Written answers

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

  • Ministry of Defence

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he or (b) any of his ministerial colleagues held discussions with representatives from Global Counsel regarding procurement contracts...

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has deployed (a) military police and (b) other personnel to Cameron Barracks.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to question 110946 on Navy: Artificial Intelligence, what assessment has he made of the potential level of...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will make an estimate of the cost of an “iron dome” air defence system for the UK.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his department has made on the Pillar 1 recommendations of the Defence Housing Strategy.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) RAF Typhoons and b) RAF F-35Bs are stationed at RAF Akrotiri, as at 6 February 2026.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for announcing the replacement for the Hawk jet trainer.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the minimum operationally deployable capability drop standard for the Ajax-family of vehicles.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, within which Ministry of Defence a) projects and b) programmes are Palantir currently involved.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that no UK public funds awarded to Palantir Technologies are used to support activities connected to...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether elements of Project Lily be included in other programmes going forward.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason was the out of service date of Watchkeeper was extended beyond March 2025.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the in-service date of HMS Venturer.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to question 110946 on Navy: Artificial Intelligence, what is the full scope of the Maritime Fighting Web.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent on the upkeep of HMS Albion since 20 November 2024.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his Department's policy to sell HMS Albion.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out of service date of HMS Iron Duke.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the reported increase in drone incursions near UK military bases, including those in Scotland, and what steps...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the quality, maintenance and availability of service family accommodation in Scotland.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, why Project Lily was cancelled.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 100908 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, how many contracts have been placed.

  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the (a) levels of welfare of hounds used in hunting activities and (b) adequacy...

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to financially support upland farmers in areas such as Exmoor.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has assessed the potential implications of levels of workforce availability of sheep shearers on...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the proposed consultation on banning trail hunting will allow submissions on family pets being killed by hunting...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of pressures on the sheep shearing workforce on (a) farm...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the contribution of British Wool's (a) sheep shearing training and (b) exchange with...

      Game: Gun Sports

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent illegal persecution of hen harriers and other birds of prey on land...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to HCWS1281 on reform to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, what plans she has to regulate veterinary and...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what engagement her Department has had with animal protection organisations on the development of activity regulations under...

      Agriculture: Imports

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of imported agricultural produce on farm-gate prices for British farmers.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the regulation of travel companies...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the annual volume of electronic waste generated by manufacturers withdrawing...

  • Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    • Pay Television and Telecommunications: Fees and Charges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of consumer protections for customers from price rises from telecommunications...

    • Social Media: Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing in (a)...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure children use AI safely.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that parents have the skills they need to support children's safe use of AI.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department is planning to take to ensure that social media sites adhere to their 13+ rule of access.

  • Department for Work and Pensions

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help support people with endometriosis in the workplace in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

    • Food Banks

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the criteria for foodbanks to be included within official foodbank statistics.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people who leave higher education without completing their course and subsequently claim...

  • Home Office

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what policing powers Border Force personnel hold.

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the economic contribution to the UK of (a) holders of European Communities...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, published on 28 November 2025, whether accrued...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of its earned settlement proposals on the number of children who will be...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Border Force personnel are qualified to conduct Visit, Board, Search, Seizure operations.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number and administrative cost of applications for leave to remain per annum that will result...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation local authorities are provided with in the development and review of their local Asylum Accommodation Plans.

      Evri: Migrant Workers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of compliance by Evri and its subcontractors with statutory right‑to‑work checks.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with Police Scotland on the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of destination country for girls trafficked from the UK overseas for sexual exploitation.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many girls are currently listed as missing, broken down by local authority.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any UK police forces have used Palantir software in conjunction with live or retrospective facial recognition systems since January 2020.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has considered the potential implications of awarding contracts to companies reportedly providing technological...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the compatibility of Palantir Technologies’ contracts with UK government ethical...

      Law and Order: Artificial Intelligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what standards her Department sets for the ethical and technical assurance of AI systems used in law enforcement.

  • Department for Transport

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 105894, what estimate the Department has made of the proportion of efficiency savings attributed...

    • Liverpool Street Station: Repairs and Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s Liverpool Street station viability appraisal.

      Liverpool Street Station: Repairs and Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential future costs to the public purse of the Liverpool Street Station redevelopment.

      Technology: Investment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2026 to Question 108013, if she will list those technology investments and provide the Benefit-Cost Ratio for...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she will update Circular 01/2007 on speed camera guidance.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to consult with groups representing motorcyclists to inform the Integrated National Transport Strategy for England.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood on...

  • Northern Ireland Office

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on food security and local growing incentives.

  • Treasury

    • Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 101775 on 1 Carlton Gardens: Council tax, whether the Chancellor’s residence in Downing Street...

    • Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the evidential basis for the decision to freeze the student loan repayment threshold for graduates; and what assessment he has made of the...

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has undertaken analysis of how student loan repayment arrangements affect (1) borrowers’ disposable income and (2) their...

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether consumer credit affordability and creditworthiness checks adequately prevent people with high levels of debt and known gambling-related financial...

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the business rates system on (a) high street hospitality businesses and (b) large online retailers;...

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she has plans to include the horticultural sector in the CBAM from January 2028.

      Question

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of Plan Two Student Loans on people’s ability to afford housing.

  • Department for Education

    • Students: Loans

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what hardship protections are available to student loan borrowers experiencing financial pressure, and what assessment the Department has made of the...

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much and what proportion of the funding for the SEND teacher training programme announced on 16 January 2026 will be allocated to training on...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of SEND transport contracts on local authority spending; and whether she plans to...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment has she made of the adequacy of financial support available to university students.

  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to respond to the letter sent on 12 December 2025 by the hon. Member for Twickenham.

  • Department of Health and Social Care

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies on community pharmacies of (a) business rates revaluation...

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve support housing-with-care for older people.

      Telemedicine

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that contracts drawn up by telecare services provided by local authority-connected bodies...

      Sodium Valproate

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help improve coordination between health, education, and social care services for families...

      Sodium Valproate: Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason recommendations for a sodium valproate redress scheme have not been implemented.

      Sodium Valproate: Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the devolved nations regarding establishing a UK wide sodium valproate redress scheme.

      Sodium Valproate: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of children who have (a) been harmed by sodium valproate use during pregnancy and (b)...

      Sodium Valproate and Surgical Mesh Implants: Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to publish a timetable for implementing redress recommendations from the Cumberlege Review and the Hughes Report.

      Sodium Valproate

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what dates his Department has met with patient groups representing families affected by sodium valproate since January 2024.

      Dementia: Screening

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of expanding genetic for (a) the APOE4 gene and (b) other dementia-related risk...

      National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to ensure parliamentary oversight of the proposed changes to NICE regulations.

      Life Sciences

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the uptake of generic and biosimilar medicines to meet the objectives set out in the...

      Life Sciences Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to reinstate the Life Sciences Council.

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the availability of diagnostic and treatment pathways for Tourette syndrome across Integrated...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of introducing the 2018 Nutrient Profiling Model on business investment...

      Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to HCWS1271 of 26 January 2026t on Improving Cancer Care and Early Diagnosis, when the National Cancer Plan will be...

      Tuberculosis: Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding provisions his Department has made in relation to the forthcoming National Tuberculosis Action Plan 2026–2031.

  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

    • Question

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 110095, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the absence of...

  • Home Office

    • Offences against Children: Internet

      To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent cases of online grooming by terrorists by educating people about the consequential danger to their wellbeing and the...

    • Offences against Children: Internet

      To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are in place to ensure that young girls that are subject to online grooming in the UK are supported indiscriminately, regardless of their faith and race.

      Shamima Begum

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of online grooming in the case of Shamima Begum.

      Visas: Arts

      To ask His Majesty's Government how many global talent visa endorsement applications from (1) non-disabled, and (2) disabled, artists have been (a) endorsed, and (b) rejected, by Arts...

      Internet: Offences against Children

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of young girls who are currently in danger of online grooming; and what procedures are in place to support their wellbeing.

  • Restoration and Renewal Client Board

  • The Senior Deputy Speaker

    • Victoria Tower: Scaffolding

      To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker what is the purpose and function of the scaffolding being constructed around Victoria Tower; and whether any people will work under that scaffolding.

    • Palace of Westminster: Fires

      To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker where in the parliamentary estate each of the 36 fire incidents since 2016 referenced in the Restoration and Renewal Client Board report Delivering restoration...

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

    • National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

      To ask His Majesty's Government what are the latest cost estimates for the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens.

    • Social Rented Housing

      To ask His Majesty's Government how many units of social housing there were in the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate they have made of the number of social housing...

  • Department for Transport

    • Road Traffic Offences: Driverless Cars

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether penalty points can be applied to a safety operator supervising an autonomous system when the vehicle commits an offence...

    • Taxis: Driverless Vehicles

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the readiness of autonomous taxi technology for public use.

      Driverless Vehicles: Accidents

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether companies conducting autonomous vehicle trials are required to publish incident and near-miss data; and if not, whether they plan to mandate this before...

      Driverless Vehicles: Accidents

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of who has legal liability for traffic offences committed by autonomous vehicles.

      Road Traffic Offences: Driverless Cars

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to issue guidance to police forces on prosecuting companies operating autonomous vehicles for traffic contraventions.

  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

    • Solar Power: China

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the sources of all imports of polycrystalline silicon into the UK from China associated with the construction and assembly of solar...

    • Energy: Artificial Intelligence

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential role of artificial intelligence and smart data technologies in modernising energy networks and forecasting...

      Solar Power: China

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken routine checks under the Great British Energy Act 2025 of all shipments of components from China required for solar panel installation...

      Solar Power: China

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the protocol agreed between Great British Energy and solar companies operating in the UK regarding supply chain validation from China.

      Solar Power: China

      To ask His Majesty's Government which UK-registered firms imported component parts for solar panels that include polycrystalline silicon from China; and how many of these components were sourced...

      Energy: Artificial Intelligence

      To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the deployment of AI technologies in the energy sector, for example in smart grids, fusion research and wider energy...

      United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

      To ask His Majesty's Government how much money they retained from the sale of part of the Atomic Energy Authority to a private sector operator in 1996.

  • Department for Education

    • Question

      To ask His Majesty's Government what role the Civil Society Covenant will play in the delivery of the National Year of Reading.

    • Question

      To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that every primary school is able to access volunteer support for teachers working to raise literacy levels.

      School Meals: Standards

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks of expanding free school meals in September before updated school food standards are implemented and enforced.

      Higher Education: National Security

      To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking in response to the warning by MI5's director general that hostile states are shaping research and teaching content, including the use...

      Universities: China

      To ask His Majesty's Government when they received a warning from MI5 of a threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party to British universities; and what action they have taken in response to...

      School Meals: Standards

      To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that updated school food standards are implemented before the planned expansion of free breakfast clubs in April and free...

      St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust

      To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial stability of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, including debt levels; and what assessment...

      Question

      To ask His Majesty's Government what targets they have set for raising literacy levels for year 7 students entering secondary education during the National Year of Reading.

  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

    • Israel: Occupied Territories

      To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish their formal response to the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and...

    • Chagos Islands

      To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to conclude negotiations with the government of the United States of America on amendments to the 1966 Exchange of Notes to ratify the...

  • Treasury

  • Northern Ireland Office

  • Cabinet Office

    • Public Appointments: Political Impartiality

      To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 19 January (HL13419), what was the title and grade of the most senior...

    • Public Appointments: Political Activities

      To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 19 January (HL13919), whether the Cabinet Office appointments database holds...

      Written Questions: Government Responses

      To ask His Majesty's Government what training and guidance Ministers and civil servants receive to ensure that answers to written questions comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code,...

      Self-assessment

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to incorporate self-assessment income tax data into the inter-departmental business register; if so, when they expect that data to be...

      Government Departments: Communication

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to seek a redesign of the Lesser Arms used in government communications; and if so, what is the maximum budget they have allocated for those plans.

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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