Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to protect the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Current legislation already provides protection for farmed fish kept for the production of meat or other products whilst on farm and during transport. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, including fish, or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of a protected animal, for which that person is responsible. Legislation on the protection of animals at the time of killing also requires that farmed fish are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.
The Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing was finalised in 2023. A copy is attached to this answer. As a result of this a GB-wide joint government and industry working group on farmed trout has been examining the issues raised in the report to explore potential options for more detailed welfare at killing requirements. This co-design work is making good progress. The Scottish Government is also working closely with the salmon industry regarding more detailed welfare at killing requirements. We are awaiting the completion of this group’s work and we will then explore all the potential next steps, including options for creating detailed guidance and new legislation.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Prime Minister's comments in the MoneySavingExpert leaders' debate during the 2024 general election, what steps they are taking to work with local leaders to publicise council tax discounts for those entitled to them.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government has continued the previous government’s policy of making information on council tax support freely available through the Plain English Guide to Council Tax. We expect councils to work with residents to ensure they are receiving the support they are entitled to. We have committed to consult on ways in which we can improve the transparency of council tax bills, as a part of this we will seek views on how councils can better publicise support.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of their discussions on a proposed new security and defence pact with the EU, whether they intend to make a financial contribution to the EU as part of any such arrangements; and whether it is their position that there should be a link between those discussions and other aspects of their negotiations to "reset" the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are ready to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership agreement with the EU which builds on the EU’s existing partnership agreements with other third countries, while recognising the unique nature of our security relationship. We are ready to look at strengthening our wider cooperation with the EU on defence and security matters, given the shared challenges facing us both, but as we’ve consistently said, we won’t be giving a running commentary on our discussions with the EU.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific outcomes they expect from the UK–EU summit on 19 May.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Prime Minister and President of the European Commission have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the UK and EU. We are working with the EU to identify areas where we can strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit, such as the economy, energy, security and resilience.
The UK-EU Summit on 19 May will provide an opportunity to make further progress on areas which will deliver tangible benefits, for those in the UK and the EU on making people safer, more secure and more prosperous. We will set out further details in due course.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to retain full UK control over all fishing rights in UK waters, as agreed in the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, from 1 July 2026.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Our fisheries relationship with the EU is governed by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) which provides reciprocal access to waters during a five-and-a-half-year adjustment period until 31 June 2026. After 31 June 2026, EU access to UK waters (and vice versa) becomes a matter for annual negotiation under the TCA, as is typical between coastal States.
We know that the EU want a new multi-year access agreement, and we will to listen to what they have to say. We will protect the interests of our fishing communities and fulfil our commitments to protect the marine environment.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the local elections which have been delayed until next year will definitely take place in May 2026.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The 2026 local elections will include those postponed from May 2025, and those already or to be scheduled for any area in 2026.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador will commence.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minister confirmed the appointment of Lord Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America on Friday 20 December. He started the role on 10 February 2025.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date was the decision to name HMS Achilles agreed by the Government; which Minister had final sign off on the naming process; and on what basis was the name HMS Agincourt ruled out.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee, ahead of approval by Ministry of Defence Ministers and His Majesty The King.
There are no current plans to rename any other Royal Navy ships.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister has spoken to Vice President Vance of the United States since the latter took office, and if not, when he plans to do so.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on 26 January and congratulated him on his inauguration.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have discussed the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States with the Trump administration since President Trump took office, and whether the Prime Minister and President Trump have discussed this appointment.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on 26 January, and the Foreign Secretary spoke to Secretary of State Rubio on 27 January. Lord Mandelson is going through the normal onboarding processes for a new Ambassador, and we expect him to take up his new post in the coming weeks.