Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the work of the new Retail and Hospitality Envoy will extend to Scotland; and whether the Envoy will be engaging with representative bodies such as the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
At the recent Budget, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion the sector across Government. The detail of the role is being finalised, the Envoy will be expected to work collaboratively with Government departments, existing councils, trade bodies and businesses.
Retail and Hospitality policy in Scotland is still devolved and any matters relating specifically to Scottish Retail or Hospitality policy should be directed to the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Ming Yang opening a wind turbine manufacturing plant in the UK on energy security.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We cannot comment on individual investment cases, but maintaining a secure energy supply is a key priority for the UK Government. Investment into the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny, and we will continue to work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and ensure the UK remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the minutes of the Food Standards Agency’s Committee on Toxicity meeting of 25 March 2025; and whether he plans to hold discussions with the Food Standards Agency on the potential merits of (a) withdrawing its review of the safety of nitrites in processed meats, (b) publishing (i) correspondence, (ii) criteria and (iii) communications relating to its preparation and (c) commissioning a multidisciplinary study considering (A) animal, (B) human and (C) mechanistic evidence.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) review of nitrates and nitrites as food additives is an important piece of work and will not be withdrawn. Its purpose was to summarise recent evidence from human studies to inform policy decisions, rather than to provide a full risk assessment. Current policy continues to align with NHS dietary advice, which recommends limiting consumption of red and processed meat, some of which contain nitrites, to 70g per day. We understand public concern about potential long-term health effects, including cancer risk, and remain committed to monitoring emerging evidence closely.
To maintain transparency, the full report, including its scope, search criteria, and details of the external contract, has been published on Government websites. This allows stakeholders and the public to see exactly how the review was conducted and how conclusions were reached.
The published report clearly sets out the methodology and criteria used, providing clarity and confidence in the process. While the FSA does not routinely publish internal correspondence or preparatory communications, due to the potential inclusion of commercially sensitive or personal information, the report itself provides full transparency on the evidence base and decision-making approach.
There are no plans to commission a broader multidisciplinary study. Existing permitted nitrite levels are based on robust international risk assessments and remain appropriate to protect public health. Commissioning a new study would require significant resource and is not justified without new evidence indicating a change in risk.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has had discussions with the Scottish Government on (a) joining or (b) contributing to the work of the Retail Industry Leadership Group.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The Scotland Office is not a member of the Retail Industry Leadership Group, which is co-chaired by Ministers of the Scottish Government. The Group was established by the Scottish Government in 2022. The Scotland Office maintains close contacts with industry across Scotland, including the retail sector, and champions them overseas through the Brand Scotland programme.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on their statements on Israel.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy is reserved to the UK Government. Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. All our international partners understand that this is the UK’s position.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on (a) promoting the safety of ethnic minority groups, (b) raising awareness of antisemitism and (c) protecting Jews in Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Public safety is devolved to the Scottish Government. The Scotland Office regularly engages with Police Scotland on the safety of all our communities. The Government is clear that there is no place or justification for antisemitism.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of Viaro Energy controlling 5 per cent of the UK’s total gas production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is unable to comment on the specifics of any individual project or the investment decisions of individual operators while the regulatory process is underway. This is a matter for the North Sea Transition Authority.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of Shell and ExxonMobil’s divestments in the North Sea.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is unable to comment on the specifics of any individual project or the investment decisions of individual operators while the regulatory process is underway. This is a matter for the North Sea Transition Authority.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had on the continued purchase of crude oil stocks not already held at the Prax Lindsey oil refinery site to allow the refinery to continue operating.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.
The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.
Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Official Receiver at the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on the purchase of crude oil to allow the site to continue operating.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.
The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.
Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.