Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will made an assessment of the potential merits of changing the Smart Energy Code licence restrictions to allow companies setting up smart meter connections for energy consumers to use the Cellular Network when the Radio Frequency Network is unavailable.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Under its licence, the Data Communication Company (DCC) is obligated to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.5% of premises across its ‘North’ region.
DCC is currently taking forward its strategy for ongoing communications in the North and is considering a full range of technical solutions.
Once the DCC has determined its future strategy the Department will support necessary changes being made to the Smart Energy Code.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the (a) national unity government and (b) ethnic revolutionary organisations from Myanmar.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to meet regularly with a range of pro-democracy actors from Myanmar, including senior representatives from the National Unity Government (NUG) and from a number of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs). The UK stands in solidarity with those calling for a return to democracy in Myanmar and we are committed to supporting a plurality of voices. The UK is clear that any future settlement for Myanmar, must be inclusive, and involve a wide range of opposition actors, including the NUG and EROs. The Myanmar military regime must engage with them and all other opposition groups.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to repeal the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Victims) Act 2021.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
We have no plans to repeal the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Department leads on the International Criminal Court Act 2001.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Policy on the International Criminal Court (ICC), including the ICC Act (2001), is owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of recent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment on pensioners in Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government is supporting pensioners through increasing pension credit uptake and protecting the triple lock. This means an increase in the state pension for a million Scottish pensioners of up to £470 next year, on top of up to £900 this year.
This year marks twenty five years since the previous Labour Government delivered devolution in Scotland, one of its proudest achievements. I understand the SNP Government plans to use some of their record budget settlement to make different choices on this devolved policy area - that’s devolution in action. The Honourable Gentleman may wish to ask himself how he can justify voting against Scotland getting that record settlement.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to respond to the recommendations of the report entitled Strengthening UK Military Investigations into Civilian Harm, published by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights on 26 November 2024.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I thank the hon. Member for raising this report with the Department.
Where the UK undertakes military action, it is conducted in full accordance with UK and international law.
Military action is meticulously planned in accordance with the recognised IHL principles of proportionality, military necessity, distinction and humanity, as well as in line with relevant policies such as the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict; Joint Service Publication 985 – Human Security in Defence. Great care is taken to minimise the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and this sits at the core of our approach.
Working level discussions are ongoing between Ministry of Defence officials, our allies, and civil society organisations to share and promote best practice on civilian harm mitigation.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Dutch Ministry of Defence on civilian harm mitigation and response.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Working level discussions have taken place between officials from the Ministry of Defence and Dutch Ministry of Defence on civilian harm mitigation and response. This has also included officials from the US Department of Defence as well as officials from Defence Ministries of other allies. The aim of these discussions is to advance engagement between allies on sharing and promoting best practice on civilian harm mitigation within respective Armed Forces.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to implement a mechanism to ensure that intelligence information shared with the Israeli government is used within the boundaries of international humanitarian law, and what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring that any information provided is used in compliance with international humanitarian law.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities. The MOD has robust policies, practices and processes which are entirely consistent with our legal obligations under domestic and international law.
The Secretary of State for Defencec, and MOD officials, have regular discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the remaining hostages and other matters, including complying with International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring that any information gathered by unarmed RAF surveillance flights over Gaza can be used solely in relation to locating Israeli hostages.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities. The MOD has robust policies, practices and processes which are entirely consistent with our legal obligations under domestic and international law.
The Secretary of State for Defencec, and MOD officials, have regular discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the remaining hostages and other matters, including complying with International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has established a process for the (a) assessment and (b) retention of evidence gathered by unarmed RAF surveillance flights over Gaza.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only. We are unable comment further on detailed intelligence matters for operational security reasons.