Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any concerns were raised before the proposed meeting between the Prime Minister and the head of Palantir on 27 February 2025.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided to HC86672 on 7 November 2025, which is reproduced below for ease of reference:

Officials from our Embassy in Washington arranged this trip in the normal way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government which departments were involved in producing a briefing for (1) the planned visit to the Palantir showroom in Washington in February 2025, and (2) the meeting between the Prime Minister and the head of Palantir on 27 February 2025.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided to HC86672 on 7 November 2025, which is reproduced below for ease of reference:

Officials from our Embassy in Washington arranged this trip in the normal way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774-1), whether they will publish the completed conflict of interest declaration form by Lord Mandelson; and what was the (1) proposed action, or (2) action agreed, if any, on that form for his declaration of shareholdings in Global Counsel.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I provided her on 17 March in response to Question HL15043.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have authorised any strikes on Iranian civilian medical facilities by US planes using UK military bases.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations’ military operations.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases by foreign partners are considered on a case-by-case basis. All UK operational support to allies and partners is considered in terms of legality.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of Global Counsel in helping their clients to access Government contracts.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Departments are responsible for making their own procurement decisions including conducting supplier due diligence and assessment.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons why the Consumer Council for Water's (CCW's) annual report and accounts for 2023–24 and 2024–25 have not yet been published; and whether any issues regarding CCW's governance, internal control, regularity, propriety, remuneration, expenses or audit have been raised by the National Audit Office, the council's board or officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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

The delay on CCW’s annual report and accounts for 2023-24 and 2024-25 is due to an issue requiring clarification regarding charging. CCW are cooperating with the National Audit Office and are working closely to ensure a sign-off on the accounts is completed as soon as possible. CCW has stated they have not gone over budget. Defra regularly carries out performance reviews with CCW, as required by the CCW Framework Document, to ensure CCW is delivering on its objectives and providing value for money, including on complaints handling. Putting customers first is a key pillar of the Government's White Paper and Defra will continue working with CCW to deliver strengthened consumer advocacy.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 13 February (HL14187), whether National Highways produced a completion report for the infilling work on Ridge Road Bridge; and if so, whether that report recorded the south span of Ridge Road Bridge as (1) infilled, or (2) not infilled.

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

In line with current practice, the supervisor (contracted by National Highways) reported progress weekly and therefore no completion report was required.

National Highways has confirmed that the south span was ultimately found not to be fully infilled.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 13 February (HL14187), whether a hole was drilled through the south span of Ridge Road Bridge to check its infill status 12 months after the infilling was completed.

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

National Highways has confirmed a hole was drilled in the south span of Ridge Road Bridge approx. 12 months after completion of infilling.

The original plan of November 2015 included the infilling of the south span along with the north & centre spans. Since finding the void in the south span, in 2023 National Highways did not progress with the original planned works as local active travel groups asked if the south span could be used as a potential active travel route. Since finding the void, National Highways has confirmed it has no safety concerns.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 13 February (HL14187), whether the original National Highways plans intended for the south span of Ridge Road Bridge to be infilled.

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

National Highways has confirmed a hole was drilled in the south span of Ridge Road Bridge approx. 12 months after completion of infilling.

The original plan of November 2015 included the infilling of the south span along with the north & centre spans. Since finding the void in the south span, in 2023 National Highways did not progress with the original planned works as local active travel groups asked if the south span could be used as a potential active travel route. Since finding the void, National Highways has confirmed it has no safety concerns.