Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Physician Associate/Assistant Preceptorship Programme for primary care is open to newly qualified physician associates.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Following the publication of the Leng Review recommendations on 16 July 2025, NHS England has updated the eligibility criteria for the preceptorship in primary care for physician assistants (PAs), which are still legally known as physician associates.

In line with the recommendation that newly qualified PAs should gain at least two years of experience in secondary care, the scheme is only open to qualified PAs already employed in primary care, as of 16 July 2025, who have not undertaken a PA preceptorship.

NHS England has published a frequently asked questions document, a copy of which is attached, to provide further information and guidance on the implementation of The Leng Review. This confirms that the scheme will be honoured and continue for those employers and PAs currently participating in the programme this financial year.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to align the UK’s import policy with forthcoming EU measures prohibiting products from regions where antibiotics are used for growth promotion.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has begun negotiations with the EU on an SPS agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and removing barriers to trade for British producers and retailers.

The agreement will cover SPS standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules related to food labelling, organics, key marketing standards and compositional standards - as well as pesticides.

Detail as to what will be included in the scope of the agreement remains subject to negotiations, and we will not be providing a running commentary.

The use of antibiotics for growth promoters has been banned in the UK and the EU since 2006. With good farming practices, the UK does not consider that using antibiotics for growth promotion is necessary and strongly advocates for phasing out the use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion globally, in line with Codex standards and WOAH guidelines.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government why biomedia released from wastewater treatments plants is not treated as hazardous waste.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Water companies must ensure all reasonable measures are in place to prevent the unauthorised or accidental escape of bio-media from wastewater treatment works to the environment.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working alongside the water sector on an ongoing research project, led by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), looking at the complex issue of the impact of microplastics generated by wastewater treatment works.

In the event of any escape of bio-media from wastewater treatment works above permitted controls or that may cause significant pollution, Water Companies must immediately report this as a pollution incident to the EA, which will investigate and take necessary enforcement action. The Secretary of State for Defra has written to Water Companies to reiterate how unacceptable the pollution incident at Camber Sands is, and to stress the positive action Water Companies must take to ensure their infrastructure is functioning correctly.

Under waste regulations and mandatory guidance in place, waste bio-media classification depends on the properties of the specific material. Where it is above the relevant thresholds for hazardous properties, then it would be classified as a hazardous waste.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have offered any advice to the Royal Household regarding Royal Warrant Holders Association regarding welfare concerns in salmon farming.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has not offered any advice to the Royal Household regarding animal welfare concerns and salmon farming.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that polygenic screening carried out overseas is not used in embryo selection in British in vitro fertilisation clinics.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the United Kingdom wide regulator of fertility treatment. Pre-implantation genetic testing for polygenic disease is unlawful for use in the UK, as it does not meet the criteria set out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act for genetic testing. The law is very clear that the testing of embryos can only be carried out if there is a significant risk that a person with the abnormality will have or develop a serious physical or mental disability, a serious illness, or any other serious medical condition.

HFEA licensed clinics in the UK are responsible for selecting embryos based on what is permitted in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act and, therefore, should not offer such testing and subsequent treatment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they plan to have at the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and with the government of Saudi Arabia about the government of Saudi Arabia's refusal to ratify the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol on enrichment and reprocessing capabilities; and what assessment they have made of the government of Saudi Arabia's intentions regarding nuclear weapons.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Planning for the 2026 Review Conference is underway, including for outreach to a range of States' Parties, and our priority will be to ensure that the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains a vital pillar of international peace and security for decades to come. We will also use this Review Conference to underline UK support for the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards regime, including the universalisation of the Additional Protocol (AP). We routinely call on all states to abide by their NPT obligations and for states that have not yet done so to bring an AP into force as soon as possible, including - amongst others - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that (1) train companies allow use of reusable cups at onboard catering facilities, and (2) provide free drinking water on trains.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government does not plan to require train operating companies to allow use of reusable cups at onboard catering facilities and provide free drinking water onboard trains. Drinking water is now available onboard some trains and at many stations. Train operating companies are required to reduce waste and increase recycling annually, but the Government does not specify how these targets should be achieved.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) agricultural composting facilities, (2) green waste, and (3) crop residue piles, as potential reservoirs for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus; and what plans they have to improve surveillance of that issue.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In support of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan commitments, the Environment Agency (EA) actively carries out research into environmental transmission and risks associated with antimicrobial resistance. This includes research on monitoring antifungal resistance and bioaerosols.

The EA recognises the potential human health impacts of bioaerosols, particularly on the respiratory system. The EA actively regulates bioaerosol risks from waste treatment, including open composting of green wastes and digestate fibres. Regulated activities must hold a permit. Higher risk facilities monitor bioaerosol emissions including aspergillus fumigatus. These controls developed from over a decade of research collaboration with the EA, academia and industry.

External crop residue storage (non-waste) at anaerobic digestion (AD) sites does not require a permit. However, Defra has recently concluded a consultation on regulatory reform to include non-waste AD facilities. The reform has potential scope to align non-waste AD with regulated waste AD under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to penalise catering outlets for any unreasonable refusal to provide drinks in customer-owned reusable cups.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to reducing single‑use packaging waste and supporting packaging reuse. We recognise that many consumers wish to use their own reusable cups, and many businesses already accommodate this.

At present, we do not have plans to introduce penalties for catering outlets that decline to serve drinks in customer‑owned reusable cups.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to assess the level and effects of occupational formaldehyde exposure, particularly but not solely in the medical and veterinary fields; and what steps they plan to take to reduce damage to health from exposure.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) (COSHH) (as amended) is a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, including formaldehyde.

Under COSHH, it is the responsibility of each employer to assess the risk from their work activities involving formaldehyde and to ensure that the exposure of their employees to this hazardous substance is either prevented, or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

Where workers or members of the public have serious concerns regarding the compliance of individual employers with these regulations, these can be raised with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) where concerns are triaged, and appropriate action taken to ensure employers are adequately controlling the risks from working with formaldehyde.

HSE is also working with stakeholder groups to remind employers of their duty to protect their employees from the risks associated with working with formaldehyde.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to work with the environmental horticulture sector to review challenges around planning to incentivise growers and garden centres to install more onsite reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government is currently reviewing recommendations to enable the adoption of water reuse in the Independent Water Commission and will respond to these via a White Paper. We recognise the potential of the horticultural sector to take advantage of available rainwater and will review engagement opportunities with representatives as part of our policy development.

The government will also clarify the Planning Practice Guidance for the permitted development right that grants planning permission for the development of agricultural reservoirs.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that gardens and green spaces included in new developments are of a (1) high quality, and (2) minimum size.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that local plans should make sufficient provision for and maintain and enhance networks of green infrastructure, which includes both gardens and green spaces. Green infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green and blue spaces and other natural features, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits.

Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework helps to define what good green infrastructure ‘looks like’ for local planners, developers and communities. The Green Infrastructure Framework includes a standard on accessible greenspace which sets criteria on size, proximity and quality.

The government is consulting on changes to the NPPF, which include a new requirement for local plans to set out standards for green infrastructure, drawing upon Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Standards. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here (attached): National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system - GOV and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they plan to take to ensure low Earth orbit is treated as a commons for all humankind to share, with proper oversight and regulation, including to address the issue of light pollution affecting scientific research.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has commissioned studies into satellite‑related light pollution and continues to work closely with the scientific community to determine the most appropriate approaches to this issue. In addition, the UK actively engages bilaterally and multilaterally with international partners through the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to establish and uphold standards, norms, and best practices governing orbital activities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to establish a cross-departmental office for green spaces.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government does not plan to establish a new cross-departmental office for green spaces. Cross-government coordination will continue through the Parks Working Group, which brings together sector expertise with departmental representatives to improve parks and green spaces, with a focus on equality of access.

Improving access to green and blue spaces remains a priority. As part of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, the government has announced that it will bring forward an Access to Nature Green Paper to consult on proposals to improve and expand public access to the outdoors. Furthermore, the MHCLG-owned Green Flag Award sets the national standard for parks and green spaces aiming to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Local authorities play an important role in improving local green space. The Spending Review 2025 provides over £5 billion of new grant funding, most of which is unringfenced, over the next three years for local services that communities rely on.

Finally, the Pride in Place strategy will deliver up to £5 billion over ten years to up to 350 deprived neighbourhoods, supporting a wide range of community assets, including community green spaces.

Found: Letter dated 04/12/2025 from Lord Katz to Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle regarding a question raised