Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation her Department has undertaken with the construction industry in advance of a reduction in the maximum operating weight for a volumetric concrete mobile plant.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A call for evidence conducted from October to December 2023 was an opportunity for interested parties, including the construction industry, to present evidence, but it did not reveal significant new evidence supporting a change in policy.

The decision announced reflects the continuation of the existing policy, as set out in 2018, that the temporary weight exemption for VCMs will come to an end in 2028.

My Department engaged with hon. Members and industry stakeholders through correspondence prior to the publication of the outcome of the call for evidence.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) help tackle the issue of dangerous dog breeds and (b) encourage responsible dog ownership.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is continuing to work with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to explore measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog.

Found: As Adam Thompson MP set out very eloquently in his later contribution to the same debate, the practice