Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the nations and regions of Great Britain will be reflected in the governance structure of Great British Railways.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Railways Bill will include a statutory role for devolved governments and Mayoral Strategic Authorities in governing, planning, managing, and developing the railway under Great British Railways (GBR). We have had continuous proactive and productive engagement with Scottish and Welsh Government Officials and Ministers throughout the Bills development. This engagement will ensure that the Devolved Governments are represented within Great British Railways governance.
Great British Railways (GBR) will work collaboratively with devolved leaders and local stakeholders to ensure rail services meet local needs. Empowered local GBR business units will engage with devolved and local authorities on their priorities and strategies.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which organisation is leading strategy for the transfer from (a) the privately owned train operating companies to the Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) and (b) from DfTO to Great British Railways.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Public Ownership Programme Directorate has been established in the Department to oversee and manage the transfer of passenger services from private ownership into public ownership.
DfT is the lead Government Department for the rail sector transformation programme which includes the creation of Great British Railways and the coming together of more than 17 existing organisations – including Network Rail, the Rail Delivery Group, DFTO, parts of DfT, and 14 separate Train Operating Companies – into a single organisation.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what mechanism the DfT Operator Limited and Network Rail will be brought into Great British Railways.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
GBR will integrate track and train and bring together activities from more than 17 existing organisations – including Network Rail and DFTO. To avoid delay resulting from highly complex transfers of assets, people and contracts that would otherwise be required during implementation, GBR will be created out of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the (a) Southeastern and Network Rail Alliance and (b) proposed Anglia Railways will be integrated into Great British Railways.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Southeastern alliance and Anglia Railways will trailblaze what an integrated railway can do. Integrating track and train at a local level is at the heart of the vision for GBR.
GBR will integrate track and train and bring together activities from more than 17 existing organisations – including Network Rail and the DFTO into a single organisation.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with trade unions on the formation of Anglia Railways.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department and our industry partners, Network Rail and DFT Operator, have regular discussions with trade unions on a range of topics, including rail reform, of which integrated management arrangements are one part. The formation of integrated management arrangements across track and train, such as South Eastern Railway already established, is led by Network Rail and DFT Operator.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterpart calling for the immediate unconditional release of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya from custody.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I remain deeply disturbed by the ongoing detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and other medical staff from Gaza. We continue to call on Israel to clarify the reasons for the detention of Dr Abu Safiya and other medical personnel, and to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities.
I have specifically raised Dr Hussam Abu Safiya's case with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Israel's ambassador to the UK. We are urging Israel to clarify the reasons for his detention, to allow medical workers to carry out their work safely and without hindrance, and to provide detainees with access to legal representation.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information he holds on the (a) status and (b) health of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I remain deeply disturbed by the ongoing detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and other medical staff from Gaza. We continue to call on Israel to clarify the reasons for the detention of Dr Abu Safiya and other medical personnel, and to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities.
I have specifically raised Dr Hussam Abu Safiya's case with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Israel's ambassador to the UK. We are urging Israel to clarify the reasons for his detention, to allow medical workers to carry out their work safely and without hindrance, and to provide detainees with access to legal representation.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of 4 June 2025 on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Official Report, Column 338, who will carry out an independent investigation into mass casualty incidents at aid sites in Gaza; and when that independent investigation will be completed.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid sites. On 2 June, the UN Secretary-General called for an immediate and independent investigation into these incidents. We have echoed this call, including during a meeting of the UN Security Council on 4 June. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has stated it is conducting investigations into some incidents. We continue to push for any investigations to be thorough, transparent and for perpetrators to be brought to account. We are unaware of any other investigations underway at present. The UK does not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of 4 June 2025 on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Official Report, Column 338, (a) how and (b) when his Department will review the impact of actions announced on 20 May 2025; and whether he has a deadline for Israel to cease military action in Gaza before further action is taken.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to review our policy in relation to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. On 20 May 2025, the UK sanctioned three individuals, two illegal outposts and two organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. On 10 June the UK, acting alongside Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway, went on to sanction Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, in their personal capacities, in response to their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities. As I have been clear, we urgently need to see a return to a ceasefire and a rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and I continue to press Israeli counterparts on this.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral contribution of 4 June 2025, Official Report, column 338, if he will make an estimate of the value of the humanitarian relief funded by his Department that has reached Palestinians in Gaza in the 2025-26 financial year.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is doing all we can to alleviate suffering. On 28 April, the UK announced a package of support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including £101 million for humanitarian aid, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform. Our aid has supported over 465,000 patient consultations, provided at least 647,000 people with food and almost 300,000 people have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. Due to the complex operating environment and limited real-time data, it is difficult to quantify the volume of aid that has been supplied and aid that is currently awaiting entry.