wish to reveal. Ministers reply via written answers, a list of which gets published daily.

We let you vote on whether or not the answer given is adequate.

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