Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to introducing enforceable duties on chief officers of police to ensure that officers comply with (1) the "Believe, React, Fast" duty to require a prompt and appropriate response to reports of domestic abuse and rape and serious sexual offences, including risk assessment, recording and safeguarding, and (2) the Gaia Principle, campaigned for by the Gemini Project, requiring diligent identification and consideration of all relevant intelligence relating to suspects.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We expect all reports of a sexual offence to be treated seriously from the point of disclosure. Police officers must follow all reasonable lines of enquiry, and this includes seeking out relevant information on suspects in VAWG offences.
The National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection is supporting police forces to implement Operation Soteria, helping ensure sexual offence investigations are always suspect-focused, and rolling out Raneem’s Law to embed independent domestic abuse specialists in police control rooms.
Police officers are already required to act diligently in the exercise of their duties, as part of the statutory standards of professional behaviour, a breach of which can result in disciplinary action. In addition, the Code of Ethics, published by the College of Policing in 2024, includes guidance on ethical and professional behaviour in policing. This makes it clear that the police must “gather, verify and assess all appropriate and available information”, which correlates with the policing commitment to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry.
The recently published Police Reform White Paper outlined this Government’s commitment to drive quality, consistency and efficiency in policing and ensure it is set up to deliver for the public. These reforms will create a more consistent service by holding police forces accountable for delivery, supported by new powers to intervene where forces fall short.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have been briefed on all targets in Iran allocated to United States planes taking off from UK bases; and whether there is an assessment process to ensure that those targets are defensive targets.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March, the Government agreed to a US request to use UK bases for specific and limited defensive purposes against facilities in Iran which are involved in launching strikes at regional allies.
On 20 March, the Prime Minister announced this was expanded to allow the US to use UK bases to conduct defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
All UK support to allies for operational purposes considers the legal basis and policy rationale for any proposed activity.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish proposals for Stage 4 fisheries management measures for marine protected areas.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Stage 4 Marine Protected Areas are sites designated to protect highly mobile species such as seabirds and harbour porpoise. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has been talking to stakeholders about options for managing the impacts of fishing on these sites. The MMO is now analysing all the feedback it has received, including through an earlier call for evidence, and will decide on what management measures it thinks is needed to protect these species.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will review the potential for the industrial hemp sector to create skilled jobs and support rural employment across the UK.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the industrial hemp sector has huge potential across the UK to unlock new revenue streams beyond its value as an agricultural commodity such as textiles, sustainable building materials, biofuels and manufactured items.
The Defra-funded Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCCC) project, run by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, will continue to bring together businesses, growers, experts and other stakeholders across a range of high carbon capture cropping options, including hemp. The project will evaluate economic returns and validate anticipated climate change mitigation and emissions outcomes by discussion, rigorous testing and life cycle analysis.
Industry input will continue to be key to policy development, ensuring government policies are practical and deliver improvements that support growth in the sector.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce reliance on high-density or industrialised farming systems in order to improve animal welfare standards.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare.
The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they will work with industry to address welfare concerns associated with large-scale intensive farming operations.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare.
The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of intensive livestock production systems on animal welfare outcomes in England.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare.
The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support the development and adoption of new technologies in agriculture to improve animal welfare outcomes.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra announced new opportunities for farmers to apply for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund at the NFU Conference on 24 February, with £50 million of funding allocated for 2026. Applications opened on 17 March; farmers can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 towards the cost of a list of equipment items that deliver improvements in the health and welfare of their animals. The list includes items specifically intended to increase adoption of new technology for health and welfare outcomes including automated welfare monitoring systems using remote devices, lameness and body condition scoring systems, and environmental monitoring and control systems for livestock housing.
The Government also supports the development of new technologies to improve animal welfare outcomes through its research programmes, including through funding directly from Defra and through UK Research and Innovation. Across species, some examples of funded projects include development of new methods for emergency killing of pigs; developing autonomous, non-invasive technologies to support welfare monitoring in aquaculture; and support to develop AI-driven tools to assess animal emotional wellbeing. The Farming Innovation Programme also supports research and development of agri-technology and innovative solutions for farmers and growers with multiple projects aiming to support animal welfare outcomes.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they were aware of the link between Peter Mandelson and Global Counsel when he was made Ambassador to the USA; and, if so, whether any advice was given to civil servants regarding that link and how to deal with any conflict of interest.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date Shaft No.4 at the Queensbury Tunnel was last fully inspected by examiners using rope access.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Examiners last inspected Shaft No.4 of the Queensbury Tunnel using rope access on 26 October 2015.
Shaft 4 has annual visual exams; the last one was carried out in September 2025.